The City of Westminster will prohibit trailered boating on Standley Lake to prevent the risk of a zebra and quagga mussel (ZQM) infestation.

This decision was made in response to the growing threat of ZQM infestation in Colorado waters from trailered boating.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports that the number of intercepted boats carrying ZQM has more than tripled since 2017.

Months of discussion and deliberation preceded this decision, involving a community-driven process in which staff and a citizen taskforce worked closely to create and review potential solutions. Unfortunately, no acceptable solutions were found.

“The city’s number one priority is providing reliable, healthy drinking water, and Standley Lake is the source for over 300,000 people from three cities – Northglenn, Thornton and Westminster,” said Public Works and Utilities Director Max Kirschbaum.

If ZQM enter Standley Lake, the cost of remediation for Westminster is estimated at $10 million in capital expenses and $3 million in annual operating costs, significantly increasing the cost to deliver water.

In addition to the financial costs, the establishment of ZQM would permanently change the ecology of Standley Lake, resulting in taste and odor issues and a reduction in water quality.

The city will continue recreational opportunities on and around the lake that do not pose a significant threat to water quality.

For more information, visit www.cityofwestminster.us/boating.

If you would like to leave a comment about boating on Standley Lake Regional Park, please visit the 24-hour service request system at cityofwestminster.us/accesswestminster and click on Standley Lake Regional Park Boating.

If you would like to leave a voicemail comment about boating on Standley Lake, please call 303-706-3040.