Colorado is waging a full-on war against invasive mussels, and last year that meant scrubbing down more than 30,000 boats before they hit the water. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) says those decontaminations were part of an expanded effort that stretched across lake boat ramps and roadside checkpoints, all aimed at keeping the state's lakes and reservoirs clear of the tiny shell-clingers. Boaters can expect more of the same this spring and summer, with continued inspections and new infrastructure designed to move people through the decontamination process faster, without cutting corners on safety.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Aquatic Nuisance Species staff carried out 438,272 watercraft inspections during the 2025 season and decontaminated 30,039 high-risk boats. Inspectors intercepted 136 watercraft already fouled with invasive mussels and required any motorized boat carrying mussels to go through mandatory decontamination. CPW highlighted Pueblo Reservoir, Chatfield, Horsetooth, Boyd Lake and Cherry Creek as some of the busiest inspection hubs, and noted that roadside ports-of-entry have been expanded to catch more high-risk traffic before it ever reaches the ramp.
The numbers got extra attention in local coverage and video from CBS News Colorado, which showed decontamination crews hosing down hulls and flushing out engines. The report doubled down on a key point from state officials: even a little leftover water or a few attached mussels can be enough to move the species into a new water body. That is why outreach materials keep repeating the same three-word mantra for boaters: clean, drain, and dry, as CPW ramps up inspections ahead of warmer weather.
Where checks and cleaning stations grew
To keep lines from backing up and to snag risky boats before launch, CPW has added and expanded gear-cleaning stations around the state. The idea is simple: get more equipment cleaned, more quickly, before it ever touches a lake or reservoir. Local public radio has described those stations as central to this year's strategy. KUNC reported that the program has broadened its focus beyond traditional motorboats to include paddleboards, kayaks and other non-motorized craft, since even small vessels can haul mussel larvae in pockets of standing water.
Western Slope finds and an 'infested' stretch
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, a one-day sampling blitz in October turned up adult zebra mussels near Rifle and within Glenwood Canyon. That discovery was enough for CPW to classify parts of the Colorado River as infested. In response, the agency has expanded sampling to ponds and irrigation systems that receive Colorado River water, looking for any sign that the mussels are spreading beyond the main channel.
Why the mussels matter beyond the shoreline
Once zebra and quagga mussels gain a foothold, they do not just stick to rocks. They reproduce at high speed, strip out plankton that native species rely on, and can carpet the inside of pipes, valves and hydropower equipment. That kind of buildup leads to expensive repairs and ongoing operational problems for utilities and irrigation districts. National coverage has chronicled how past infestations have run up massive bills while damaging ecosystems and infrastructure in other regions, a warning shot for the West. The Washington Post has reported on the scale of the economic threat as mussel infestations move across Western waters.
What boaters should do
Officials are asking anyone who hits the water to follow the same basic playbook every time. Boaters should clean, drain, and dry every part of their vessels and gear between uses, use hot water or high-pressure rinses whenever they are available and alert authorities if they see suspicious shells or growths so experts can identify them. The National Park Service and state agencies publish detailed how-to guides and maintain lists of approved decontamination stations for people traveling between infested and non-infested waters. National Park Service guidance spells out specific contact times and temperatures for disinfecting boats and equipment.
Colorado's season of heightened inspections shows how agencies are trying to buy time, tracking down new populations on the Western Slope while building faster decontamination options across the state. Officials say they can expand checkpoints and staff, but they also stress that public vigilance, from anglers to casual paddleboarders, will be key to keeping reservoirs open and the state's water infrastructure running smoothly.
