Colorado boating laws: life jackets, boater education and jet skis
What Colorado law requires on the water, pulled from official sources and linked line by line: life jackets, boater education, jet skis, paddle craft and registration.
- Kids must wear a life jacket
- Under 13
- Boater education card
- Required (see who)
- Jet ski / PWC minimum age
- 18 to operate without a course …
- Emergency
- 911
Emergency on the water in Colorado
On inland lakes and rivers, 911 reaches the people who respond there: county sheriff marine units, state conservation officers and local fire and rescue.
Emergency and non-emergency contacts in Colorado
911 for emergencies on all waters.
How to call the Coast Guard: VHF 16 or 911 · Coast Guard phone numbers by region
Colorado life jacket laws (and kids)
Children
Children 12 and younger must wear a USCG-approved life jacket whenever their vessel is on the water, except in an enclosed cabin or below deck.
Source: cpw.state.co.us
Everyone else, towing and seasonal rules
Inflatable life jackets are approved only for people 16+, and not for PWC, whitewater paddling or towed sports. Anyone towed must wear a flotation device. Vessels running rivers need a whitewater buoyant vest for each person. Sailboarders may wear a flotation wetsuit instead.
The federal baseline
Federal default: children under 13 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket on a recreational vessel that is underway, unless they’re below decks or in an enclosed cabin. Where a state has its own child-wear rule, the state rule applies on its waters (33 CFR 175.15(c), 175.25). Coast Guard required safety equipment →
Boater education card (the “Colorado boating license”)
Most states don’t issue a boating license. What they require is a boater education card: proof you passed an approved boating safety course.
Who needs it
Since 1 June 2024, anyone under 18 operating a motorboat or PWC: ages 14-17 must complete a CPW-approved boating safety course and carry the certificate; under 14 may not operate a motorboat or PWC. Not required for 18+ (recommended).
The card
Colorado Boating Safety Certificate
Source: cpw.state.co.us
Colorado jet ski (PWC) laws
Minimum age
18 to operate without a course; 14-17 with a Boating Safety Certificate; under 14 not allowed
Rules on the water
Everyone on board must wear a USCG-approved life jacket (inflatables not approved for PWC); attach the engine cut-off lanyard if the PWC has one; PWC must pass mandatory aquatic nuisance species inspection and Clean, Drain and Dry on every entry and exit.
Source: boat-ed.com
Kayak, canoe, paddle board and kite rules
Paddleboards and kayaks without motor or sail need no registration or ANS stamp, but must carry a life jacket per person; CPW asks paddlers to Clean, Drain and Dry. Sailboarders may substitute a flotation wetsuit. No kiteboarding-specific rule found.
Boat registration in Colorado
Any boat with a motor or sail on public waters must be registered annually with CPW (valid 1 Jan-31 Dec). Exempt: boats without motor or sail, USCG-documented vessels, and out-of-state registered boats for up to 60 days. Motorboats and sailboats also need an Aquatic Nuisance Species Stamp ($25 for residents, added at registration) and all trailered or motorized boats must pass a state-certified ANS inspection before launching.
Popular boating waters in Colorado
- Lake Pueblo
- Chatfield Reservoir
- Cherry Creek Reservoir
- Horsetooth Reservoir
- Blue Mesa Reservoir
- Lake Granby
- Dillon Reservoir
- Navajo Reservoir
Some of the waters Colorado boaters know best. This is our list, not an official one, and it isn’t complete.
VesselSOS on Colorado waters
- Life in danger? One tap dials 911. The screen shows your GPS position and a word-for-word script: say “Boat emergency, I’m on the water” and the name of the lake, river or bay you’re on.
- A live link for family ashore (Plus, free during the beta): your position, speed, course and phone battery in any browser, no app needed on their end. You send it by text yourself.
- Not an emergency? The tow screen has Call buttons for the TowBoatUS and Sea Tow 24-hour dispatch lines, or your own member number.
What it doesn’t do: it doesn’t call the Coast Guard for you and isn’t connected to 911 or any rescue system. Nobody is alerted automatically if you’re late. The return-time check only asks “Are you OK?” on your own phone. It doesn’t replace a VHF radio, a PLB or EPIRB, or the life jackets the law requires.
iPhone only, in invite-only TestFlight beta. Not in the App Store yet, no Android. US support (911 routing, American English) is in beta version 1.4 and later.
Quick answers
What is the Colorado life jacket law for kids?
Children 12 and younger must wear a USCG-approved life jacket whenever their vessel is on the water, except in an enclosed cabin or below deck.
Do you need a boating license in Colorado?
Since 1 June 2024, anyone under 18 operating a motorboat or PWC: ages 14-17 must complete a CPW-approved boating safety course and carry the certificate; under 14 may not operate a motorboat or PWC. Not required for 18+ (recommended).
How old do you have to be to drive a jet ski in Colorado?
18 to operate without a course; 14-17 with a Boating Safety Certificate; under 14 not allowed.
Do you have to register a boat in Colorado?
Any boat with a motor or sail on public waters must be registered annually with CPW (valid 1 Jan-31 Dec). Exempt: boats without motor or sail, USCG-documented vessels, and out-of-state registered boats for up to 60 days. Motorboats and sailboats also need an Aquatic Nuisance Species Stamp ($25 for residents, added at registration) and all trailered or motorized boats must pass a state-certified ANS inspection before launching.
Sources
State boating agency: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)
- https://cpw.state.co.us/activities/boating
- https://cpw.state.co.us/activities/boating/boating-safety
- https://cpw.state.co.us/activities/boat-inspections
- https://cpw.state.co.us/register-boat
- https://www.boat-ed.com/colorado/boating_law/
- https://www.boat-ed.com/colorado/studyGuide/Specific-PFD-Requirements/10100602_29007/
- https://www.boat-ed.com/colorado/studyGuide/Requirements-Specific-to-PWC/10100602_29047/
- https://www.boat-ed.com/colorado/studyGuide/Which-Boats-Require-Registration/10100602_28983/
Checked October 2026. Laws change; confirm with CPW before you go.
This page summarizes the law for planning; it isn’t legal advice. Where this page and the official text differ, the official text wins. Spotted an error? Email support@vesselsos.com.