DENVER, Colo. -- Boaters should anticipate being inspected this year as new regulations designed to prevent the spread of zebra and quagga mussels take effect for the 2009 boating season, the Colorado Division of Wildlife said today. These regulations, drafted by Colorado State Parks in collaboration with the DOW and the boating community, are integral to the statewide effort to prevent the further spread of zebra/quagga mussels and other Aquatic Nuisance Species in Colorado's lakes and reservoirs.

"Mandatory boat inspections have proved successful in other states at stopping the spread of invasive mussels," said Elizabeth Brown, DOW invasive species coordinator. "We want to ensure that boats coming from other states are being inspected prior to launching anywhere in Colorado. It's also extremely important that containment efforts continue on the reservoirs where mussels have already been detected."

All out-of-state boats and resident boats that go out-of-state and return to Colorado must pass a state-certified inspection for ANS prior to launching in any Colorado lake, reservoir or waterway. In addition, boats that have launched on any of the Colorado lakes or reservoirs where mussels have been detected are required to pass an inspection before launching at a new location.

Boaters who have successfully passed a state-certified inspection will receive a green seal and receipt. Boaters must have both the seal and receipt in their possession before they may launch at a new location.

The Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, county and municipal reservoirs and a variety of private marine dealers and marinas will offer state-certified inspection and decontamination services throughout the state beginning in May. All DOW and State Parks inspection sites are free-of-charge. However, park entrance fees will apply on all State Parks’ managed properties. Privately operated inspection and decontamination services will be fee-based, and prices may vary among providers.

In addition to fixed inspections sites, the DOW will be implementing "Roving Patrols." The roving units will move to a different location daily, offering inspection and decontamination services (if necessary) and ensuring that boaters are complying with the new regulations.

"Boaters should expect to be inspected this year," said Greg Gerlich, DOW fisheries chief. "It's up to each individual boater to make sure they are following the Clean, Drain and Dry protocol. The success of this program relies strongly on the watercraft owners acting responsibly."

The new regulations limit inspections to trailered watercraft. Hand-launched crafts, including kayaks, rafts, canoes and belly boats are not considered high risk for spreading ANS and may launch without an inspection.

Boaters should be prepared to have their boats inspected prior to launching at any lake or reservoir, and should check with reservoir managers for the latest boating regulations, boat ramp closures and updates on local conditions.

Public awareness and participation is the best weapon in the containment of invasive species. Boaters are reminded to take the simple precaution of making sure that they Clean, Drain, and Dry their boat when they leave the lake and before arriving to inspection sites. All boaters should remember the following steps to ensure they are not spreading mussels or other ANS to clean waters:

· CLEAN the hull of the vessel.

· DRAIN the water from the vessel, live well and the lower unit of the engine.

· DRY the vessel, fishing gear and other equipment.

· INSPECT all exposed surfaces.

· REMOVE all plant and animal material.

Colorado law prohibits the possession or transport any ANS in Colorado. Wildlife officers, parks officials and other qualified peace officers may stop, inspect, decontaminate and, if necessary, detain watercraft upon a “reasonable belief” that mussels or other ANS are present.

ANS are defined as any exotic or nonnative aquatic wildlife or plant species that have been determined to pose a significant threat to Colorado’s aquatic resources or water infrastructure.

Zebra and quagga mussels, two particularly destructive ANS, were discovered in Lake Pueblo in January 2008. Subsequent sampling confirmed the presence of zebra and or quagga mussel larvae in six other locations, including Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Reservoir, Willow Creek Reservoir, Grand Lake, Jumbo Reservoir State Wildlife Area (Logan County) and Tarryall Reservoir State Wildlife Area.

If allowed to spread further, zebra and quagga mussels could have devastating environmental and economic effects on Colorado.

For more information on zebra and quagga mussels and how to prevent their spread, please visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife's Web site at:

http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/InvasiveSpecies/ZebraandQuaggaMussels.htm

2009 Statewide Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Sites

All sites listed are issuing and accepting green seals from other state-authorized inspection locations, unless otherwise noted. Seals will be issued upon the completion of inspections or decontaminations at the following reservoirs, DOW offices and private service providers:

Lakes and reservoirs where mussels have been detected (mandatory inspections leaving):

Blue Mesa Reservoir (Gunnison County)

Boat inspections begin May 8 at Elk Creek, Stevens Creek and Lake Fork Boat Ramps from 5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., 7 days a week. All other boat ramps will be closed to trailered watercraft. Ramps will be closed to nighttime use; however, overnight beaching will be allowed.

Lake Granby (Grand County)

Boat inspections begin May 15 at the Sunset Point, Stillwater and Arapaho Bay boat ramps from 6 a.m.-8 p.m., 7 days a week. Ramps will be open to nighttime use. Boaters are expected to follow the Clean, Drain and Dry protocol when inspectors are not present and must have their vessel inspected at a state-certified site before launching at a new location. Inspection hours will decrease as daylight and recreational use diminish in late summer and fall.

Grand Lake (Grand County)

Boat inspections begin May 15 at the Grand Lake public boat ramp from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Ramps will be open to nighttime use. Boaters are expected to follow the Clean, Drain and Dry protocol when inspectors are not present and must have their vessel inspected at a state-certified site before launching at a new location. Inspection hours will decrease as daylight and recreational use diminish in late summer and fall.

Jumbo State Wildlife Area (Logan County)

Boat inspections began May 1 at the east boat ramp from 6 a.m.-10 p.m., 7 days a week. The east ramp will be open for trailered watercraft use. All other ramps will only be open to hand- launched boats. All boat ramps will be closed at night. Beginning in August, boat ramps will be open Thursday through Monday from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. The ramps will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday and at night. Overnight beaching of boats is prohibited.

Lake Pueblo State Park (Pueblo County)

Mandatory watercraft inspections are in effect. Contact Colorado State Parks for hours of operation, boat ramp closures and local conditions.

Shadow Mountain Reservoir (Grand County)

Boat inspections begin May 15 at the Green Ridge boat ramp from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m., 7 days a week. The Hilltop boat ramp will be closed to trailered watercraft for the entire 2009 season. The Green Ridge Ramp will be open to nighttime use. Boaters are expected to follow the Clean, Drain and Dry protocol when inspectors are not present and must have their vessel inspected at a state-certified site before launching at a new location. Inspection hours will decrease as daylight and recreational use diminish in late summer and fall.

Tarryall State Wildlife Area (Park County)

Boat inspections begin June 1 on the East Boat Ramp from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., 5 days a week (Thursday through Monday). The Parker Gulch Campground Boat Ramp will be closed. Both ramps will be closed at night and on Tuesday and Wednesdays. No overnight beaching will be allowed. Tarryall will close to boating on October 31, 2009.

Willow Creek Reservoir (Grand County)

Willow Creek reservoir will be closed to trailered watercraft for the 2009 season. Only hand-launched boats are permitted.

Lakes and reservoirs where no mussels have been detected (inspections required before entering):

Antero Reservoir (Park County)

Boat inspections began May 1 at the south boat ramp from ˝ hour before sunrise to ˝ hour after sunset, 7 days a week. The north boat ramp will be closed for the entire 2009 season. All boat ramps will be closed at night. Antero will close to boating on October 31, 2009.

Aurora Reservoir (Arapahoe County)

Boat inspections began last year at Aurora Reservoir which is open year round to boating. New for 2009, boat operators at these reservoirs will pay a one-time fee of $10 to obtain a Watercraft Access Pass for every vehicle towing or otherwise transporting any boat or watercraft to the reservoirs. Hours of operation vary by month: May hours are 5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., June and July hours are 5:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., August hours are 5:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., September hours are 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., October hours are 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., and November hours are 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. All vessels are required to be off the water one-half hour after sunset. The reservoir will be closed to boating December 15th (or earlier if ice starts to form). Visit www.auroragov.org for further information on hours by month and operations.

Bear Creek Lake (Jefferson County)

Boat inspections began May 1 from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m., 7 days a week. The inspection station, located at the Whitetail parking lot on the road to the Bear Creek boat ramp, will be staffed from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Monday through Thursday the station will be staffed from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, boaters will be inspected at the entrance station. No watercraft will be allowed access after 8 p.m. Bear Creek will be closed to trailered watercraft from November 15 – March 15 annually.

Boulder Reservoir (Boulder County)

Boat inspections began on April 4 from 8 - 10 a.m. and from 2 - 5 p.m. As of May 4, inspections will be offered near the front gate from 5:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Boaters must submit to either decontamination or a drying period prior to first launch. Also, boaters must have a City of Boulder Reservoir Permit to enter. No day use passes will be issued. Boulder only accepts green seals from the Denver DOW Office, Tommy’s Slalom Shop and Dillon Reservoir.

Carter Reservoir (Larimer County)

Boat inspections began April 10 at all three ramps from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. All ramps will be closed to nighttime use. Beginning in October, the ramps will be open from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Carter is open to boating year round.

Clear Creek Reservoir (Chaffee County)

Boat inspections begin May 7 from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. All ramps will be closed Monday through Wednesday and at night. Overnight beaching of boats is prohibited. Clear Creek will close to boating on September 30, 2009.

Douglas Reservoir (Larimer County)

Boat inspections began May 1, from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days a week. All ramps will be closed at night. Beginning in August, the ramps will be open Thursday through Monday from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. The ramps will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday and at night. Overnight beaching of boats is prohibited.

Dillon Reservoir (Summit County)

Boat inspections begin May 22 (or sooner weather pending) at the Dillon Marina, from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The boat ramp will be closed for nighttime use beginning at 5:30 p.m. Boat inspections begin June 1 at the Frisco Bay Marina, from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., 7 days a week. The Pine Cove and Blue River Arm boat ramps will be closed for the entire 2009 season. Boats will not be allowed to launch after 7 p.m. and all ramps will be closed to nighttime use.

Horsetooth Reservoir (Larimer County)

Boat inspections began April 10 at all three ramps from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. All ramps will be closed to nighttime use. Beginning in October, the ramps will be open from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Horsetooth is open to boating year round.

McPhee Reservoir (Montezuma County)

Boat inspections begin May 11 from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Inspections will be held at the Sagenhen boat ramp through October 31, 2009. This station will also service out-of-state boats coming from the southwest.

Prewitt Reservoir (Washington County)

Boat inspections began May 1, from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days a week. The ramp will be closed at night. Beginning in August 2009 when recreational use decreases, the ramp will be open Thursday through Monday from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. The ramp will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday and at night. Overnight beaching of boats is prohibited.

Quincy Reservoir (Arapahoe County)

Boat inspections began on March 1. New for 2009: Boat operators at these reservoirs will pay a one-time fee of $10 to obtain a Watercraft Access Pass for every vehicle towing or otherwise transporting any boat or watercraft to the reservoirs. Hours of operation vary by month: May hours are 5:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., June and July hours are 5:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., August hours are 5:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., September hours are 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., October hours are 6:30 a.m.—7:30 p.m., and November hours are 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. All vessels are required to be off the water one-half hour after sunset. The reservoir will be closed to boating November 1. Visit www.auroragov.org for further information on inspection hours by month and local conditions. Quincy Reservoir closes on October 31.

Rampart Reservoir (El Paso County)

Boat inspections begin May 15, from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. All ramps are closed Monday through Wednesday and at night. Overnight beaching of boats is prohibited. The reservoir will close to trailered watercraft mid-October.

Standley Lake (Jefferson County)

Boat inspections began on April 15 and run from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Boaters must submit to both decontamination and a drying period prior to launch. Also, boaters must have a Standley Lake Boat Permit to enter. No day use passes will be issued. Hand launch vessels are able to launch from sunrise to sunset after being inspected and sprayed each time they enter the park. The reservoir closes to trailered watercraft on September 30th. Standley Lake does not accept green seals from other locations.

Twin Lake (Lake County)

Boat inspections begin on May 31at the Dexter Point boat ramp from 6 a.m. - dark, 7 days a week. The Red Rooster Boat Ramp will be closed to trailered watercraft all season. Both ramps will be closed at night. Overnight beaching of watercrafts is prohibited.

Turquoise Lake (Lake County)

Boat inspections begin May 31at the Matchless boat ramp from 6 a.m. - dark, 7 days a week. The Tabor boat ramp will be closed to trailered watercraft all season. Both ramps will be closed at night. Overnight beaching of watercrafts is prohibited.

Williams Fork Reservoir (Grand County)

Boat inspections begin May 15 at the east boat ramp from 6 a.m.-8 p.m., 7 days a week. The west boat ramp will be closed the entire 2009 season. All ramps will be closed at night. Overnight beaching of watercrafts is prohibited.

Wolford Mountain Reservoir (Grand County)

Boat inspections began May 1 at the main boat ramp from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., 7 days a week. All boats must be off the reservoir by 7 p.m. unless they are staying in the campground or using slips at the marina. Inspections will conclude on November 1. The reservoir is open year round to hand launch watercraft. Trailered boats can only access the reservoir during scheduled inspection times. Wolford only accepts green seals from Dillon Reservoir.

Colorado State Parks:

Mandatory watercraft inspections are in place at the following Colorado State Parks' managed properties: Please visit http://parks.state.co.us/ for information pertaining to boat ramp closures, inspection hours and local conditions for each location.

Barr Lake (Adams County)

Bonny Lake (Yuma County)

Boyd Lake (Larimer County)

Chatfield Reservoir (Jefferson County)

Cherry Creek Reservoir (Arapaho County)

Crawford Reservoir (Delta County)

Eleven Mile Reservoir (Park County)

Elkhead Reservoir/Yampa State Park (Routt County)

Harvey Gap Reservoir (Garfield County)

Highline Reservoir (Mesa County)

Jackson Gulch Reservoir/Mancos State Park(Montezuma County)

Jackson Lake (Morgan County)

John Martin Reservoir (Bent County)

Lathrop (Huerfano County)

Navajo Reservoir (La Plata County)

North Sterling Reservoir (Logan County)

Paonia Reservoir (Delta County)

Ridgway Reservoir (Ouray County)

Rifle Gap Reservoir (Garfield County)

San Luis Lakes (Alamosa County)

Spinney Mountain Reservoir (Park County)

Stagecoach Reservoir (Routt County)

Steamboat Lake (Routt County)

Sweitzer Lake (Delta County)

Trinidad Reservoir (Las Animas County)

Vega Reservoir (Mesa County)

Division of Wildlife Offices:

Denver DOW Office 6060 Broadway Ph: (303) 297-1192

Estimated opening date is May 15. Watercraft inspection/decontamination services will be available from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Inspections will not be available Saturday through Sunday.

Grand Junction DOW Office 711 Independent Ave. Ph: (970) 255-6100

Estimated opening date is May 15. Watercraft inspection/decontamination services will be available from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Inspections will not be available Saturday through Sunday.

Hot Sulphur Springs DOW Office 346 Grand County Rd. 362 Ph: (970) 725-6200

Watercraft inspection/decontamination services begin May 15 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Inspections will not be available Saturday through Sunday.

Lamar DOW Office 2500 S. Main St. Ph: (719) 336-6600

Watercraft inspection/decontamination services will be available beginning May 7 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Inspections will not be available Friday through Sunday.

Private Service Providers and Marine Dealers: Privately operated inspection and decontamination services are fee-based, and prices may vary among providers. Contact vendors for pricing and details.

Best Marine Service Inc. 12098 W 50th Place, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 Ph: (303) 423-3311

Watercraft inspection and decontamination services are available from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday. Inspections will not be available Sunday through Monday. Call for an appointment.

Great Lakes Marine 12294 Mead Way, Littleton, CO. 80125 Ph: (303) 791-6100

Watercraft inspection and decontamination services are available from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday. Inspections will not be available Sunday through Monday.

Island Lake Marine or Harris Sports 5887 SW Frontage Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80528 Ph: (970) 225-6666

Watercraft inspection and decontamination services are available from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Inspections will not be available on Sunday.

Nelson Motor Sports 5800 N Federal, Denver, CO 80221 Ph: (303) 468-1369

Watercraft inspection and decontamination services are available from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Inspections will not be available Sunday through Monday.

Nolan’s RV & Marine 6935 N. Federal Blvd, Denver, Co 80221 Phone: 303-429-6114

Watercraft inspection services are available from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. No decontamination services are available. Inspections will not be available Saturday through Sunday.

Sail Colorado, LLC 2100 Orchard Avenue, Boulder, CO 80304 Ph: (303) 444-2484

Sailboat inspection services available 7 days a week, by appointment only.

Sterling Marine 5800 N Federal Blvd., Denver, CO 80221 Ph: (303) 433-0201

Watercraft inspection and decontamination services are available from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Inspections will not be available Sunday through Monday.

Tommy’s Slalom Shop 3740 N. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80231 Ph: (303) 455-3091

Watercraft inspection and decontamination services are available from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Inspections will not be available Saturday through Sunday. Call for an appointment.

Wakeboard and Waterski Specialty 6851 Pecos Street, Denver, CO 80221 (303)430-0202

Watercraft inspection and decontamination services are available from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Inspections will not be available Saturday through Sunday. Call for an appointment. ###

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