How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in Colorado?
Registering a boat in Colorado costs $61.25–$101.25 per year, based on length. It's handled by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife and renews annually. Non-motorized craft like kayaks and canoes are generally exempt (check local rules for sailboats). Boats with motors — including trolling motors on otherwise unpowered craft — almost always require registration.
Cost by boat size
| Boat | Per year | One-time (title etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| 14-ft motorboat | $61.25 | — |
| 20-ft motorboat | $61.25 | — |
| 28-ft motorboat | $71.25 | — |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | Free — exempt from registration | |
- Totals include the mandatory $25 resident ANS (aquatic nuisance species) stamp and $1.25 search & rescue surcharge; nonresidents pay a $50 ANS stamp.
- Colorado does not title boats. Registration runs the calendar year.
Colorado: common questions
Do I have to register a kayak or canoe in Colorado?
Generally no — unpowered craft are exempt in Colorado. But the moment you mount any motor, including an electric trolling motor, registration is required.
How often do I renew a boat registration in Colorado?
Annually.
Do I have to register my boat trailer separately in Colorado?
Yes — in Colorado the boat and the trailer are two separate registrations. The boat's fee is above; the trailer registers as a utility trailer with the motor-vehicle agency, priced by the trailer's weight (often a low flat fee or a one-time permanent plate). See our Colorado trailer registration calculator for that cost.
Do I need a title for my boat in Colorado?
No — Colorado does not title boats. Your Certificate of Number (the registration) serves as the ownership record, so there's no separate title fee.
Do I have to register a jet ski or PWC in Colorado?
Yes — personal watercraft (jet skis, Sea-Doos, WaveRunners) are motorized vessels, so they register just like boats in Colorado, usually in the smallest length class. The same Colorado Parks & Wildlife handles them, and the same fee schedule applies.
Where do I register a boat in Colorado?
Boat registration in Colorado is handled by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife. You can generally register in person, by mail, or online, and you'll need proof of ownership (a bill of sale or title) plus the fee shown above. Renew every year before your decal expires.
Estimate your exact Colorado cost
Your boat
- Registration fee (by length)$61.25
Estimate only — actual fees are set by your state and county at the time of registration. Data last reviewed 2026-07-16.
All figures computed from official fee schedules — sources: https://dmv.colorado.gov/vehicles/vehicle-registration-fees · C.R.S. 42-3-107 (Specific Ownership Tax) · C.R.S. 43-4-804/805 (road & bridge surcharges) — last reviewed 2026-07-16.