2021 Boating Handbook With Regulations And Statutes

C O L O R A D OPA R K S&W I L D L I F E2021 Boating Handbookwith Regulationsand StatutesBOATING SAFELY COURSE INFORMATION303-291-7575 www.register-ed.comcpw.state.co.us

Owner/Boat InformationName of OwnerName of BoatBoat CL#Personal Contact InformationOwner’s Cell PhoneOwner’s Home PhoneOwner’s Home AddressEmergency Contact InformationHome Marina PhoneState Park Main PhoneOther Important Phone NumbersEmergency Phone Number: 911DEAR COLORADO BOATER:You are among Colorado’s 81,647 recreational boaterswho annually visit marinas, lakes, and rivers seeking anoutdoor recreational experience. In order to ensure thatyour experience is a safe and enjoyable one, it is importantfor you to know and follow the regulations and guidelinesfound in this brochure.The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Boating Regulations arebased upon Colorado’s Statutes mostly found in title 33and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Rules and Regulations,but uses layman’s terms rather than legal language in mostinstances. Not all provisions of law pertaining to boatingare included here. Consequently, this brochure is notsuitable for use in law enforcement or in litigation. To findexact state statutes and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Rulesand Regulations please refer to aspx.This brochure is one of many resources available throughColorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The ColoradoParks and Wildlife Boating Safety Program utilizesthe experience, training and knowledge of the state’sexperts in recreational-related matters, including publicaccess, information, safety, education, and marine lawenforcement.To see all the boatable waters in Colorado please visitour website aters.aspx or to learn more about ColoradoParks and Wildlife and resources available to you pleasevisit https://cpw.state.co.us/.We want you to have a safe and enjoyable boating experience.Please remember, if it’s your boat, it’s your responsibility.Lastly, please wear a life jacket! They save lives!

Table of ContentsRegistration .4Registration Required.4How to Register .4Vessel Classification .5Display of Numbersand Registration Stickers . 6Dealer Licenses.7Notification Requirements.7Before You Go . 8Education . 8Weather . . 9Fueling . 9Boat Capacity . 9Loading. 10Checklist and Float Plan. 11Navigation and Rules of the Road .12Federal Lateral System . 12Inland Waterway MarkingSystem . 12Mooring to Buoys.12Navigation Rules . 12Boater Responsibility .12Navigation Signals . 14Meeting or CrossingSituations . 14Head On Situation .15Overtaking Situations . 15Other Situations. 16Rules for Sailing Vessels. 16Narrow Passages. 17Responsibilities Between Vessels. 17Fog Signals or Vessels in Restricted Visibility. 17Operational Law . 18Peace Officers .18Trailering . 18Stolen Vessels . 18County and City Laws . 18Speed . 18Vessel Liveries . 19Careless or Imprudent Operation of a Vessel . 20Reckless Operation of a Vessel . 20Prohibited Vessel Operation .20Personal Watercraft Operation. 21Towing water skis, aquaplanes, surfboards, innertubes orany similar devices . 21Life Jackets. 22Diving or Ski Flags . . 22Alpha Flag Regulation. 23Divers Down Flag. 23Operation of a Vessel While Intoxicated (BUI). 24Boat Accident Reporting . 24Authority to Close Water . 26False Reporting Search and Rescue Calls. 27Required Equipment .28General Information . 28Sailboats and Manually Propelled Vessels . 29Sound Signaling Devices. 29Motorboats Less Than 16 Feet in Length . 30Motorboats 16 Feet to Less Than 26 Feet in Length . 30Motorboats 26 Feet to Less Than 40 Feet in Length . 31Motorboats 40 Feet to 65 Feet in Length . 32Life Jackets . 33Fire Extinguishers . 37Muffling and Sound LevelSystems . 39Ventilation Systems . 39Two-Stroke Engines . 39Backfire Flame Control Devices . 40Running Lights . 40Power Driven Vessels.40Sailing Vessels and Vessels Under Oars.41Recommended Additional Equipment.42Marine Sanitation Devices .43Environmental Boating Guidelines . 43Boater Responsibility .43Boat Maintenance . 43Oil and Gas .44Bilge Oil . 45Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.45Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) . 46ANS Stamp . 47Motorboats and Sailboats from Colorado. 47Motorboats and Sailboats from Another State. 47Helpful Definitions .4823A lifejacket can saveyour life, but only ifyou wear it!

RegistrationRegistration RequiredColorado Law (CRS 33-13-103) requires any vessel with a motor orsail operated in Colorado on any public water to be registered withColorado Parks and Wildlife except: A physical inspection form completed by a CPW agent An acceptable private party to private party Bill of Sale Templatecan be found here for your use. Boats propelled manually (Canoes, Kayaks, Paddleboards, nonmotorized ill-of-SaleTemplate.pdf Vessels documented by the United States Coast Guard Foreign vesselsA bill of sale is good for 30 days before you have to register yourboat (CPW Regulation #203) Vessels having valid registration and numbered correctly inthe state of principal use and not used in Colorado over 60consecutive days. Non-Resident Racing Boats (Regulation #204) on the day beforeand the day of and at the site of a Division authorized race. These guidelines include vessels that are moored, whether or notthey are used. Registration and registration renewals are required annually andare valid from January 1 through December 31 each year.Registrations and registration renewals can be done 45 days priorto the registration expiration date (Dec. 31).The annual registration fees are determined by the length of theboat. Current fees are as follows:Less than 20 feet in length - 35.2520 feet to less than 30 feet - 45.25How to RegisterApplication to register a vessel may be made at any Colorado Parksand Wildlife Office. Please see our Contact Us page spx) for a list of office locations, orcall the CPW Call Center at 303.297.1192 for a location near you.You can download and complete the Boat Registration formvia this link VSnowmobileRegistration.pdf) and return it, along with yourproof of ownership when you visit our offices.What constitutes acceptable proof of ownership? A Bill of sale that includes both the seller and buyer’s printednames and signatures, the vessel/vehicle identification number (ifany), the vessel/vehicle make, model and year (if known), and thedate of the sale; Previous registration certificate issued by a governmental entitythat lists the applicant as registered owner; Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)/ManufacturerStatement of Origin (MSO); Certificate of Title Any court issued document proving ownership; A collection of personal property by affidavit form pursuant to15-12-1201, C.R.S.; 430 feet or greater - 75.25*Motorboats and sailboats must have an aquatic nuisancespecies (ANS) stamp prior to launching in Colorado.Please refer to page 46 for more details. This change took effectJan. 2019.*Vessel Classification (CPW Regulation #205)Vessels in the State of Colorado are divided into four classes. Class A - Vessels less than sixteen feet in length. Class 1- Vessels sixteen feet (4.87 meters) or over and less thantwenty-six feet (7.92 meters) in length. Class 2 - Vessels twenty-six feet (7.92 meters) or over and lessthan forty feet (12.19 meters) in length. Class 3 - Vessels forty feet (12.19 meters) to not more than sixtyfive feet (19.18) in length.Vessel Measuring For Classification (CPW Regulation #206)For determining “class”, the length of a boat is from end to end overthe deck excluding sheer. It means a straight line measurement of theoverall length from the foremore part of the vessel measuring parallelto the centerline. Bowsprits, fenders, rudders,outboard motors andbrackets, and similar fittings or attachments are not to be included inthe measurement. Length shall be stated in feet and inches or meters.5

Display of Numbers and Registration StickersBoat Numbers and StickersAlong with your yearly validation stickers, you will receive yourboat registration card in the mail. The yearly validation stickersand registration numbers issued at the time of registration must beclearly visible and attached on each side of the bow on the forwardhalf of the vessel, usually on the bow (see images on page 7).Yearly validation stickers must be securely affixed two inches tothe left of the “C” and in line with, the registration numbers. Thenumbers must be visible from each side of the vessel. No othernumbers, letters or devices may be placed in the vicinity of thestate-assigned number. To separate the numerals from the letters, spaces the width of theletter “C” or hyphens may be used between the prefix and thenumber, and between the number and the suffix. Letter and numerals must be block characters at least three incheshigh and of a color that contrasts with the background and somaintained as to be clearly visible and legible. In determiningheight and contrast any border, trim, outlining or shading aroundthe number shall not be considered.(CRS 33-13-104 (1))Personal Watercraft Numbers and StickersCL 5578JSCL 5578JSDealer Licenses (CPW Regulation #201)The numbering requirements described by law shall apply to themotorboats and sailboats operated by manufacturers and dealers.The description of the motorboat or sailboat will be removed andthe word “manufacturer” or “dealer” as appropriate will be plainlymarked on each certificate. Dealers and manufacturers shall displaythe numbers on a detachable plate. If placement on a flared bow or if there are

and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Rules and Regulations, but uses layman’s terms rather than legal language in most instances. Not all provisions of law pertaining to boating are included here. Consequently, this brochure is not suitable for use in law enforcement or in litigation. To find exact state statutes and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Rules