Red Canyon Swim Beach at Lake Pueblo State Park closed due to red discoloration of shore

PUEBLO, Colo. -- Officials have closed the Red Canyon Swim Beach at Lake Pueblo State Park because the beach has some red staining.

Biologists said the red staining on the inside of the shore was created by a protozoa, a single-celled organism, according to Colorado Parks & Wildlife officials.

"CPW biologists will conduct tests on the protozoa to determine what effects, if any, it could have on humans, and the swim beach will remain closed until those tests are completed," officials said in a news release sent to Denver7.

"We do not normally test for protozoa. Closing the swim beach was just a precautionary measure made by park staff, in the interest of public safety, until we find out exactly what this is," stated park operations manager Brian Kerrigan.