How to Get a Boating License in Colorado
Boaters aged 14 to 17 who operate motorboats in Colorado are required to complete and carry a boater-education card. The credential must come from a Colorado Parks and Wildlife-approved course that meets NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) standards. Operators in this age group should first confirm they fall within the required population, as education requirements in Colorado are based on operator age rather than birth year.
To obtain the card, an individual must enroll in an accepted NASBLA-approved boating-safety course, complete the instruction, and pass the required test. Upon successful completion, the course provider issues the boater-education certificate, which must be carried at all times while operating a motorboat.
For the most current list of approved courses and to confirm specific state rules, operators should visit the official Colorado Parks and Wildlife website or contact CPW directly, as course providers and requirements may change.
- Confirm whether you're in the population this state covers (cutoff / age band).
- Take the accepted course: CPW-approved (NASBLA-approved) boating-safety course certificate, required only for operators 14-17.
- Pass the test and receive your card or certificate.
- Carry it aboard whenever you operate, and confirm the current rule on the official state page.
Carry the card every time you operate
Once you’ve earned the card, keep it aboard whenever you operate — many states require you to show it on request, and a card from one state is usually honored in another. If you’ll boat across state lines, check each state’s rule, since the covered ages and accepted credentials differ. Always confirm the current requirement on the official state agency page.
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Course & fees for Colorado → · Full requirements →
Planning to get out on the water?
Once you’ve sorted your boater-education card, SamBoat lists boats you can rent from local owners. Independent partner — an option to explore, not an endorsement, and never a substitute for your state’s requirement.
Rent a boat near you (SamBoat) →Compiled from the official state source, cross-referenced against NASBLA, and verified June 2026. Always confirm the current rule on the official Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.