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CPW News Release
CPW News Release
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5/24/2022
Colorado Parks and Wildlife shares boating safety tips in support of National Safe Boating Week


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Bridget Kochel
Statewide Public Information Officer
303-219-7795 / 720-219-2919
bridget.kochel@state.co.us

Colorado Parks and Wildlife shares boating safety tips in support of National Safe Boating Week
Enjoy the water, but always do so with a life jacket on – they save lives! 
DENVER – As boat ramps open and warmer temperatures entice people to recreate on the water, Colorado Parks and Wildlife urges people to wear a life jacket and boat responsibly this summer. 

In honor of National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27, 2022, CPW is promoting safe boating tips to educate outdoor enthusiasts on how to take caution on Colorado waters while enjoying water sports like boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming and fishing. 

With increased visitation in outdoor spaces throughout the state, water-based recreation remains a popular pastime in Colorado. There have already been four drownings in Colorado this year. In 2021, there were 22 total drownings in Colorado, which was down from the 34 drownings in 2020. That 2020 figure is the highest number of drownings on record in the state. 

“We recommend all boaters and passengers wear a life jacket while on the water at all times,” said Grant Brown, Boating Safety Program Manager for CPW. “Regardless of your age or experience level, the data shows that life jackets save lives. We want people to have fun on the water and not be afraid of it, so we encourage you to bring the proper safety gear so you have a positive outdoor experience.”

Before heading out on the water, Colorado Parks and Wildlife advises the following boating safety tips: It is important that boaters take into account the risks that weather can present while recreating on the water. Dangerous weather conditions that raise concerns are unpredictable strong wind gusts that can knock a paddleboarder or kayaker into the water, and cold water temperatures that exist year-round in Colorado.

In addition to recreating responsibly on Colorado’s waters, boaters are reminded to help keep state waterways clean from aquatic invasive species. Colorado lakes and reservoirs are free of invasive mussels, but more boats were found with mussel infestations in 2021. Mussels are destructive to aquatic habitats and can seriously damage reservoir infrastructure and cause problems on boats.
 
For more information on boating safety, visit cpw.state.co.us. To learn more about aquatic nuisance species and CPW’s program, visit: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/ISP-ANS.aspx
 or read the Boater’s Guide to ANS Inspections.
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CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 42 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.
   
Copyright © 2022 Colorado Parks and Wildlife, All rights reserved.
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