Starting next week, you’ll have to be 18 to drive a boat in Colorado
May 20, 2024, 4:27 PM | Updated: May 21, 2024, 11:59 am
The next time you plan to have too many Bud Lights on the boat and let your 14-year-old drive it back to the dock, keep this in mind.
A new law will change the age requirements to operate a motorboat in Colorado on June 1.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the new law will prohibit the operation of a motorboat, including a personal watercraft (PWC/jet ski), by someone who is less than 18 years old in most scenarios.
Someone at least 14 years old but less than 18, however, may still operate a motorboat if they have completed a boating safety course approved by CPW and possess a boating safety certificate issued by the boating safety course provider.
The new law does not apply to non-motorized vessels like kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards.
Before the new law, anyone over 16 could operate a motorboat in Colorado.
