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Colorado Boater Education Card (2026)

Conditional: In Colorado a motorboat operator must be 18+, and 14-17-year-olds must complete a state-approved boating safety course to operate a motorized vessel.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: cpw.state.co.us →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Boater Education Card in states bordering Colorado

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

ArizonaInfo
Arizona has no statewide boater-education card requirement to operate; AZGFD courses are voluntary except when ordered by a court after a boating conviction.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: azgfd.com · Full Arizona rule →
KansasConditional
Kansas requires any person under age 21 who wants to operate a vessel without direct and audible supervision to complete an approved boater education course (KSA 32-1125e).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: ksoutdoors.com · Full Kansas rule →
NebraskaConditional
Nebraska requires anyone born after Dec 31, 1985 to complete a boating safety course and carry the certificate while operating a boat or PWC; minimum operating age is 14.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: outdoornebraska.gov · Full Nebraska rule →
New MexicoConditional
New Mexico requires a boater education card for anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1989 who operates a motor-powered vessel or a sailboat.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: emnrd.nm.gov · Full New Mexico rule →
OklahomaConditional
Oklahoma requires anyone 12-15 operating a boat over 10 hp, a sailboat 16 ft or greater, or a PWC to complete a boating safety education class; not required for adults.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: oklahoma.gov · Full Oklahoma rule →
UtahConditional
Utah requires a mandatory boating safety course only for youth ages 12-17 to operate a personal watercraft; no general adult motorboat education requirement.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: recreation.utah.gov · Full Utah rule →
WyomingInfo
Wyoming has no mandatory boater-education card to operate a motorboat; operators must be at least 16, and safety courses are offered voluntarily.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: wgfd.wyo.gov · Full Wyoming rule →

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