Adult zebra mussels have been found in the Colorado River and a nearby lake in Grand Junction, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said Monday. The agency has detected the invasive species in its larval stage, called a veliger, in past sampling efforts in the river and nearby lakes. This is the first time an adult zebra mussel, a sign of a more established population, has been found in the Colorado River in Colorado. … They can take up key nutrients for other aquatic species — tanking food systems — and can build up in layers on docks, pipes and diversion headgates, ruining water infrastructure. 

Other invasive species news:

• CBS Colorado: Adult zebra mussels discovered in the Colorado River for the first time
• Aspen Times (Colo.): First adult zebra mussels found in Colorado River as the invasive species continues to spread on Western Slope
• E&E News by Politico: Colorado River ‘infested’ with zebra mussels
• KDVR (Denver, Colo.): Colorado River designated as ‘infested’ with zebra mussels
• Tucson Sentinel (Ariz.): Freeport mining & FWS to build fish barrier on Arizona’s Eagle Creek to block nonnative species