Musseled out
Colorado seems to be winning the fight against the zebra mussel – for now. Recent water sampling shows no signs of the highly invasive species as of Nov. 1. The mussels and offspring (known as “veligers”) were first found in Highline Lake at Highline State Park Lake near Fruita in September 2022. They later were found to have migrated to the nearby Colorado River and Government Highline Canal.
Native to Russia, zebra mussels can cause severe economic and ecological damage to bodies of fresh water. The snail-like mollusks reproduce rapidly and can move from lake to lake by attaching to boats. They were first confirmed in Lake Powell in March 2013.
The discovery in Colorado led to quick action by CPW, which stepped up sampling, education and boat inspections along the Colorado River from Glenwood Springs to the Colorado-Utah border. Boaters are reminded to clean, dry and drain their watercraft and gear so as not to give the scurrilous hitchhikers a ride to other waterways.
CPW also drained Highline Lake as part of the eradication. The lake will stay empty through the winter to eliminate any remaining veligers or adult mussels. Inspections in early November turned up five adult mussels – all of which were dead.
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- 01/22/2026
- Open concept
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Local works with restaurants to bring European communal tables to Durango
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- 01/22/2026
- A pause on paws
- By Sam Brasch / Colorado Public radio
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Colorado won’t release wolves this winter after failing to find new source population
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- 01/15/2026
- Layers of history
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‘Constellations of Place’ honors 150 years of statehood, as well as peoples who came long before
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- 01/15/2026
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Trump’s latest effort to keep coal alive clumsy at best
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- Eyes on the snow
- 01/22/2026
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This winter, we’ve all had our eyes on the snow– or lack thereof – but the folks at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center are looking for a few more. The Friends of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (FoCAIC) – the outreach, education, events and fundraising arm of the CAIC – recently launched its annual “Observations Challenge” for the 2025-26 season
- Whole lotta nothin'
- 01/15/2026
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Put your picket signs away: Durango is safe from Whole Foods, at least for now. According to a news release from the City of Durango on Monday, the owners of the Durango Mall and the Kensington Development Group have dissolved an agreement that would have brought a “national organic grocery store” and up to 270 rental apartments to the 20-acre mall property.
- Winter of discontent
- 01/08/2026
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As the stalemate drags on in Telluride over what is considered fair wages for the resort’s patrollers, local leaders say the strike and subsequent closure of Telluride Ski Resort is already exacting significant damage on the town’s economy.
- Losses and Gaines
- 12/18/2025
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Aspen has some more celebs to add to its roster. Chip and Joanna Gaines, of HGTV “Fixer Upper” fame, recently bought a property on the outskirts of town with the intent to not just make a “dream vacation home” for their family of seven but, of course, to document the transformation. The three-episode “Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House” debuted Dec. 9, and hijinks immediately ensued for the Waco, Texas, couple, including a run-in with a bear.