Watercraft inspections to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species are now mandatory in Colorado for both resident and non-resident motorized watercraft.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife has up to $15 million dollars available for habitat protection and to ensure wildlife-related recreational access available during a current funding cycle for projects guided by the state’s wildlife action plan and a 10-year strategic plan.Both those plans target habitat for threatened and endangered species and species of concern, protecting wetlan

Watercraft inspections to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species are now mandatory in Colorado for both resident and non-resident motorized watercraft.

Two years ago, after larvae of zebra mussels were confirmed at Lake Pueblo, the state mobilized to stop the spread of invasive aquatic species. The public education and inspection campaigns have apparently paid off, as little evidence of zebra or quagga mussels was found in the state in 2009, according to a recent report by the Division of Wildlife to the state Legislature.

The protected strain of Colorado River Cutthroat trout will be getting a new home this summer. The Colorado Division of Wildlife will remove other species of trout in a 1.8-mile section of Willow Creek and replace them with a pure strain of Cutthroat trout. The Cutthroat trout is nearly endangered because of the out-competing nature of other trout such as Brook trout, the DOW reported.

Over the next few weeks, local residents and visitors will have the chance to help Summit County take the lead in protecting local streams and reservoirs from especially pesky pollutants that aren't easily cleaned by existing water treatment plants.