Quick answer
In Colorado, registration is required for: Any boat with a motor or sail operated on public waters in Colorado. Registration is handled by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), is valid for 1 year (January 1 – December 31), and fees are summarized as Resident annual totals listed from $61.25 to $101.25 including ANS stamp; purchase tax or local add-ons may still apply.
Official source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) · Source status: Verified · Last checked in site data: August 10, 2026 · All official state agencies
Colorado Registration Guides
Use these Colorado-specific guides for renewal, title, tax, non-resident, vessel-type, and paperwork questions that need more detail than the state overview.
- Colorado Boat Registration Guide: CPW Fees, ANS Stamp & No-Title Rules (2026)
- Colorado Boat Sales Tax: 2.9% State Rate, Local Tax & Use Tax (2026)
- Colorado Non-Resident Boating: 60-Day Rule, ANS Stamp, Inspections (2026)
- Colorado Boat Ownership Without a Title: How to Prove You Own a Boat (2026)
- Colorado Kayak Registration Rules: Motorized Kayaks, Canoes, SUPs (2026)
- Colorado Jet Ski Laws: PWC Age, Registration, ANS Stamp (2026)
Vessel Types & Exemptions
In Colorado, registration is required for: Any boat with a motor or sail operated on public waters in Colorado. There are 2 categories of exempt vessels.
Registration is required for: Any boat with a motor or sail operated on public waters in Colorado
Exempt from registration:
- Non-motorized vessels without sails (must be marked with owner's name/address)
- Non-residents with valid home-state registration for up to 60 days
Registration Fees & Costs
Colorado boat registration fees can depend on vessel length, type, and other agency rules. Current state data summarizes them as Resident annual totals listed from $61.25 to $101.25 including ANS stamp. Sales/use tax: 2.9% state sales/use tax base before local rates and exemptions. Title fee information: No separate boat title fee listed.
| Vessel Class | Reg. Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|
| < 20 ft (annual) | $36.25 | $61.25 |
| 20–29 ft (annual) | $46.25 | $71.25 |
| 30+ ft (annual) | $76.25 | $101.25 |
Listed Colorado totals include the resident ANS stamp shown in current state data. Nonresident ANS requirements and local tax treatment can change the filing cost.
Sales Tax: 2.9% state sales/use tax base before local rates and exemptions
Title Fee: No separate boat title fee listed
How to Register Your Boat in Colorado
To register a boat in Colorado, follow the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) process and complete registration before operating on public waters. Online registration is available. Registration is valid for 1 year (January 1 – December 31).
Registration can be completed:
- Online services: Use the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) portal for services the agency lists online; original documents may still be required for title or ownership transactions.
- In Person: At your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) office
- By Mail: Download forms from the official website
Documents to Check Before Filing
- Completed state registration application form, if the official agency requires one
- Ownership evidence such as a bill of sale, Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO), title, or prior registration
- Valid photo identification when required by the filing office
- Tax or fee payment documentation where applicable
- Hull Identification Number (HIN) details or inspection when requested by the official agency
Colorado Boat Title & Title Transfer
Colorado does not list a separate boat title requirement in current state data; use the official registration and ownership documents the agency requests. No separate boat title fee listed. No separate boat title-transfer fee listed.
Title required: No — Colorado does not title boats; CPW accepts proof of ownership such as a bill of sale, prior registration, MCO/MSO, certificate of title, court document, or CPW inspection
Title application fee: No separate boat title fee listed
Title transfer fee: No separate boat title-transfer fee listed
Documents to Check for Title or Ownership Transfer
- Bill of Sale or other acceptable proof of ownership
- Previous registration, MCO/MSO, certificate of title, court document, or CPW inspection form when applicable
- Valid photo ID
For a detailed guide on the title transfer process, see our Boat Title Transfer Guide.
Buying or Selling a Boat in Colorado
If you are selling a boat in Colorado, give the buyer a signed bill of sale, current registration records, and any title or ownership documents required by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). If you are buying, do not rely on the seller's word alone: match the Hull Identification Number (HIN) on the paperwork to the boat and confirm whether liens or title defects exist before paying.
| Transfer item | What to prepare in CO |
|---|---|
| Seller | Signed bill of sale, current registration, and release of interest. Because no separate boat title is listed in current state data, keep the prior registration and sale documents requested by the agency. |
| Buyer | Photo ID, application, payment for registration fees, tax if due, and proof of ownership. Verify the HIN before filing. |
| Title | No separate boat title is required in the current state data. |
| Tax | 2.9% state sales/use tax base before local rates and exemptions. |
For buyer and seller paperwork, use the boat bill of sale template, check how to look for liens, and compare boat title transfer fees by state.
Colorado Boat Registration Renewal
Validity period: 1 year (January 1 – December 31)
Colorado boat registration renewal follows the same agency channel as initial registration. Online renewal or online registration services are listed as available in current CO state data. Renew before the expiration date to avoid operating with expired registration.
For more details, see our Boat Registration Renewal Guide.
Boater Safety Education Requirements
Colorado requires a boater safety course. Youth operators must follow Colorado Parks and Wildlife's age-based boating safety course rules before operating covered vessels. The minimum age to operate a vessel is 14.
Required: Yes
Who must complete it: Youth operators must follow Colorado Parks and Wildlife's age-based boating safety course rules before operating covered vessels.
Accepted courses: CPW-approved courses, NASBLA-approved providers from other states accepted if state laws are not less restrictive
Course cost: Varies by provider
Minimum age to operate: 14 years old
Registration Number Display Rules
Number format: CO 1234 AB
Minimum font height: 3 inches minimum
Font style: Block letters, contrasting color to hull
Placement: Both sides of bow, forward half
Sticker placement: Yearly decals placed to the left of the registration number on both sides of the boat
For federal rules on registration number display, see our Number Display Rules Guide.
How Colorado Compares to Neighboring States
| State | Min. Fee | Validity | Title Req. | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $61.25 | 1 year (January 1 – December 31) | No | 2.9% state sales/use tax base before local rates and exemptions |
| Arizona | $20.00 | 1 year (12 months) | No | 5.6% state transaction privilege/use tax base before local rates and exemptions |
| Kansas | $42.50 | 3 years | No | 6.5% state sales tax base; dealer tax proof, local tax, or exemption documents may affect the final filing |
| Nebraska | $32.00 | 3 years | Yes | 5.5% state sales/use tax base when due; local tax, title, lien, and county transaction charges may also apply |
| New Mexico | $60.00 | 3 years | Yes | 5% boat excise tax may apply when a boat required to be registered is titled; confirm value, exemptions, and filing details with MVD |
| Oklahoma | $3.25 | 1 year or 3 years (July 1 – June 30) | Yes | Oklahoma boat excise tax and registration fees are based on the state fee schedule, not a flat sales-tax estimate; confirm the final amount with Service Oklahoma |
| Utah | Varies | 1 year (annual renewal) | Yes | Sales/use tax varies by registration locality |
| Wyoming | $40.00 | 1 year or 3 years | Yes | Wyoming state and local sales/use tax proof may be required before county title and WGFD registration are complete |
Colorado Boat Registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Colorado?
Does Colorado require boat titles?
Is boater education required in Colorado?
What is the ANS stamp in Colorado?
Can non-residents operate boats in Colorado?
How long is boat registration valid in Colorado?
Start Your Registration
Ready to register your boat in Colorado? Visit the official Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) website or use our tools to estimate costs.
Related Resources
- Arizona Boat Registration
- Kansas Boat Registration
- Nebraska Boat Registration
- New Mexico Boat Registration
- Oklahoma Boat Registration
- Utah Boat Registration
- Wyoming Boat Registration
- Compare Registration Costs Across All States
- How to Register a Boat: Step-by-Step Guide
- Boat Title Transfer Guide
- Registration Fee Calculator
This information is provided for reference purposes only. While we strive to keep data accurate and verified for 2026, registration requirements and fees may change. Contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) at 303-297-1192 for the most current information.