Wakeboard & Water Ski Specialty (WWS Boats)

Under Colorado law, the youngest person who may operate a motorboat, including a personal watercraft, is 14. Operators ages 14 through 17 must complete a Colorado Parks and Wildlife approved boating safety course and possess the certificate issued by the course provider; people under 14 may not operate a motorboat. At 18, the youth certificate requirement no longer applies. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (cpw.state.co.us)

Colorado does not require a boating license or safety card for recreational motorboat operators age 18 or older. Operators ages 14 through 17 may operate only after completing a Colorado Parks and Wildlife approved boating safety course and carrying the provider issued certificate; this rule includes personal watercraft. Anyone under 14 may not operate a motorboat.

Rental customers are not exempt: renters under 18 must meet the same age and certificate requirements, and the state rule provides no temporary rental certificate alternative. The age and education requirements do not apply on bodies of water located on private property. Colorado Parks and Wildlife administers the program.

Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (cpw.state.co.us)

From Denver, choose Chatfield Reservoir, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Bear Creek Reservoir or Big Soda Lake. Chatfield suits a mixed day: its main body is a power zone for general boating and water skiing, while the reservoir’s two ends have large no-wake zones; launch at the North or South ramp. Cherry Creek offers open reservoir boating with east and west public ramps and a marina. At Bear Creek Lake Park, Bear Creek Reservoir is no-wake and has a boat ramp. Big Soda Lake allows non-motorized craft only, with its own ramp and summer paddlecraft rentals. These are separate lakes, so choose your launch before leaving Denver.

Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (cpw.state.co.us)

Good day-trip stops from Denver include Chatfield Marina, Cherry Creek Reservoir’s Swim Beach and Tower Loop, plus Senac Cove and Lone Tree Cove at Aurora Reservoir. Chatfield Marina draws crews with seasonal boat rentals and a floating restaurant. Cherry Creek’s sandy, roped swimming area offers a beach break with a bathhouse, while Tower Loop is popular with shore and boat anglers. At Aurora Reservoir, nonmotorized boaters can use Senac Cove and Lone Tree Cove as named destinations while exploring the reservoir.

Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (cpw.state.co.us)