Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) issued a critical announcement today declaring the Colorado River “infested” with invasive zebra mussels. The designation follows the confirmation of adult mussel populations extending from the Eagle River confluence in Glenwood Canyon downstream to the Utah border. This development marks a significant escalation in the state’s efforts to contain the aquatic nuisance species, which now threatens to permanently alter the ecological and economic landscape of Colorado’s most essential waterway.
The presence of reproducing adult mussels in the mainstem of the Colorado River confirms the worst-case scenario for aquatic biologists. Robert Walters, CPW’s Invasive Species Program Manager, addressed the gravity of the situation, noting that while the agency and its partners have worked tirelessly to prevent this spread, the focus must now shift aggressively toward containment and adaptation. Walters emphasized that the primary objective remains protecting uninfested waters and the critical water infrastructure that sustains the state’s agriculture and municipalities.
The Statewide Threat…