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Introduction Importance of Maintaining Preserved Collections Biological specimens are sometimes inadvertently or necessarily killed in the course of monitoring or research investigations. Many biologists believe it is their ethical and scientific responsibility to maximize the value and usefulness of sacrificed specimens beyond their own immediate needs. This obligation can be met by properly preserving those specimens and arranging for their long-term or permanent care in an appropriate repository where they may remain available to the public for future res4earch, reference, or educational purposes. Properly preserved, catalogued and maintained collections are a valuable historical resource. We cannot go back in time and collect them again. They are the ultimate, physical database for verification of recorded data; they are voucher fOJr specimen identity, numbers, condition, lengths, and other specimen-based information. As emphasized in an Association of Systematics Collections promotional leaflet a few years ago, "labwork and fieldwork without voucher specimens is always questionable." Preserved specimens are the only means for updating or refining previously recorded data such as length frequencies requiring smaller size intervals or specimen identities based on new and better means for diagnosis (e.g., new criteria for more accurately distinguishing razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus and longnose sucker Catostomus catostomus larvae from other catostomids, humpback chub Gila cypha from roundtail chub G. robusta, or very small sand shiner Notropis stramineus larvae from red shiner Cyprinella lutrensis). Future systematics investigations might reveal that species X is actually two or more sympatric species. A taxonomic reassessment of species X in past collections might only be possible if those specimens remain available. Preserved collections are an irreplaceable reservoir of largely untapped information such as age and physical condition, morphological anomalies, parasitism, presence of toxic substances, food habits, reproductive and developmental life history, and systematics information. In many cases, preserved collections preclude the need for new collections and the associated costs in time and funds. Most Recovery Implementation Program (RIP) participants recognize the continuing value of their preserved collections. Through permit and policy requirt~ments for deposition of preserved specimens in an appropriate museum or alternative repository and expanded support for the proper care and management of those deposited collections, RIP can ensure the long-term availability of its preserved collections, both as voucher for participant investigations and as a long-term source for additional biological and historical information. In most cases, the additional costs to RIP for ensuring the long-term care and availability of preserved Upper Colorado River Basin (VCRB) collections is just a small percentage of the cost for their collection, preservation, and processing. F or example, if the latter costs are greater than $100 per collection (as is often the case), cataloging and initial maintenance costs for those collections are less than 10% (see section on Cataloging Time and Costs); subsequent on-going maintenance costs per collection are minimal. Larval Fish Laboratory and Upper Colorado River Basin Collections The Larval Fish Laboratory (LFL) at Colorado State University was established in fall 1978 within the College of Natural Resources and Department of Fishery and Wildlife