Crayfish Regulations

Please allow the crawfish to be imported into Colorado, it's already being done by restaurants, and this type of activity makes it unfair for the importers. The louisiana crawfish don't like cold, they like mud. Show me a waterway that has mud.

Importing crawfish to Colorado could have several positive outcomes for the state. Firstly, it could stimulate economic growth by creating a new market for live crawfish, benefiting local businesses and communities. The demand for crawfish in various culinary dishes could lead to increased revenue for restaurants and food vendors.

Permitting the importation of crawfish would allow residents to enjoy new culinary experiences and explore various cultural cuisines, as crawfish are a popular delicacy in many regions.

I know there is a large community that would like live crawfish to be available for purchase to then cook immediately and safely.

By embracing responsible imports and considering public feedback, Colorado Parks and Wildlife can strike a balance between conservation efforts and the potential benefits of crawfish introduction, benefiting both the environment and the public.

Please no! We have so many invasive non-native species to deal with already. Terrestrial species are difficult enough but aquatic invasives are so difficult to find much less control. And clearly the consequences of this have not been thoroughly vetted. Just because some will put money in their pockets doesn’t mean it’s a good idea for the rest of us , or good for a functioning aquatic system.

This has to be a joke. I'm sure your wildlife people will tout the "invasive species" argument about these rusty crayfish...but hey, new's flash... THEY'RE ALREADY HERE!!!! The issue is with people's boats and trailers. People buying life crawfish from out of state are COOKING them...you "experts" don't really think people are spending big bucks to buy a $100+ bag of live out of state crawfish only to dump them into a stream, river or lake?????? We EAT THEM, ALL OF THEM. Want to make a difference, increase your vigilance on inspecting boats and trailers. Ya know, the Eurasian Ring-Neck Dove is also an invasive species, you gonna forbid them from coming into the state as well?

Please legalize live Red Swamp Crawfish for public consumption. Being able to get these crawfish via mobile food trucks and direct shipping makes it more affordable for large families to enjoy foods from home. I appreciate your consideration.

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I would love to see fresh Crawfish allowed to be sold in Colorado for consumption only. Like anything else there are always idiots that will introduce it to our eco system whether it's legal or not. If we have distributors that can deliver it fresh "for consumption only" and educate the people in Colorado at the same time that it is illegal to keep them as pets or to put in private or public bodies of water in Colorado that would be amazing. Thank you.

Please approve the red swamp crawfish or or the louisiana crawfish. It is for human consumption, not used for bait. It is a Louisiana delicacy and would love to continue my crawfish boils in the comfort of my own home.

I would argue that CPW should not be in the business of introducing invasive species into CO, because of personal or business interests of a few. The fundamental role of CPW is to protect the native species, habitats and ecosystems of CO. However, as well discussed by AllynWelch (below), it is ecologically irresponsible and also administrative malfeasance to allow for the importation of a live, non-native species without careful consideration of it becoming an invasive species that causes environmental degradation. Although not intended for wild release, it will inevitably happen. It always does. The history of invasive species in the U.S. and elsewhere is replete with the purposeful release of invasives for good intentions, but more often the consequence of inadvertent release or escape of species into native ecosystems. The importation of nonnative crayfish species is not worth the obvious risk to CO aquatic ecosystems. The importation of nonnative crayfish should be STRONGLY OPPOSED AND SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.

What do rusty crayfish, whirling disease, zebra mussels, and quagga mussels have in common?
1. They are problematic aquatic invasive species
2. Humans were a vector for introducing them into Colorado waterways
3. They will never be eradicated
4. Nobody intended to introduce them

If CPW allows the importation of another non-native crayfish, it is nearly inevitable that they will be introduced into Colorado waterways, either intentionally or unintentionally. Do not allow the importation of live red swamp crayfish. Our waterways and aquatic life have enough stressors as it is. We do not need to risk another one.

We have had property on Shadow Mountain Reservoir in Grand County since the 60's. Until the past 10+ years, we never had evidence of Crawfish existing in the reservoir. Now that they are abundant, we have seen a dramatic change in our water ecosystem. Where we used to have an abundance of Grebes, we now have and over abundance of Geese, Cormorants and Pelicans. It is rare these days to even see a Grebe (sp?). In addition, with the introduction of Brown Trout and the new existence of Crawfish, the Brown Trout have reduced our population of other species of fish such as cutthroat and Brooke trout. Just my observed opinion.

I am a 4th grade teacher in Colorado and we study crayfish as part of our Life Structures unit. Keeping a balanced ecosystem is extremely important. These regulations have been in place for good reasons.

I would allow them to be shipped into Colorado for human consumption but add in a hefty fine if people are caught releasing them into the wild. Make sure the people purchasing them know that they are for consumption only and that the risk of release could have damaging effects on the ecosystem.

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Or possibly allow only licensed crayfish farms to import crayfish. Simply for the purpose of breeding. Them It controlled ponds and selling them to the public for consumption only

I would like to see the crayfish brought to colorado one wear another whether it was for human consumption or was responsibly introduced into the waters

CPW needs to change/update their regulations in that it is currently illegal to transport all 'live' crawfish. Who wants to have a crawfish boil starting with a bunch of dead and spoiling crawfish and/or just tails? CPW forces us to tail or kill all crawfish before transport. What are people supposed to do with the 'waste'; litter hundreds of heads/bodies/claws on the shorelines for the displeasure of everyone, or fill and stink up Parks trashcans? Come on now, CPW, I understand the intent of some of these regulations but in this particular instance (harvesting and boiling live crawfish) it is not practical and extremely wasteful; we eat the heads, tails and innards. Thanks for your consideration.

Lastly thanks Instagram, TikTok and social media influencers for ruining yet another aspect of my lifestyle and livelihood.

I appreciate the right to have a legal abortion and buy legal marijuana in the state of Colorado. I also have been fishing and hunting in my home state since I was old enough to hold a fishing rod and take Hunters Safety Education and learn to hunt. I don’t think the DOW should have any place in making a decision whether I choose or want to order live seafood delivered to my door in my home state. Next up will be catching the native Crawfish that do live in a happy ecosystem that I have a hard time believing Louisiana crawfish could even survive in.

Crawfish should be allowed to be imported for human consumption. Please share any science that supports swamp crayfish can survive in Colorado’s cold waters

We have bought live crawfish for years from Louisiana Crawfish and we’re surprised last year that they were no longer allowed in Colorado. We enjoyed a family get together for a boil and strongly advocate to restoring importation. We would never introduce them into CO waterways.