Read the full stored bill text
Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 26-0357.01 Sarah Lozano x3858 HOUSE BILL 26-1197
House Committees Senate Committees
Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources
Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING THE CONTINUATION OF THE VESSEL REGISTRATION101
PROGRAM.102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov/.)
Sunset Process - House Agriculture, Water, and Natural
Resources Committee. The bill continues the registration program for
vessels until September 1, 2036.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 25, 2026
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 24, 2026
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Mauro, McCormick, Boesenecker, Goldstein, Lindsay, Stewart K.
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Kipp,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-34-104, repeal1
(27)(a)(IV); and add (37)(a)(III) as follows:2
24-34-104. General assembly review of regulatory agencies3
and functions for repeal, continuation, or reestablishment - legislative4
declaration - repeal.5
(27) (a) The following agencies, functions, or both, are scheduled6
for repeal on September 1, 2026:7
(IV) The registration and regulation of vessels by the department8
of natural resources in accordance with article 13 of title 33, C.R.S.;9
(37) (a) The following agencies, functions, or both, are scheduled10
for repeal on September 1, 2036:11
(III) T HE REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF VESSELS BY THE12
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 1313
OF TITLE 33.14
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 33-13-116 as15
follows:16
33-13-116. Repeal of sections.17
Sections 33-13-103, 33-13-104, 33-13-105, and 33-13-107 and this18
section are repealed, effective September 1, 2026 SEPTEMBER 1, 2036.19
Prior to the repeal, the function of registration and regulation of vessels20
shall be reviewed as provided for in section 24-34-104.21
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 33-13-102, amend22
(5); and add (5.3) as follows:23
33-13-102. Definitions.24
As used in this article 13, unless the context otherwise requires:25
(5) (a) "Vessel" means every description of watercraft TYPE OF26
WATERCRAFT, EXCEPT A SEAPLANE ON THE WATER, used or capable of27
1197-2-
being used as a means of transportation of persons and property on the1
water, including all types of stand-up paddleboards BUT DOES NOT2
INCLUDE FISHING AIDS, AIR MATTRESSES, BEACH AND WATER TOYS, OR3
INNER TUBES.4
(b) "Vessel" does not include:5
(I) Any single-chambered, air-inflated devices that are not6
stand-up paddleboards; or7
(II) Seaplanes.8
(5.3) "VESSEL LIVERY" MEANS A PERSON THAT ADVERTISES AND9
OFFERS A VESSEL FOR RENT OR LEASE TO ANOTHER PERSON IN EXCHANGE10
FOR ANY KIND OF PAYMENT.11
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 33-13-107 as12
follows:13
33-13-107. Vessel liveries - repeal.14
(1) The owner or operator of A vessel livery shall keep a record15
of the name and address of each person who THAT hires any vessel that16
is designed or permitted to be operated as a vessel, the hull identification17
number of the vessel, and the departure date and time and the expected18
date and time of return of the vessel. Such records shall be preserved for19
at least thirty days THREE YEARS after the vessel is to be returned and shall20
be ARE subject to inspection by the division. Any person who THAT21
violates this subsection (1) commits a civil infraction and, upon22
conviction, shall be punished by a fine of one hundred dollars.23
(2) Neither the owner nor operator of A vessel livery nor such24
owner's or operator's OR THE VESSEL LIVERY'S agent or employee shall25
NOT permit any vessel to depart from his or her THE VESSEL LIVERY'S26
premises unless such vessel is equipped and registered as required by this27
1197-3-
article 13 and rules promulgated ADOPTED pursuant to this article 13. Any1
person who THAT violates this subsection (2) commits a civil infraction2
and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of one hundred dollars.3
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 33-17-107.1, amend4
(4) and (5) as follows:5
33-13-107.1. Minimum age of motorboat operators - penalty6
- exception.7
(4) Neither an owner or operator of A vessel livery nor OR an8
agent or employee of such owner or operator THE VESSEL LIVERY shall9
NOT lease, hire, or rent a motorboat to or for operation by any individual10
under eighteen years of age YEARS OLD; except that an individual fourteen11
years of age YEARS OLD or older who has not reached the individual's12
eighteenth birthday may be permitted or authorized to operate a13
motorboat if the individual has met the boating safety and certificate14
requirements of subsection (2) of this section.15
(5) A n y individual who PERSON THAT violates this section16
commits a civil infraction and, upon c onviction, shall be punished by a17
fine of one hundred dollars.18
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 33-32-102, amend19
(8) as follows:20
33-32-102. Definitions.21
As used in this article 32, unless the context otherwise requires:22
(8) (a) "Vessel" means every description of watercraft TYPE OF23
WATERCRAFT, EXCEPT A SEAPLANE ON THE WATER, used or capable of24
being used as a means of transportation of persons and property on the25
water, including all types of stand-up paddleboards BUT DOES NOT26
INCLUDE FISHING AIDS, AIR MATTRESSES, BEACH AND WATER TOYS , OR27
1197-4-
INNER TUBES.1
(b) "Vessel" does not include:2
(I) Any single-chambered, air-inflated devices that are not3
stand-up paddleboards; or4
(II) Seaplanes.5
SECTION 7. Act subject to petition - effective date6
applicability. (1) This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following7
the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the8
general assembly (August 12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13,9
2026); except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 110
(3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section,11
or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part12
will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election13
to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the14
date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor. 15
(2) This act applies to conduct occurring on or after the applicable16
effective date of this act.17
1197-5-