Lake Pueblo State Park will shift to springtime operating hours February 14 for its inspection stations that guard against the invasion of non-native zebra and quagga mussels, known as Aquatic Nuisance Species, or ANS. 

The spring boat inspection stations will open at 7 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., daily, under the new schedule. 

Boat ramp hours at Lake Pueblo, the busiest of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s state parks, will mirror the ANS inspection station hours. 

“These seasonal hours give boaters more freedom to come and go at Lake Pueblo,” said Becky Buist, Lake Pueblo operations manager. “It’s important for boaters to remember that after the ANS stations and gates are closed, the boat ramps are locked and no boats are able to enter or leave the water. 

“The strict control of access is necessary to continue to keep Lake Pueblo free of invasive zebra and quagga mussels.” 

During the summer boating season, CPW staffs ANS inspection stations 18 hours a day.   

When ANS inspection stations are open, all trailered or motorized watercraft must be inspected by on-site staff prior to launching on the lake. 

Colorado has implemented an aggressive watercraft inspection and decontamination prevention system to stop ANS introduction, specifically zebra and quagga mussels, by inspecting watercraft before they enter state waters, decontaminating those with ANS attached, educating boat operators and ensuring that users clean, drain and dry watercraft.  

For more information about CPW’s ANS Program and the Mussel-Free Colorado Act, visit https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/ISP-ANS.aspx