Colorado Boating Laws, Registration and Life Jackets
What Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) requires of boaters: the card, the numbers on the bow, the gear on board and the limits.
- 0.08BAC limit
- $36.25Smallest boat fee
- 1 yearFee term
Photo: NPS Photo, Public domain
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Since June 1, 2024, no one under 18 may operate a motorboat, including a personal watercraft, unless they are at least 14 and have completed a CPW-approved boating safety course and possess the boating safety certificate issued by the course provider. Operators 18 and older are not required to take a course (strongly encouraged).
Operators 18 and older. Non-motorized vessels (kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards) are not covered by the age law.
14 (to take a course and to operate with a certificate).
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) (cpw.state.co.us), checked 2026-10-27.
What it costs to register a boat in Colorado
Colorado residents must register any motorized or sail-powered boat operated on Colorado public waters with CPW. Registration is annual, valid January 1 through December 31.
Nonresidents may operate a vessel in Colorado for up to 60 days using a current registration from their home state. Canoes, kayaks and other craft that do not require registration must be legibly marked with the owner's name and address. Non-resident racing boats not registered at home are exempt the day before and day of a Division-authorized race.
| Registration | Fee | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Resident registration, less than 20 feet | $36.25 (includes $1.25 Search and Rescue surcharge; excludes ANS stamp) | 1 year (January 1 to December 31) |
| Resident registration, 20 feet to less than 30 feet | $46.25 (includes $1.25 Search and Rescue surcharge; excludes ANS stamp) | 1 year (January 1 to December 31) |
| Resident registration, 30 feet or greater | $76.25 (includes $1.25 Search and Rescue surcharge; excludes ANS stamp) | 1 year (January 1 to December 31) |
| Aquatic Nuisance Species Stamp, resident | $25.00 | 1 year (January 1 to December 31) |
| Aquatic Nuisance Species Stamp, nonresident | $50.00 | 1 year (January 1 to December 31) |
Where it is done
First-time registrations by mail (CPW Registration Unit, 13787 S Highway 85, Littleton, CO 80125) or in person at a CPW office; renewals online through CPWShop.com (with registration number), by renewal postcard, or in person. Renewal cards are mailed each November; renew up to 45 days before Dec. 31.
Hull markings
Registration number painted or attached to each side of the bow on the forward half of the vessel (or both sides of the foredeck if no such sides), reading left to right in block characters of good proportion, at least 3 inches high excluding border, in a contrasting color, clearly visible and legible. The yearly decal goes to the left of the registration number on both sides (regulation #202: two inches to the left of the letter C). No other number on the bow; other states' numbers must be removed.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) (cpw.state.co.us), checked 2026-10-27.
Colorado life jacket age and equipment rules
One USCG-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board, readily accessible, properly sized, legibly marked with the USCG approval number and serviceable. Paddleboards and kayaks are vessels and life jacket rules apply. Vessels used for river running need one wearable per person.
Children 12 years of age and younger must wear a life jacket whenever their vessel is on the water, except in an enclosed cabin or below deck.
Vessels 16 feet or more must carry at least one throwable PFD (Type IV) that is immediately available, except vessels used in river running.
| Equipment | Notes |
|---|---|
| Life jackets | One USCG-approved wearable per person; children 12 and under must wear one on the water. |
| Throwable PFD | One immediately available Type IV throwable on vessels 16 feet or longer (not river-running craft). |
| Sound-producing device | Class A, 1 and 2 vessels need a mouth-, hand- or power-operated device; Class 2 motorboats one audible 1 mile (hand or power); Class 3 motorboats power-operated audible 1 mile; Class 2 and 3 motorboats also need a bell. Hand-propelled vessels on whitewater exempt. |
| Fire extinguisher | USCG-approved, charged, serviceable: Class A and 1 one B-I; Class 2 two B-I or one B-II; Class 3 three B-I or one B-II and one B-I (one fewer B-I with fixed system). Open-construction outboards under 26 ft not carrying passengers for hire are exempt. |
| Ventilation | Motorboats using fuel with a flashpoint of 110 F or less (except open construction) need at least 2 cowled ventilator ducts for each engine and fuel tank compartment; boats built after July 31, 1980 with gasoline engines must meet USCG ventilation standards. |
| Backfire flame control | Every gasoline engine installed in a motorboat needs an acceptable backfire flame arrester (UL 1111 or SAE J-1928) or equivalent. |
| Muffler / sound level | Stock factory muffler or equivalent required; no vessel may emit more than 86 dBA measured from 50 feet or more; operators refusing a sound test may be ordered off the water. |
| Engine cut-off switch | No Class A or Class 1 (under 26 ft) motorized vessel may be operated above wakeless speed without wearing/using the ECOS it was built with or has installed; exempt if the main helm is in an enclosed cabin or the vessel was built before 2019 without a factory ECOS. |
| Marine sanitation | Any marine toilet must be self-contained and incapable of discharging directly into the water; discharging human waste or refuse is unlawful. |
| Towed-sport flag | CPW lists flags for towed water sports among required equipment, detailed in the boating statutes and regulations (specific flag rule not in Chapter P-2 text reviewed). |
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) (cpw.state.co.us, cpw.widen.net), checked 2026-10-27.
Colorado BUI law, age limits and jet ski rules
BUI
Boating under the influence is treated the same as driving under the influence except for penalties. BAC of 0.08 or more (blood or breath) creates a presumption of being under the influence; operators are deemed to consent to testing and refusal is admissible at trial. CPW states first-time sentences range from five days to six months in jail, a $100 to $1,000 fine, up to two years of probation, and a mandatory three-month ban on boating in state waters. Statute text (C.R.S.
Age to drive
Anyone operating a motorboat, including personal watercraft such as Jet Skis, must be at least 18 years old, except that ages 14-17 may operate after completing a state-approved boating safety course and carrying the certificate. Under 14 may not operate a motorboat. A parent or guardian must accompany 14-17 year-olds to in-person classes.
Jet ski rules
Everyone aboard a PWC must wear a USCG-approved PFD in good and serviceable condition (C.R.S. 33-13-106(1)). A PWC equipped with an engine cutoff lanyard requires the operator to attach it to their person, clothing or PFD (33-13-106(2)). The same age and education rules as motorboats apply (18+, or 14-17 with certificate).
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) (cpw.state.co.us, colorado.public.law), checked 2026-10-27.
Operating rules for Colorado boaters
Headway speed
A wake means water movement great enough to disturb a boat at rest; a boat may never exceed 5 mph in a posted wakeless area, and no wake is allowed where posted or buoyed. Vessels passing within 150 feet of any swimming area, moored vessel, person on shore fishing, or person servicing buoys must reduce speed to prevent damaging wash or wake. No operating or anchoring within 150 feet of a person fishing from shore, except in narrow passages or coves. No riding on gunwales or bow decking.
Tubing and skiing
Towing anyone on water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, inner tubes or similar devices requires a person in addition to the operator positioned to observe the towed person and relay messages. No towing or water skiing/surfboarding between sunset and sunrise. Towed persons must wear a properly fitting wearable PFD; a USCG-approved PFD is recommended, but a ski belt, water sports jacket or foam wetsuit jacket is accepted if an extra wearable PFD is aboard for each person. Inflatable life jackets are not approved for towed sports.
Sunset to sunrise
From sunset to sunrise, every vessel underway or moored outside a designated mooring area must show required lights (hand-propelled vessels on whitewater exempt). Motorboats: masthead light, sidelights and sternlight; under 12 meters (39 ft 5 in) may show an all-round white light plus sidelights. Under 12 m: masthead 2 miles, sidelights 1 mile, sternlight and all-round 2 miles. Sailing vessels: sidelights and sternlight (or masthead tricolor under 20 m); sailboats under 7 m and rowed vessels may instead have a white flashlight or lantern ready.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) (cpw.widen.net), checked 2026-10-27.
What Colorado requires when you pull the boat out
All motorboats and sailboats must have an Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Stamp before launching ($25.00 resident, included in registration; $50.00 nonresident), with proof of purchase (electronic or printed) kept on the operator's person or the boat. Colorado is a mandatory boat inspection state: all trailered and/or motorized watercraft (motorboats, sailboats, Jet Skis) must be inspected by state-certified personnel before entering the water, and boats coming from out of state, leaving known positive waters, or entering high-risk waters must be inspected and decontaminated if needed. Motorized boats, Jet Skis and sailboats must Clean, Drain and Dry every time they enter or exit any waters; bilge plug removed for inspection. Green seal and receipt program speeds re-entry.
Operators must stop and assist if safe, exchange names, addresses, vessel IDs and owner name, and report a death or disappearance immediately to the nearest law enforcement officer. Each operator must file a Boating Accident Report Form with CPW within five days if the incident results in loss of life or disappearance, injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, or property damage in excess of $2,000 or complete loss of the vessel. Send to CPW, 13787 S.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) (cpw.state.co.us), checked 2026-10-27.
What sets Colorado boating law apart
- Colorado requires an Aquatic Nuisance Species Stamp on every motorboat and sailboat: $25 for residents and $50 for nonresidents each year.
- All trailered or motorized boats must pass a state-certified inspection before launching; there are 77 inspection and decontamination sites statewide.
- Since June 1, 2024, motorboat and PWC operators must be 18, or 14-17 with a boating safety certificate.
- Boats must stay at least 150 feet from people fishing from shore, except in narrow passages or coves.
- Colorado boat registration is annual (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31), not multi-year.
- Operators of boats under 26 feet must use the engine cut-off switch above wakeless speed if the boat has one.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) (cpw.state.co.us, cpw.widen.net), checked 2026-10-27.
safety gear that fits Colorado rules
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Kayak lights and 12V power in Colorado
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What Colorado boaters ask
Is a boater card required to drive a boat in Colorado?
Since June 1, 2024, no one under 18 may operate a motorboat, including a personal watercraft, unless they are at least 14 and have completed a CPW-approved boating safety course and possess the boating safety certificate issued by the course provider. Operators 18 and older are not required to take a course (strongly encouraged).
What are Colorado boat registration fees?
Resident registration, less than 20 feet: $36.25 (includes $1.25 Search and Rescue surcharge; excludes ANS stamp) for 1 year (January 1 to December 31); Resident registration, 20 feet to less than 30 feet: $46.25 (includes $1.25 Search and Rescue surcharge; excludes ANS stamp) for 1 year (January 1 to December 31); Resident registration, 30 feet or greater: $76.25 (includes $1.25 Search and Rescue surcharge; excludes ANS stamp) for 1 year (January 1 to December 31); Aquatic Nuisance Species Stamp, resident: $25.00 for 1 year (January 1 to December 31).
What boats skip registration in Colorado?
Nonresidents may operate a vessel in Colorado for up to 60 days using a current registration from their home state. Canoes, kayaks and other craft that do not require registration must be legibly marked with the owner's name and address. Non-resident racing boats not registered at home are exempt the day before and day of a Division-authorized race.
Must children wear a PFD while underway in Colorado?
Children 12 years of age and younger must wear a life jacket whenever their vessel is on the water, except in an enclosed cabin or below deck.
Can you drink and drive a boat in Colorado?
Boating under the influence is treated the same as driving under the influence except for penalties. BAC of 0.08 or more (blood or breath) creates a presumption of being under the influence; operators are deemed to consent to testing and refusal is admissible at trial. CPW states first-time sentences range from five days to six months in jail, a $100 to $1,000 fine, up to two years of probation, and a mandatory three-month ban on boating in state waters.
What is the minimum age to operate a boat in Colorado?
Anyone operating a motorboat, including personal watercraft such as Jet Skis, must be at least 18 years old, except that ages 14-17 may operate after completing a state-approved boating safety course and carrying the certificate. Under 14 may not operate a motorboat. A parent or guardian must accompany 14-17 year-olds to in-person classes.
What rules apply to personal watercraft in Colorado?
Everyone aboard a PWC must wear a USCG-approved PFD in good and serviceable condition (C.R.S. 33-13-106(1)). A PWC equipped with an engine cutoff lanyard requires the operator to attach it to their person, clothing or PFD (33-13-106(2)).
What gear must a Colorado boat carry?
Life jackets, Throwable PFD, Sound-producing device, Fire extinguisher, Ventilation, Backfire flame control, Muffler / sound level, Engine cut-off switch. Each item has a rule by boat length; see the table above.
What are the Colorado drain plug and invasive species rules?
All motorboats and sailboats must have an Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Stamp before launching ($25.00 resident, included in registration; $50.00 nonresident), with proof of purchase (electronic or printed) kept on the operator's person or the boat. Colorado is a mandatory boat inspection state: all trailered and/or motorized watercraft (motorboats, sailboats, Jet Skis) must be inspected by state-certified personnel before entering the water, and boats coming from out of state, leaving known positive waters, or entering high-risk waters must be inspected and decontaminated if needed. Motorized boats, Jet Skis and sailboats must Clean, Drain and Dry every time they enter or exit any waters; bilge plug removed for inspection.
Does Colorado require boating accident reports?
Operators must stop and assist if safe, exchange names, addresses, vessel IDs and owner name, and report a death or disappearance immediately to the nearest law enforcement officer. Each operator must file a Boating Accident Report Form with CPW within five days if the incident results in loss of life or disappearance, injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, or property damage in excess of $2,000 or complete loss of the vessel. Send to CPW, 13787 S.