Boating License Requirements in Colorado
Who Is Required to Hold a Boater Education Card
Colorado uses a boating safety certificate (often called a boater education card) instead of a formal “boating license.” Under state law:
- Operators who are 14–17 years old must complete a CPW-approved boating safety course and carry a boating safety certificate while operating a motorboat on public waters.
- Operators who are 18 or older may operate a motorboat without a certificate, though CPW strongly encourages all boaters to complete a safety course.
The certificate shows that you have passed a state-approved course and met the minimum education requirement for youth motorboat and PWC operators.
Age Requirements for Boating in Colorado
Colorado’s age rules focus on motorboats (including PWCs) on public waters:
- Under 14 years old
- May not operate any motorboat or PWC on Colorado public waters.
- 14–17 years old
- May operate a motorboat or PWC only if they:
- Complete a CPW-approved boating safety course, and
- Carry a boating safety certificate issued by the course provider.
- 18 years old and older
- May operate a motorboat or PWC without a boating safety certificate, although taking a course is strongly recommended.
These age and certificate rules were strengthened by legislation effective June 1, 2024, raising the general minimum operating age and clearly defining when teens may operate with a certificate.
Vessel Types That Require a Boating License
In Colorado, “boating license” generally refers to the required boating safety certificate for youth operators. The certificate requirement applies to 14–17-year-olds operating:
- Motorboats of any horsepower on public waters.
- Personal watercraft (PWCs), such as Jet Skis, WaveRunners, and similar craft.
- Sailboats with auxiliary motors when operated under power.
Boaters of any age using non-motorized vessels—such as kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, rowboats, and most small sailboats without engines—are not required to hold a boating safety certificate. However, they must still follow all life jacket, equipment, navigation, and local rules.
Exemptions to the License Requirement
The following are the main situations where a boating safety certificate is not required by law:
- Adults 18 and older operating motorboats or PWCs on public waters.
- Operators of non-motorized vessels, regardless of age.
- Passengers who are not in control of the vessel.
- Boaters operating on bodies of water located entirely on private property (the minimum-age statute explicitly does not apply there).
- People on guided or captained trips where a professional guide or captain is the actual operator of the boat.
Even when a certificate is not required, boaters must still comply with all other state boating laws, including BUI rules, life jacket requirements, and local regulations.
How to Get a Boating License in Colorado
Approved Boater Education Courses
To satisfy Colorado’s education requirement, you must complete a course that is:
- Approved by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and
- Aligned with National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) standards.
CPW offers and approves:
- In-person “Boating Safely in Colorado” classes and other traditional courses, and
- Web-based safety classes for adult boaters and as study tools for teens who must still complete a proctored exam.
Recademics provides a state-approved online boating safety course that is designed to meet Colorado’s education standards and prepare students for the required exam.
Steps to Obtain a Boater Safety Certificate
While details vary slightly by provider, the basic steps to earn your Colorado boating safety certificate are:
- 1. Check your age and eligibility
- You must be at least 14 years old to earn a certificate for operating a motorboat or PWC on your own.
- 2. Enroll in a CPW-approved course
- Choose an in-person class or an approved online program that meets state requirements.
- 3. Complete all course units
- Study Colorado-specific laws, navigation rules, right-of-way, required safety equipment, and emergency procedures.
- 4. Pass the required exam
- Colorado requires a proctored or otherwise state-approved test for students who must hold a certificate to operate (14–17 year olds).
- 5. Receive your certificate
- After passing, you receive a boating safety certificate/card from the course provider, which serves as your proof of completion.
- 6. Carry your card whenever you operate
- If you are 14–17 and operating a motorboat or PWC on public waters, you must keep your certificate on your person or in an accessible place on the boat and present it to officers on request.
Online vs. In-Person Course Options
Colorado allows both online and in-person course formats, but they function slightly differently:
- In-person courses
- Taught by CPW staff or partner instructors.
- Include classroom instruction and a proctored exam that fully satisfies youth operator requirements.
- Online or blended courses
- Let you complete most of the learning at home on your own schedule.
- For youth who need a certificate, an in-person, proctored test is still required to meet Colorado’s proctoring rules.
- For adults, a fully online course may be sufficient for proof of education and insurance discounts.
How Long the Course Takes
Course length can vary by provider and format, but you can generally expect:
- Online study to take around 3–6 hours of focused learning, depending on how quickly you move through lessons and quizzes.
- Classroom sessions to be offered as a half-day or single-day class that includes both instruction and the exam.
Some providers allow you to print a temporary proof of completion as soon as you pass, while your permanent card is processed and mailed.
Out-of-State Boaters and Reciprocity Rules
Are Out-of-State Boater Cards Valid in Colorado?
Colorado participates in reciprocity for boating education. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s state law summary, Colorado:
- Accepts out-of-state boating education certificates if the course was proctored and meets NASBLA standards.
In practice, this means that if you are visiting from another state and you:
- Have a valid boater education card from your home state, and
- Completed a proctored or otherwise state-approved exam,
your card will generally be honored in Colorado for meeting the education requirement, especially for 14–17-year-old operators.
Temporary Certificates for Visitors
Colorado does not issue a special “visitor-only boating license,” but there are a few ways visitors have temporary proof:
- If you complete a Colorado-approved course while visiting, many providers allow you to print a temporary certificate immediately after passing, which you can use while your permanent card is processed.
- If you already hold a qualifying out-of-state card, you typically do not need a separate Colorado temporary license. Your existing card and a photo ID serve as your proof of education under reciprocity.
Special Rules for Tourists and Seasonal Operators
Tourists and seasonal visitors must follow the same basic rules as residents:
- Under 14: No operation of motorboats or PWCs on public waters.
- 14–17: Must have a qualifying boating safety certificate if they operate a motorboat or PWC, whether the certificate is from Colorado or an accepted out-of-state course.
- 18+: May operate motorboats without a certificate, but rental companies and marinas can set stricter internal policies.
Always check ahead with the marina or rental company at your destination, since some lakes and concession contracts impose additional requirements beyond state law.
Penalties for Operating Without a Required License
Fines and Enforcement Actions
Colorado law sets specific penalties for violating the youth motorboat operator statute. Under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 33-13-107.1:
- Anyone who operates or allows operation in violation of the age and certificate rules commits a civil infraction.
- On conviction, the court can impose a fine of $100 for each violation.
A court may waive fines for failing to carry the certificate if you can later prove that you had already completed the course at the time of the stop, but you should always keep your card with you to avoid problems.
More serious violations—especially boating under the influence (BUI)—carry higher penalties, including potential jail time, larger fines, probation, and a temporary ban on boating in state waters.
Liability for Rental Companies and Operators
Colorado law also places responsibilities on boat owners and vessel liveries (rental companies):
- Owners and liveries may not knowingly allow anyone under 18 to operate a motorboat unless that person is 14–17 and has met the boating safety and certificate requirements.
- Violating these rules can result in citations and fines for the adult who permitted the illegal operation, as well as increased civil liability if an incident occurs.
Most rental businesses respond by carefully checking the age and, when relevant, the certificates of operators before handing over the keys.
Understanding Colorado’s Boating Laws
Who Enforces Boating Regulations in Colorado?
Multiple agencies enforce boating laws and safety rules on Colorado waters, including:
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers and rangers.
- County sheriff’s offices and other local law-enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over lakes and reservoirs.
- The U.S. Coast Guard on certain navigable waters, especially related to federal safety and equipment rules.
These officers can stop boats to check for registration, safety equipment, life jacket use, age compliance, and valid certificates, and they may issue warnings or citations when they find violations.
What Counts as a “Boating License” in Colorado?
Colorado does not issue a separate “boat driver’s license” through the driver’s license system. Instead, the state relies on the combination of:
- A CPW-approved boating safety certificate for operators 14–17 who operate motorboats or PWCs, and
- General age and conduct rules that apply to all operators.
For teens, the boating safety certificate effectively functions as a boating license. For adults 18 and older, the card is optional but useful for demonstrating formal training, satisfying rental policies, and potentially qualifying for boat-insurance discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a License to Rent a Boat in Colorado?
Whether you need a “license” to rent depends mostly on your age and the type of boat:
- Age 14–17: You must have a CPW-approved boating safety certificate to legally operate a rental motorboat or PWC on public waters.
- Age 18+: Colorado law does not require a boating safety certificate, but many rental companies:
- Ask for proof of boating experience or education, and
- Provide or require a dockside safety briefing before you leave the dock.
Rental marinas may adopt stricter policies than the legal minimum, particularly on busy lakes or for higher-powered boats and PWCs.
Are Jet Skis and PWCs Covered by the Same Rules?
Yes. In Colorado, PWCs such as Jet Skis are legally considered motorboats for purposes of age, education, and most operating rules. This means:
- Operators under 14 may not operate a PWC on public waters.
- Operators 14–17 must complete a CPW-approved course and carry a boating safety certificate while operating.
- Operators 18 and older may operate without a certificate but must follow all safety, speed, and local regulations.
- All riders on PWCs must wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket.
Is My Out-of-State Boater Card Accepted in Colorado?
Often, yes. Colorado recognizes many out-of-state boater education cards, but there are conditions:
- Colorado accepts out-of-state certificates when the underlying course was proctored and meets NASBLA standards.
- CPW will also accept other state boating safety certificates as long as that state’s laws are not less restrictive than Colorado’s.
If you are visiting from another state, carry:
- Your original boater education card, and
- A government-issued photo ID.
If you are unsure whether your course was proctored or meets reciprocity conditions, the safest approach is to complete a Colorado-approved course so you have a certificate that is clearly valid on Colorado waters.
