Tuesday May 6, 2025
9 News —
A non-native crustacean has been discovered in the Little Thompson River for the first time.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) confirmed the presence of rusty crayfish in the West Fork Little Thompson River.
CPW said it is the second time the species has been identified east of the Continental Divide in Colorado and the first time it has been found in CPW’s Northeast Region.
A native to the Ohio River basin, the rusty crayfish is larger and more aggressive than native crayfish species, often outcompeting them for food and resources.
Rusty crayfish is classified as a prohibited aquatic nuisance species due to their voracious appetite on critical habitat vegetation and prolific reproduction habits, according to CPW.