Colorado Parks and Wildlife promotes sober boating ahead of Operation Dry Water and the holiday weekend
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bridget Kochel
Statewide Public Information Officer
303-219-7795 / 720-219-2919
[email protected]
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Statewide Public Information Officer
303-219-7795 / 720-219-2919
[email protected]
![](https://mcusercontent.com/5144ed31c5f2ba642e0393361/images/3e16c010-bad3-0e93-a77e-be4411e7281e.jpg)
This enforcement operation is timed closely to the July 4th holiday each year to educate boaters on the dangers of boating under the influence and reduce the number of accidents on waterways. Dangers include:
- Alcohol impairs judgment, balance, vision and reaction time on the water, which can increase fatigue and the dangers of cold-water immersion.
- Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion are added factors in a boating environment; all of these intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications. A general rule to remember is that one drink on land is equivalent to three drinks on the water.
- Alcohol can be dangerous for passengers, too. Intoxication on board can cause injuries from slips, falls overboard and other dangerous accidents.
Penalties for boating under the influence include receiving fines, having your boat impounded, potential jail time and the loss of boating privileges. Boaters with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level above the .08 state limit should expect to be arrested for BUI. In Colorado, Operation Dry Water operations will include increased patrols and checkpoints.
In Colorado, boaters must also take into account the risks that unpredictable weather can present while recreating on the water. Dangerous weather conditions include strong wind gusts that can knock a paddleboarder or kayaker into the water, and cold water temperatures that exist year-round.
CPW advises the following boating safety tips before heading out onto the water:
- Wear your life jacket
- Check your boat and all required boating safety gear.
- Avoid boating alone and tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
- Stand-up paddleboards are considered vessels in Colorado and require a life jacket on board at all times.
- Protect yourself from the dangers of cold water shock. Regardless of your age or experience level, cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.