Taking to the water in your power boat, sailboat, jet ski, or canoe is a great way to enjoy Colorado’s many waterways.
Whether you're swimming or boating, it's important to use common sense while you’re out on the water. The Colorado Boating Program helps you get underway safely while enhancing your boating experience.
Registration is required for all power boats and sail boats operating on Colorado waters. Boating accidents that result in injury or death, or damage beyond $500 must be reported using a Boating Accident Report Form.
Boating Safely Courses & ANS Inspection Guidance
All Colorado Boating Safely Courses are currently being held in a virtual format to best comply with Colorado's COVID-19 safety precautions.
After successfully
registering for a Boating Safely course, an instructor will contact you 2 days in advance by email to provide you with a virtual meeting link. We are continually monitoring the state's current public health guidance, and will re-assess class safety precautions as guidance changes.
Boaters must comply with CDPHE requirements and CPW's Aquatic Nuisance Species regulations to stop the spread of zebra or quagga mussels and other invasive species.
CPW encourages people to take local and state stay-at-home orders seriously, stay home when sick, and limit travel time wherever possible, even for approved recreation.
Find the most up to date information on how CPW is responding to COVID-19 on the COVID-19 Response page.
ANS Stamp Required
Motorboats and sailboats must have an ANS Stamp prior to launching in Colorado.
Boat owners are required to purchase the ANS Stamp and operators must retain proof of purchase (electronic or printed receipt) on his or her person, the motorboat or sailboat, when operating the vessel (C.R.S. 33-10.5-104.5).
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Motorboats and Sailboats from Colorado - $25.00
- Colorado residents will purchase the ANS stamp at the time of registration. If you register/renew your vessel online or via a registration renewal postcard, the cost of the ANS stamp appears as part of your total amount due. You do NOT need to manually add another $25 to your payment for the ANS stamp.
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Residents with motorboats or sailboats documented by the U.S. Coast Guard or otherwise exempt from in-state registration can purchase the
ANS stamp online at cpwshop.com, or at any CPW office or sales location.
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Motorboats and Sailboats from Another State - $50.00
Funding contributes to prevention and management of ANS in the state. To learn more about the ANS stamp, visit our
Frequently Asked Questions page. Thank you for protecting our waters and contributing to conservation in Colorado!
Looking for a new place to take your boat?
See the
Boatable Waters page for a Google map Colorado waterways. Colorado's Boatable Waters range from the 150-mile-long Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area to small mountain lakes and large reservoirs.
Be a safe and competent boater by becoming familiar with the current Colorado
Boating Rules & Regulations.
More Outdoor Recreation Information
