How to register a boat in Colorado
Register before operating
Any boat with a motor or a sail must be registered before it is operated on Colorado public waters — there is no length threshold. When an already-registered boat changes hands, CPW must be notified within 15 days of the sale or transfer.
Apply through CPW
Register online at CPWShop.com, at any CPW office or state park office, or by mailing the application and fee to the CPW registration office in Littleton. Mailed applications take roughly two to four weeks to process.
Provide proof of ownership
Provide all legal owners' names, birth dates, and signatures, plus one acceptable proof of ownership — a bill of sale, manufacturer's statement of origin, a prior registration certificate naming you, a certificate of title from a titling state, a court document, or a CPW agent's physical-inspection form.
Display your number, decal, and buy the ANS stamp
Display the CO number (format CO 1234 AB) on each side of the bow in block letters at least three inches high in a contrasting color, with the validation decal alongside. Every motorboat and sailboat also needs the ANS stamp, and the proof of purchase must be kept on the person or vessel while operating.
Colorado registration fees
Colorado sets the vessel registration fee by length, and the amounts below are the bundled totals a Colorado resident pays for 2026 — they already include the $25 resident ANS stamp and a $1.25 Search-and-Rescue fee. The Search-and-Rescue surcharge rose about a dollar from the prior year; the resident ANS stamp stayed at $25.
| Class | Vessel length | Base fee |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 20 ft | Less than 20 ft | $61.25 |
| 20 ft to 29 ft 11 in | 20 ft to 29 ft 11 in | $71.25 |
| 30 ft and over | 30 ft and over | $101.25 |
2026 resident totals from the official CPW registration application, including the $25 resident ANS stamp and $1.25 Search-and-Rescue fee. A nonresident boat operated on Colorado waters instead needs the $50 nonresident ANS stamp. Homemade boats requiring a state HIN pay a $25 inspection fee. Confirm current amounts on the CPW registration page.
Titling in Colorado
Colorado does not title boats. It is a no-title state: CPW registers vessels but never issues a certificate of title, so ownership rests on the registration record plus your bill of sale. A title from another state is accepted only as one form of proof of ownership when you register.
USCG documentation is optional and is generally chosen for larger vessels. A federally documented boat with a motor or a sail that is operated on Colorado waters must still register with CPW and buy the ANS stamp, even though its ownership is recorded federally rather than in a state title — the relationship between the two systems is explained in state registration vs USCG documentation.
HIN requirements
Before registering, the applicant must physically inspect the boat for its hull identification number (HIN). If the boat has no HIN, or ownership cannot otherwise be proven, take it to a state park office for a physical inspection by a CPW officer — the resulting inspection form serves as proof of ownership and lets CPW create the ownership record.
For a homemade boat, CPW assigns a state hull number with the prefix "CLZ." There is a $25 inspection fee for a homemade boat that requires a hull identification number. An out-of-state boat with a valid factory HIN generally just needs the HIN verified against the ownership documents.
Before you register, decode any existing hull number with the HIN decoder to confirm the manufacturer and model year match your ownership paperwork.
Renewal
Colorado vessel registration runs on the calendar year — valid January 1 through December 31 — and expires December 31 regardless of when you registered during the year. CPW mails renewal reminder cards each November, and you can renew up to 45 days before expiration. No formal grace period is published, so renew before January 1 to keep the boat legal to operate.
Exemptions
Hand-propelled, non-motorized craft — canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, rowboats without a motor, rafts, and belly boats — are exempt from registration, but any sailboat must be registered because a sail alone triggers the requirement. Exempt craft must still be marked with the owner's name and current address. A boat with current registration from another state may operate in Colorado for up to 60 days before Colorado registration is required, though a motorboat or sailboat still needs the $50 nonresident ANS stamp to launch in the meantime. Federally documented vessels are exempt from displaying the CO number but must still register and buy the ANS stamp when operated on Colorado waters; most government vessels are exempt from registration fees.
Frequently asked questions
Does Colorado title boats?
No. Colorado is a no-title state — CPW registers boats but does not issue a certificate of title. Keep your bill of sale as proof of ownership.
Do I have to register my kayak, SUP, or canoe in Colorado?
No — hand-propelled, non-motorized craft are exempt from registration, but you must mark them with your name and current address. Add a motor or a sail and the craft must be registered.
Do I need the ANS stamp?
Yes, for any motorboat or sailboat. It is $25 for Colorado-registered or resident boats (bundled into the registration totals above) and $50 for a nonresident or out-of-state boat. Keep the proof of purchase on you or the boat while operating.
Do I register my boat in Colorado if it is USCG documented?
Yes, if it has a motor or a sail and is used on Colorado waters. A documented vessel is exempt from displaying the CO number but must still register with CPW and buy the ANS stamp.
I just moved here or bought an out-of-state boat — how long can I use it?
Up to 60 days on your current out-of-state registration; after that you must register with CPW. In the meantime a motorboat or sailboat still needs the $50 nonresident ANS stamp to launch.
Primary sources
Last verified .
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife — Register a Boat (retrieved 2026-07-16)
- CPW / CPWShop — 2026 Boat, OHV & Snowmobile Registration Application (fee source) (retrieved 2026-07-16)
- Colorado.gov — Renew Your Boat Registration Online (retrieved 2026-07-16)
- Boat-Ed Colorado — registration facts (transfer notice, non-motorized marking, documentation) (retrieved 2026-07-16)
Independent reference tool — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard or the National Maritime Center. Vessel data is derived from public USCG sources and may lag official records; always verify with the issuing authority.
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