Colorado Boating

Laws and Safety Equipment
Return to Table of Contents
1	Video
2	Laws
3	Numbering and Registration
4	Safety Equipment-Life Jackets
5	Fire Extinguishers
6	Visual Distress Signals
7	Ventilation
8	Mufflers
9	Backfire and Flame Control
10	Whistle Bell and Horn
11	Navigation Lights
12	Pollution and Garbage
13	Reckless Operation
14	River Restrictions
15	Buoys
16	Personal Watercraft
17	Water Skiing
18	Diving
19	Boating Under the Influence
20	Accidents
21	Homeland Security
22	Chapter Review

a boat less than sixteen feet in length which: has an outboard motor or an inboard motor which uses an internal combustion engine powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive propulsion
is designed with the concept that the operator and passenger ride on the outside surfaces of the vessel as opposed to riding inside the vessel;
has the probability that the operator and passenger, in the normal course of use, may fall overboard. Personal watercraft includes, without limitation, a vessel where the operator and passenger ride on the outside surfaces of the vessel, even if the primary source of motive propulsion is a propeller, and a vessel commonly known as a "jet ski".

No person shall operate a personal watercraft unless each person aboard is wearing a personal flotation device of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard that is in a good and serviceable condition.
A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the original manufacturer with an engine cutoff switch lanyard shall attach such lanyard to his or her person, clothing or personal flotation device, as appropriate for the specific vessel.
No person shall operate a personal watercraft between one half hour after sunset and one half hour before sunrise.

The operation of personal watercraft, specialty propcraft, or vessels by the following personnel while in the performance of their official duties:

law enforcement;
emergency medical;
civil defense;
military;
state and federally approved wildlife;
those involved in biological research programs;
activity on private waters;
performers engaged in a professional exhibition or a person preparing to participate or participating in an officially sanctioned regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition in an area and at a time designated for that purpose.

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