2017 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 33 - Parks and Wildlife
Parks
Article 13 - Vessels
§ 33-13-108. Prohibited vessel operations - rules

(1) (a) No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of a vessel:

(I) Which is not equipped as required by this article or rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto;

(II) Which emits noise in excess of the permissible level established in standards promulgated by the commission in accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.;

(III) Above a wakeless speed in areas zoned as wakeless, as defined by commission rule;

(IV) In a manner that violates any rule promulgated by the commission for safe use and operation of vessels.

(a.5) No person shall operate a personal watercraft between one half hour after sunset and one half hour before sunrise.

(b) Any person who violates paragraph (a) or (a.5) of this subsection (1) is guilty of a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of fifty dollars.

(2) (a) It is unlawful for any person to operate a vessel in a careless or imprudent manner without due regard for zoning, traffic, and other attendant circumstances or as to endanger any person, property, or wildlife. For purposes of this paragraph (a), careless or imprudent vessel operation includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(I) Becoming airborne or completely leaving the water while crossing the wake of another vessel at an unsafe distance from the vessel creating the wake or when visibility around such vessel is obstructed;

(II) Unsafely weaving through vessel traffic;

(III) Operating at such a speed and proximity to another vessel so as to require the operator of either vessel to abruptly swerve or to abruptly cut speed in order to avoid collision.

(b) Any person who violates paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) is guilty of a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of one hundred dollars.

(3) It is unlawful for any person to operate a vessel in a reckless manner. Any person who violates this subsection (3) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(4) Repealed.