Celebrating Colorado’s River Champions

Celebrating Colorado’s River Champions

At the Fall Rendezvous in Glenwood Springs, Colorado Trout Unlimited gathered to recognize the people and chapters who are helping protect and recover Colorado’s rivers. Nearly 100 members joined the celebration to honor volunteers, partners, and leaders whose dedication continues to strengthen the future of wild and native trout.

Silver Trout Award

Joel Evans

The Silver Trout award recognizes lifetime contributions toward trout conservation in Colorado, and recipients are nominated and selected by vote of past Silver Trout award winners. In 2025, Joel Evans of Montrose was selected for the award, recognizing his longstanding leadership with the Gunnison Gorge Anglers chapter and the Colorado Council. Joel helped champion conservation efforts for the Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge including the National Conservation Area designation; habitat restoration on the Uncompahgre in Montrose; and partnerships for restoring the San Miguel near Telluride. Joel also served as a Regional Vice President and twice as Treasurer of Colorado TU.

River Champion Conservation Leadership

Chris Kennedy
For decades, retired US Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Chris Kennedy has been a leader in restoring Colorado’s state fish, the greenback cutthroat trout. Chris has spearheaded research and conservation projects in and around Rocky Mountain National Park, often leading volunteers deep into the backcountry on meaningful project work. He has also been a key figure in researching historic stocking and shaping modern genetic broodstock management to support native trout recovery.

River Champion Industry Partner

Telluride Outside and John Duncan
Telluride Outside and John Duncan have been long-time supporters of the Gunnison Gorge Anglers and champions for the San Miguel River. Their mission, “Protect what we love,” resonates throughout their conservation work. Their leadership with Troutapalooza has supported local conservation and education efforts including the Telluride Valley Floor project, donating more than 100,000 dollars in goods and services over the past 15 years. They also host Camp Caddis to engage and inspire young people in fly fishing and conservation.

River Champion Landowner

Brent Mefford
When the Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife began planning greenback cutthroat trout restoration in Rock Creek and Black Canyon, they found the ideal landowner partner in Brent Mefford. In a fortunate alignment, Brent previously worked as a fish passage specialist with the Bureau of Reclamation. He not only welcomed restoration efforts on his family’s ranch and helped secure landowner grants, but also designed the temporary and permanent fish barriers that made the project possible and set the stage for future reintroduction efforts.

River Champion Chapter

Grand Valley Anglers
The Grand Valley Anglers exemplify what it means to be an outstanding chapter. Their work includes thoughtful youth education, inclusive community events, and ongoing support for trout conservation throughout the region. Their efforts extend from the Gunnison River to the Grand Mesa lakes to the Roan Plateau, demonstrating a strong commitment to stewardship and community connection.

River Champion Education

Gunnison Gorge Anglers and Ed Kehoe
Cottonwood Days is a longstanding collaboration among Gunnison Gorge Anglers, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management, and other local organizations. Since 2008, sixth graders from the North Fork Valley, Delta, Olathe, and Montrose schools have taken part in this field-based experience at Cottonwood Campground. For 17 years, Ed Kehoe and GGA volunteers have taught fly tying, entomology, and fly fishing basics to an estimated 5,600 students, planting the seeds of river stewardship for the next generation.

River Champion Project

Denver TU Carp Slam XIX
The 2025 Carp Slam set a new record, raising more than 70,000 dollars to support restoration, water quality monitoring, education, and river cleanups along the Denver South Platte. Beyond fundraising, the Carp Slam has helped reshape how Denver views its urban river. Over 19 years, the event has engaged local anglers and partners and encouraged wider community investment in a healthier South Platte.

John Connolly Chapter Communications Award

Collegiate Peaks Chapter
The Collegiate Peaks Chapter was recognized for strong chapter communication, including an active website, social media presence, and a consistent and informative newsletter. Serving a region that spans more than 80 miles of the Arkansas River presents unique challenges, yet the chapter continues to keep members and partners engaged and informed.

River Champion Distinguished Service

Martin Harris
As the lead volunteer for Trout in the Classroom in Colorado, Martin has played a key role in growing the program to nearly 90 tanks statewide. He also helped build meaningful partnerships in the metro area, including a community tank at CSU Spur. His commitment and creativity continue to strengthen hands-on water education for students across Colorado.

President’s Award

2025 Youth Camp Staff
Colorado Trout Unlimited President Barbara Luneau presented a special award to the volunteer staff of the 2025 Youth Camp for their leadership during an unexpected wildfire evacuation. On the very first day of camp, the staff guided campers through an evacuation drill, then hours later put those procedures into action when a fire ignited on the property. The staff handled the situation with calm professionalism, ensured the safety of every camper, and later helped restore the full camp experience in fishing, conservation, and community building.

River Champion Volunteer Recognition

Colorado Trout Unlimited also recognized the following volunteers for outstanding service:

• Bob Clark, West Denver
  Bob has been a dedicated volunteer and one of the chapter’s most visible leaders through public events, Clear Creek cleanups, volunteer coordination, and raffle fundraising.

• Tony Eason, Colorado River Headwaters
  Tony is a dependable volunteer across the headwaters region and has helped lead a 33 percent increase in chapter membership over the past two years.

• Ashley Giles, West Denver
  Ashley has brought technical expertise to citizen science efforts, Stream Management Plan work, and advocacy for wetland and water protections across Colorado.

• Rick Kahn, Rocky Mountain Flycasters
  Rick’s decades of experience with CPW, the Forest Service, and the National Park Service helped strengthen collaboration on the Poudre Headwaters Project, Colorado’s largest native trout recovery effort.

• Patrick Mapes, Denver
  Patrick has championed conservation of the South Platte and led the Denver Carp Slam through rebranding and continued fundraising success.

• Kevin Milder, San Luis Valley
  Kevin has supported many chapter efforts and brought special leadership to youth engagement with Trout in the Classroom, the first TU student chapter, and a Watershed Ambassadors program at Monte Vista High School.

These river champions show what is possible when people care deeply about their home waters. Their leadership, creativity, and persistence strengthen conservation across Colorado. To every volunteer, partner, supporter, and chapter member, thank you. Every river needs a champion, and this community continues to live that belief.

All award photos

Introducing Colorado TU’s Gear Libraries

Introducing Colorado TU’s Gear Libraries: Expanding Access, Opportunity, and Conservation Across the State 

Colorado TU is excited to share a major new addition to our statewide educational programs: Colorado TU Gear Libraries. These libraries are designed to open more doors and opportunities for youth, community members, Chapters, and partner organizations. By providing gear, equipment, and environmental education kits—free of charge—participants get outside, learn new things together, and connect with Colorado’s waters. 

For years, our Chapters and partner organizations have been running inspiring events, camps, and educational programs, many with their own gear and equipment. Colorado TU is looking to streamline our Gear Library processes and increase access to equipment. By offering loaner kits stocked with environmental education tools, fly fishing equipment, and instructional resources, we’re making it easier than ever to introduce people to conservation, fly fishing, and increase connection with their home waters. 

We currently have four Gear Library locations across the state, and we’re just getting started. Over the next few years, Colorado TU plans to grow the program to reach even more communities, especially groups who have historically had limited access to outdoor gear. With your help, these libraries will become a shared resource that strengthens conservation, education, and connection statewide. 

What Gear Libraries Will Accomplish 

• Reach & Access: We want every person (young and old) to experience fly fishing, explore streams, and engage in hands on environmental learning. Expanding gear availability helps us reach more youth programs, schools, and community groups, especially in underserved areas. 

• Program Support: With high quality, reliable gear, our libraries give Chapters and partners the tools they need to run successful programs.  

• Capacity Building: As the program grows, we are training volunteers and staff in gear management and program support, keeping the libraries organized, sustainable, and ready to serve Colorado communities. 

Join Us in Growing the Gear Library Program 

To help support this expansion, we are currently seeking a Lead Volunteer Gear Library Coordinator. This volunteer position is a flexible, mostly remote position, and we anticipate needing about 10–15 volunteer hours per month. This volunteer will play a key role in maintaining gear, supporting Chapters, and helping shape the future of the program. If you or someone you know is passionate about conservation, youth engagement, and creating accessible outdoor experiences, we’d love to hear from you. 

Click here to review the volunteer position and submit an interest form by December 15. Our goal is to welcome the new coordinator in early 2026. 

Colorado’s rivers need people who care, learn, and step forward. By expanding access to gear and hands-on learning tools, we’re helping remove barriers so more individuals can explore the outdoors and discover why healthy rivers matter. This program has the potential to strengthen communities, spark curiosity, and grow the next generation of conservation leaders.

Thank you for being part of this work. With your support and involvement, Colorado TU Gear Libraries will become a lasting resource that helps more people feel welcome on the water, connect with wild and native trout, and take part in protecting the places we all value.

Waiting on Winter, Watching Our Water

Colorado knows how to keep us guessing. One minute we are waiting for that first real storm, the next we are wondering whether winter plans to show up at all. So far, November has been quiet. Warm days, dry nights, and clear skies have stretched across the state. The Denver metro area has yet to see its first flurry, and in the mountains, snowpack remains well below what we expect for this time of year.

Right now, many snow-monitoring stations are recording only a fraction of normal levels. In places like the Yampa and upper Colorado headwaters, snowpack has been hovering in the teens. The South Platte Basin is around a quarter of average. Soil moisture across much of the state is already low after a dry summer and fall, which means the first snow doesn’t just sit on the surface and build. Instead, it disappears into the ground like a sponge. That can delay the moment when water begins to accumulate as true snowpack.

If you spend time outdoors, you can probably feel the difference. Rivers are running lower. Landscapes are holding more browns and golds than whites. Ski resorts are opening with help from snowmaking machines rather than natural storms.

For those of us working to protect wild and native trout and the rivers they depend on, slow starts like this come with concern. Snowpack is more than a backdrop to winter recreation. It is the backbone of Colorado’s water year. It feeds the Roaring Fork, the Poudre, the Gunnison, the South Platte, the San Miguel, the Dolores, the Arkansas, the Colorado River, and every stream and tributary in between. It shapes habitat conditions, spawning success, water quality, and the seasonal pulse that makes rivers thrive.

Still, there is room for hope. Colorado weather has a way of shifting quickly. We have seen patterns like this turn around before. A single storm can make a measurable difference, and a string of storms can change the entire trajectory of winter. Meteorologists are watching signs of a pattern change later this month that may finally bring colder air and more moisture to higher elevations.

The truth is, we are still early in the season. Snowpack typically climbs through late April, and some of Colorado’s strongest storms often arrive in March and April. A late surge is always possible, and even a weak start does not always mean a weak finish.

Until the clouds return, Colorado TU will continue doing what we do best: restoring rivers, advocating for smart water management, supporting conservation-based policy, and preparing to help rivers rebound when conditions shift. Drought years remind us why this work matters.

Every river needs a champion, especially when seasons run dry. We will keep watching the skies, watching the data, and working to ensure that when the snow does arrive, Colorado’s rivers are ready to carry that gift downstream.

Two Chapters, Two Chances to Support Conservation

If you care about rivers, wild and native trout, and the future of fly fishing in Colorado, these chapter raffles are a great way to help. Two Colorado Trout Unlimited chapters are hosting fundraisers right now, and each offers a unique prize experience while supporting important restoration and education work in local watersheds.

Collegiate Peaks Guided Fishing Trip Raffle

The Collegiate Peaks Chapter is offering the chance to win one of four guided fishing trip packages. Only 250 tickets will be sold, so each entry has strong odds. Winners will be drawn in order, with the first name selected receiving first choice among the four trips.

Prize options include:

1. ErkAdventures
   Half-day guided fishing for up to three anglers on a private stocked lake in the Sawatch Range. Lunch and equipment provided. Value: $450

2. ArkAnglers
   Full-day walk wade or float guided trip for two anglers on the upper Arkansas River. Value: $695

3. Up River Fly Fishing
   Half-day float fishing trip for two anglers on the Arkansas River. Value: $525

4. Spinner Fall Guide Service
   Full-day guided float for two anglers on the Green River below Flaming Gorge. Value: $750

Ticket options:
1 for $50
3 for $135
5 for $200

Proceeds support conservation and education across the Upper Arkansas River valley, including youth programs in Salida, Buena Vista, and Leadville, kids fishing derbies, scholarships, and community engagement activities that help strengthen the next generation of river stewards.

Raffle closes December 2.

Rocky Mountain Flycasters Bamboo Rod and Ross Reel Raffle

Rocky Mountain Flycasters is offering a rare collectors package that includes a handcrafted bamboo fly rod paired with a Special Edition TU Greenback Cutthroat Colorado Ross Reel.

This rod is one of only thirteen built specifically to honor and document each remaining cutthroat lineage. It was crafted for documenting the Greenback Cutthroat trout and fished once by the rod maker, Steve Foisie, in Herman Gulch on August 15, 2023. After successfully catching a native Greenback Cutthroat, the rod was retired and donated to help support conservation efforts.

It is a medium fast four weight designed for small stream dry fly techniques using an F. E. Thomas taper. The craftsmanship and history behind the rod make it a true one-of-a-kind piece worthy of generational ownership.

The package also includes a special edition Ross Reel, size 2/3 weight. Only 495 reels were produced, and the model supported restoration in the Poudre River headwaters. That work was led by Rocky Mountain Flycasters and Colorado Trout Unlimited.

Total estimated value is more than $2,500. Funds raised directly support on-the-ground restoration, education, and native trout recovery in northern Colorado.

Raffle closes December 3.

Help Protect the Waters You Love

Your participation supports conservation, education, and hands-on restoration that keeps our rivers clean and healthy. Whether you dream of a guided fishing adventure or a one-of-a-kind bamboo rod, your entry helps protect the places that matter.

Thank you for supporting Colorado Trout Unlimited and the chapters working every day for Colorado’s rivers, streams, and wild and native trout.

Introducing the Champions Campaign

Introducing the Champions Campaign

Healthy fish need healthy water.

We all do.

The same free-flowing rivers that sustain trout and salmon bring clean water into our homes, give life to vibrant communities and feed a passion for angling and the outdoors.

Today our fisheries and our rivers face enormous challenges. At Trout Unlimited, we are doing something about it.

This message is at the heart of the new Champions Campaign, a shared call to action and a reminder of what matters. Whether you fish every weekend or you simply value clean water flowing from your tap, this work connects to all of us.

If you haven’t watched it yet, start by viewing the new Champions Video below in this post. It captures what Trout Unlimited stands for and what this campaign is all about. It speaks to anyone who has stood beside a river and felt a sense of belonging and responsibility. After you watch, explore the Champions page at tu.org/champions to learn how you can go further.

Across the country, we bring people together to protect and restore rivers, sustain and recover trout and salmon, and in the process, make communities healthier. We pull down dams and witness salmon returning. We rebuild rivers and watch trout thrive. We reconnect streams split by roads and clean up mine pollution. We build coalitions to advocate for wild places and the rivers that run through them. We make water cleaner and more abundant and make landscapes more resilient to wildfire, drought and flood.

Unlimited impact requires many hands. We don’t do this work alone; we never could. Whether you are passionate about wild and native fish, inspired by the wonder of rivers or dedicated to clean water, we invite you into our community of optimists.

Be a champion for the rivers and fish we all love and help unlock the unlimited power of conservation.

What inspires us

The people of Trout Unlimited are driven by a deep respect for rivers, trout and salmon, and the communities connected to them. Some of us are anglers. Some simply love rivers for the peace, exploration or connection they offer. The motivation is personal, but the goal is shared.

What's at stake

Wild and native trout and salmon face historic threats across the United States. More than one million miles of rivers and streams are damaged by pollution, habitat loss and dewatering. In many watersheds, populations are declining at a rate that risks losing them for future generations.

This isn’t only a concern for anglers. When rivers suffer, communities suffer. Clean water, resilient landscapes and healthy fish go hand in hand.

What we are moved to do

We refuse to watch rivers decline or fish disappear. The Champions Campaign reflects a commitment to action, collaboration and hope. We envision a future where people care for their rivers and where fish thrive.

The Champions video is a rallying cry. Share it. Talk about it. Invite others to watch. Then take the next step and join the growing movement of people working for cold, clean water and healthy fish.

You can explore the campaign, take action and get involved at:
https://www.tu.org/champions/

Now is the time. Because every river needs a champion, and every champion begins with a choice to care.

Discover New Zealand’s Legendary Fly Fishing

Discover New Zealand’s Legendary Fly Fishing

Exclusive Offer for CTU Members and Friends

Distant Waters, a trusted partner of Colorado Trout Unlimited, invites you to experience some of the most spectacular trout fishing on earth. From October 2025 through April 2026, CTU members and their guests can enjoy a world-class week of fishing in New Zealand—with a special 10% discount, bringing the total trip price (including airfare) to $8,000 per person.

Even better, Distant Waters will donate an additional 10% of every trip purchased to Colorado Trout Unlimited, helping protect and restore the rivers and fisheries we love here at home.

Trip Highlights

• 7 nights / 5 days of fly fishing in some of New Zealand’s most scenic rivers and streams

• 4 days walk-and-wade fishing with expert local guides

• Round-trip economy airfare included from Los Angeles or San Francisco (upgrades available)

• All lodging, transportation, and airport transfers included

• Daily breakfast and lunch provided (dinners on your own)

• Price per person: $7,999 (based on two anglers sharing rooms and guide)

This is more than a fishing trip—it’s a chance to explore one of the most beautiful places in the world while giving back to the waters that sustain us all. Whether you’re an experienced angler or seeking your next big adventure, this trip offers a rare combination of luxury, value, and purpose.

Availability is limited, so early booking is encouraged.

Colorado Trout in the Classroom Recognized as a Colorado Water Education Exemplar

By Martin Harris, CTU Statewide Trout in the Classroom Coordinator

Early in 2025, Colorado Trout in the Classroom (TIC) was invited by Donny Roush of the Colorado Water Center to participate in a review for inclusion in the Colorado Water Education Exemplars program. Developed in partnership with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Water Education Colorado, and the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, this first-of-its-kind recognition highlights outstanding water education programs across the state.

This distinction honors TIC as a program that builds water literacy for young Coloradans and demonstrates educational excellence based on the Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education. It also reflects TIC’s strong alignment with the Colorado Water Plan and its success in connecting students to their local waterways through hands-on learning.

During the 2024-2025 school year, Colorado TIC reached 59 schools with 67 tanks, engaging more than 20,000 students, parents, and community members. The 2025-2026 program has now expanded to over 80 tanks at schools and community sites statewide, with a goal of reaching 100 in the near future.

As part of the review, the Colorado Water Center evaluated TIC’s curriculum, instructional materials, staff and volunteer support, and program impact to determine whether it met the stringent criteria required for an Exemplar designation.

Reviewers noted TIC’s maturity, depth, and educational value:

“Thanks to the maturity of the program, with plentiful curricular and technical resources, staff and expert volunteer support, and detailed instructional design, clear evidence of environmental literacy development is strongly indicated.”

“Academically, TIC documents strong alignment to the Colorado Academic Standards, with clear and detailed crosswalks for grades PK-2, 3-5, middle school, and high school.”

“TIC delivers a rich and deep educational experience over the length of the school year.”

“A valuable aspect of TIC, which may not be obvious at first glance, is how participation in the program makes visible water and wildlife management agencies and non-governmental organizations, as well as regulations, data, and consequences of adaptive management.”

This recognition affirms Colorado Trout Unlimited’s commitment to empowering future stewards of our rivers. By bringing the life cycle of trout into classrooms, TIC helps students build a lasting connection to water, wildlife, and conservation.

Learn more about Colorado Trout in the Classroom or find ways to support this program at coloradotu.org/trout-in-the-classroom or by contacting Natalie Flowers, Colorado TU Education Director, at youth@coloradotu.org.

Shoshone Water Rights Debate Enters Next Phase

Shoshone Water Rights Debate Enters Next Phase: Your Voice Still Matters

Photo courtesy of Colorado River District

In July, Colorado Trout Unlimited asked supporters to speak up for the Colorado River and encourage the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to secure the Shoshone Power Plant’s historic water rights for river health. That outreach helped elevate the conversation, and now the proposal has moved into a new phase.

This month in Durango, nearly 100 water managers, board members, and advocates gathered to examine how Shoshone’s rights might be expanded to serve not only energy production, but also the river itself. The CWCB had been scheduled to make its final decision during the September hearing, but instead extended its deadline until November to give members more time to weigh the details.

Why Shoshone Matters

For more than a century, Shoshone has drawn from the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs to generate electricity. In the process, those flows became vital to people, wildlife, farms, and recreation throughout the Western Slope. When the river runs low, Shoshone’s senior rights often keep water moving through Glenwood Canyon and beyond.

The Colorado River District, representing 15 Western Slope counties, has proposed purchasing the rights from Xcel Energy for about $99 million. Their plan is to add an environmental use, protecting river flows even if the power plant eventually stops operating. This approach could provide long-term certainty for fish, wildlife, and communities that rely on a healthy, flowing river.

Balancing Perspectives

The hearing highlighted both support and concern. Western Slope leaders emphasized how dependable flows benefit agriculture, recreation, and native species. Front Range utilities raised questions about how changes could affect their ability to serve growing cities.

At the center is the question of governance. State law typically gives the CWCB authority over environmental water rights, but the River District has asked to share in that responsibility. While the details are complex, the bigger picture is clear: Colorado’s water future depends on cooperation between regions, and Shoshone offers a rare opportunity to build that partnership.

What Comes Next

The CWCB now has until November to make its decision, but the conversation is not finished. Public input is still welcome, and your voice continues to matter. By submitting comments, you can help ensure that Shoshone’s legacy serves both people and the river for generations to come.

Together, we can show that Colorado is ready to embrace solutions that keep water in our rivers, support healthy ecosystems, and provide for thriving communities across the state.

The New Fall 2025 Issue of High Country Angler is Live!

Your new Fall 2025 issue of

High Country Angler is here!

Check out the Fall 2025 issue of High Country Angler e-zine, including these stories:

· Landon Mayer with Cleaning the Dream: 10 Years;

· Brian LaRue with Upper Rio Grande River;

· Colorado TU Staff with Healing Rivers After Fire;

· Other columns by Barbara Luneau, CTU Staff, Hayden Mellsop, and Joel Evans.

Adult zebra mussels confirmed in the Colorado River near Grand Junction

Photo courtesy of Colorado Parks & Wildlife

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed adult zebra mussels in the Colorado River near Grand Junction and in a nearby lake within James M. Robb Colorado River State Park. These findings follow months of stepped-up monitoring that began after larval mussels, called veligers, were detected earlier this year.

“While this is news we never wanted to hear, we knew this was a possibility since we began finding veligers in the river,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. “It was because we have a group of individuals dedicated to protecting Colorado’s water resources that these detections were made.”

What was found

• In late August, laboratory testing detected zebra mussel DNA in samples from West and East Lake, west of 31 Road at the park’s Wildlife Area.

• A follow-up survey on Sept. 2 found suspected adults in the lake, then in the outlet side channel that feeds the Colorado River, and at the point where the side channel meets the mainstem.

• On Sept. 8, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Aquatic Animal Health Lab confirmed the adult mussel identifications by DNA testing.

This is the first time adult zebra mussels have been documented in the Colorado River. Based on these detections, the river is now considered infested from the 32 Road bridge downstream to the Colorado-Utah state line.

What “infested” means

Photo courtesy of Colorado Parks & Wildlife

A water is labeled infested when an invasive species is established and reproducing, which is confirmed when multiple life stages are present. A positive designation means detections have occurred but an established population is not confirmed.

• Infested waters as of 2025:
  • Highline Lake, Highline Lake State Park, 2022
  • Mack Mesa Lake, Highline Lake State Park, 2025
  • West and East Lake, James M. Robb Colorado River State Park, 2025
  • Colorado River, 32 Road bridge to the Colorado-Utah border, 2025
  • Private water in Eagle County, 2025

• Positive, not infested: Colorado River from the Roaring Fork confluence upstream to the 32 Road bridge.

• No detections to date: From the headwaters of the Colorado River to the Roaring Fork confluence.

What CPW is doing now

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and partner agencies are expanding sampling and monitoring from Grand County to the Utah line to understand the extent of the spread.

• Since mid-April, CPW has collected 427 water samples from the Colorado River. Six have tested positive for zebra mussel veligers.

• Additional monitoring on the Eagle River, 41 samples, and the Roaring Fork River, 42 samples, has produced no veliger detections.

• CPW is evaluating future containment and mitigation at Highline Lake, Mack Mesa Lake, and West and East Lake.

• CPW does not plan to chemically treat the mainstem Colorado River, due to risks to native fish and habitat, the length of river involved, and the complexity of canals and ditches connected to the system.

In Eagle County, CPW treated a private pond in late August with EarthTec QZ, a copper-based molluscicide registered by the EPA. Follow-up surveys in early September found dead adult mussels in multiple locations in that pond. Monitoring will continue to assess effectiveness.

“We will not give up,” said CPW Invasive Species Program Manager Robert Walters. “Our priority remains utilizing containment, population management, and education to protect the uninfested waters of the state.”

How you can help

Be a pain in the ANS. Every boater and angler can limit the spread of invasive mussels with a few simple habits.

1. Clean: Remove plants, mud, and debris from boats, trailers, paddles, waders, nets, anchors, and coolers.

2. Drain: Empty bilges, ballast, live wells, and any gear that holds water before you leave the site.

3. Dry: Allow boats and equipment to dry completely before launching in new waters. Follow posted decontamination guidance and use CPW cleaning stations when available.

Report what you see. If you use water pulled from the Colorado River or Grand Junction canal systems and find shells or suspect mussels or clams, take clear photos and email them with precise location details to Invasive.Species@state.co.us.

Pond and lake owners: If your pond or lake uses Colorado River or local canal water, CPW would like to inspect and sample your site. Request a visit by emailing Invasive.Species@state.co.us.

What comes next

Expect to see more crews on the river and adjacent lakes as CPW and partners expand shoreline searches, plankton tows, substrate checks, and decontamination demonstrations. The focus is twofold: limit further spread, and protect waters that remain free of zebra mussels.

Colorado’s rivers, reservoirs, and community water supplies depend on all of us. Clean, drain, and dry every time; report what you find; and encourage friends and family to do the same.