Boating, paddling, and water safety in Colorado
Colorado boat registration and required equipment
How the craft, motor, sail, operator, and trip affect registration, the ANS stamp, life jackets, and required onboard gear.
Start with what moves the craft
Motor or sail
Colorado residents must register a motorboat or sailboat used on public water. The boat also needs a current ANS stamp. A small added motor can change the paperwork.
Paddlecraft
A craft that does not need registration must still show the owner's name and address. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards also follow safety-equipment rules.
Visiting boat
A nonresident may use current registration from another state for up to 60 consecutive days. Check the Colorado ANS stamp and inspection steps too.
Operator
The usual minimum age to operate a motorboat is 18. A person age 14 through 17 may operate after completing an approved course and carrying the certificate. A child under 14 may not operate a motorboat.
Build the equipment list from the official rule
- A correctly sized, serviceable life jacket for every person.
- A child age 12 or younger must wear the life jacket while the vessel is on the water, except in an enclosed cabin or below deck.
- A vessel 16 feet or longer generally needs a throwable flotation device too. The rule has an exception for vessels used in river-running activities.
- Sound, light, fire, ventilation, and other equipment required for the craft and trip.
- Registration, stamp, certificate, or other documents that apply.
Keep the estimate separate from the final checkout
Fees and products can change. Use the current CPW registration path and save the completed documents rather than relying on an old amount or screenshot.
Take this with you
Before the boat leaves home
- ✓ Registration and the ANS stamp were checked for this craft.
- ✓ The operator meets the current age and course rule.
- ✓ Every person has a correctly sized, serviceable life jacket.
- ✓ The required documents and onboard safety equipment are packed.
Official sources and review
Check the current rule before you act
These links go to the agencies that control this part of the trip. Use the exact page, license, listing, map, order, or confirmation for your situation.
Use this carefully: Registration, fees, stamps, operator rules, and equipment requirements can change. Confirm the current CPW pages and the exact water's local rules before operating.
Keep going
The other parts of boating, paddling, and water safety in colorado
Inspections and Clean, Drain, Dry
How Colorado's ANS stamp, inspection stations, decontamination, launch checks, and gear cleaning fit together.
Life jackets and cold water
A practical water-safety plan for life-jacket fit, cold-water shock, changing weather, falling in, and helping from shore.
Paddling and launch rules
What paddlecraft users should check about markings, life jackets, sound devices, inspections, leashes, launch access, and local water rules.