Nothing indicates that H5N1 is anywhere in the Western Hemisphere, much less in the state.

But if the virus shows up in Colorado, it could enter through wild waterfowl.

The Division of Wildlife has been doing anal swabs on geese, ducks and shorebirds - primarily game birds taken by hunters.

"From July through December, we sampled 1,750 birds in 19 counties with the key being birds that nest in the Arctic. Most of the ones that come here, including sandhill cranes and snow geese, nest in the western Arctic region," said Jim Gammonley, avian research program manager for the state Division of Wildlife.

None of the swabs tested positive for the disease.