DENVER, Colo.–The Colorado Division of Wildlife today announced it will host a variety of Aquatic Nuisance Species trainings and workshops throughout Colorado in April and May. The courses are designed to provide the required certification and training for anyone conducting ANS monitoring and sampling, or providing watercraft inspections and decontamination services in Colorado.
“We want to make sure that everyone sampling for aquatic nuisance species or conducting boat inspections is following standardized procedures,” said Elizabeth Brown, Division of Wildlife invasive species coordinator. “It is our priority to ensure our partners have the best information and tools to protect our waters from zebra and quagga mussels, and other aquatic nuisance species.”
State and federal agencies, counties, municipalities, private entities, water managers, conservation groups and boating and angling groups are invited to attend.
All courses are free-of-charge but early registration is required.
ANS Annual Workshops
ANS Workshops provide detailed information on a variety of ANS including zebra/quagga mussels, aquatic weeds and pathogens. The workshops, co-sponsored by the Colorado Weed Management Association, are open to anyone including fisheries biologists, weed managers, watershed groups and reservoir managers. Workshops begin at 9 a.m. and adjourn at 4:30 p.m.
April 28, Grand Junction ANS Workshop, Mesa County Fairgrounds in Grand Junction
May 5, Denver ANS Workshop, Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden
State ANS Sampling and Monitoring Training School
This training is required for anyone conducting ANS sampling or monitoring, including zebra and quagga mussels, in Colorado. A permit is required to conduct ANS sampling in Colorado and permits will be awarded following completion of the training. Participants must attend all three days.
April 15-17
Day 1: Boulder Library and Boulder Creek (10 a.m. — 4 p.m.)
Day 2: Chatfield State Park in Littleton (8:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.)
Day 3: Federal Center in Lakewood (8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.)
Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination State Certification Course (Stage II)
This certification course is required for anyone conducting watercraft inspections and decontaminations in Colorado. Anyone who has received training in the past must also attend one two-day course to be a “state certified” agent. Continuing education is required due to new regulations and changes in protocols from last year. Participants must attend both days to receive their certification. The tentative schedule for day one begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m. Day two begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 2 p.m.
April 9-10, Northeast Colorado Training, Larimer County Visitors Center (located just north of Carter Lake)
April 13-14, Denver Metro Training, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Golden
April 29-30, Grand Junction Training, Mesa County Fairgrounds, Grand Junction
May 6-7, Blue Mesa Training, Blue Mesa Reservoir
May 12-13, Grand County Training, USFS Facility “The Village” in between Granby and Grand Lake
For more information, contact Elizabeth Brown at elizabeth.brown@state.co.us, or call (303)291-7362
To register for trainings, contact Suzan Schafer at suzan.schafer@state.co.us, or call (303)291-7355.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
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