Lake Pueblo State Park will shift to winter hours October 1 for its boat decontamination stations, which guard against the invasion of non-native zebra and quagga mussels, known as Aquatic Nuisance Species, or ANS.

Boat inspection stations will switch to winter hours October 15.

Decontamination stations are changing early due to staffing issues. Effective October 1, Lake Pueblo’s boat decon stations will be open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. 

Then, October 15, boat inspection station hours will change to 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. 

The winter hours will remain in effect at Colorado’s busiest state park until February 14, 2022.

“These seasonal hours mean boaters have less freedom to come and go at Lake Pueblo,” said Becky Buist, Lake Pueblo operations manager. “After 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.