At Lake Pueblo, boats get checked for aquatic hitchhikers

Lake Pueblo, the reservoir in Lake Pueblo State Park west of the city, is a popular place to boat. Before a trailered boat goes in the water, it usually has to pass an inspection. This is not red tape for its own sake. It is how the state keeps invasive mussels and other aquatic pests from spreading between lakes.

The idea behind aquatic nuisance species, or ANS, inspections is simple. Tiny mussels and plants can hide in bilges, on hulls, and in water left aboard a boat. Once they take hold in a reservoir, they are very hard to remove and can clog water systems and harm fishing. Checking and cleaning boats as they arrive is the cheapest way to stop that.

What it means for a day on the water: arrive a little early, make sure your boat is clean, drained, and dry, and be ready for the inspection step. Rules and hours can change with the season and the water level, so it is worth checking ahead rather than assuming.

For current boat inspection and park access details at Lake Pueblo, check Colorado Parks and Wildlife before you tow your boat out.