As the weather continues to get warmer and more people start to turn towards water sports, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reminding recreators, including kayakers, to help prevent the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species, or ANS.
Aquatic Nuisance Species are invasive plants and animals that get into lakes, reservoirs, and streams. They can also include pathogens and diseases like viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) or whirling disease that infect fish. The Colorado Aquatic Nuisance Species Act and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Aquatic Nuisance Species Program both work to fight the spread of these invasive species.
To prevent the spread, Colorado asks that recreators clean their gear whether it’s a full motor boat, kayak, paddle board, or anything else that goes in the water. Watercrafts, including motorized boats, sailboats and jet skis must receive a mandatory inspection before entering any waters in the state. Inspection sites can be found here.
For paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, rafts, inner tubes, water skis, and surf boards, CPW asks that you make sure to clean, drain, and dry after every use. Extra, more in depth steps need to be taken for both fishing gear and scuba gear. You can find those guidelines here.
Gear cleaning stations for ANS prevention are available across the state, and more are on their way. Head to one of these many locations to make sure you aren’t responsible for contaminating a body of water.
