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Required Inspections and Boating Hours
The State of Colorado Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Regulations were approved by the State of Colorado on Friday, February 20, 2009. (Download regulations)
To comply with regulations, Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake require mandatory vessel inspections.
All watercraft including their motors, trailers, compartments, and any other associated equipment or containers may be inspected for exotic invasive species (Aquatic Nuisance Species) before launch or departure from high risk waters. Exclusions: hand-launched rafts, kayaks, belly boats, float tubes, canoes, windsurfer boards, sail boards or inner tubes.
Recognizing the serious impact possible from ANS, and to prevent its spread by recreational boating or any other human means, Larimer County joins Colorado State Parks and other waterway managers in a robust strategy designed to ensure sustainable recreational boating and other uses. The risk and cost are too high once ANS infestation has reached a critical level.
A boater may be denied access if not cooperating at an inspection point, or the boat may be placed under quarantine if inspectors think there is a serious risk of spreading ANS. Boaters circumventing the described procedures will be subject to fine.
The Larimer County Department of Natural Resources' program complies with the Aquatic Nuisance Species Watercraft Inspection Handbook, available online soon. (make this a link when available) Funding for inspections in 2009 is provided by the State of Colorado. Funding for 2010 has not been identified.
Hours of Operation
We are required to inspect every vessel entering Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir. That requires specific hours of operation for boating.
No boat launching is permitted outside of these hours, however, boats already on the reservoirs may continue operation.
Boating Hours
Prior to April 15, 2009: no inspections required
April 15 - September 30, 2009: 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days a week
October 1 - October 31, 2009: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
November 1 - February 28, 2010: 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. and Noon - 1 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays as weather and ice conditions allow.
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