Overview
Every registered motorized or sail-powered boat also owes Colorado's Aquatic Nuisance Species stamp - $25 for residents, $50 for non-residents - money that directly funds the roughly 77 inspection and decontamination stations working to keep invasive zebra and quagga mussels out of Colorado reservoirs. Pure paddle craft with no motor or sail, like canoes and kayaks, skip registration entirely; they just need the owner's name and address marked on the hull.
01 - Official fees
Colorado boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 feet | $36.25 | annual, calendar year |
| 20 feet to under 30 feet | $46.25 | |
| 30 feet and over | $76.25 | |
| ANS stamp, resident | $25.00 | required on every registered boat |
| ANS stamp, non-resident | $50.00 | |
| Sales/use tax on purchase | 2.9% + local | same district rates as vehicles |
| Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards (no motor/sail) | $0 | exempt - must mark owner name & address |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county motor vehicle office (Colorado DMV sets the rules) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Colorado
- 1
Confirm the craft needs registration - any motorized boat, and any sailboat regardless of motor, must register with CPW.
- 2
Gather proof of ownership: a bill of sale, prior registration, or manufacturer's certificate.
- 3
Apply online at the CPW shop, by mail, or at a CPW office or license agent.
- 4
Pay the length-based annual fee, the mandatory ANS stamp, and sales/use tax if this is a new purchase.
- 5
Display your Colorado registration numbers and current decal on the bow as required.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Colorado vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Colorado boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Colorado?
For a full calendar year: $36.25 under 20 feet, $46.25 from 20 to under 30 feet, $76.25 at 30 feet and over. Every registered boat also needs the $25 (resident) or $50 (non-resident) ANS stamp on top, and it doesn't prorate - buy in October and you still pay the full-year fee.
Does Colorado issue a title for boats?
No - Colorado is a no-title state for watercraft. CPW issues a Certificate of Number and registration instead; proof of ownership for a used boat comes from a bill of sale, the previous registration, or a manufacturer's certificate rather than a title document.
What is the ANS stamp and can I skip it?
It's mandatory for every registered motorized or sail-powered vessel - $25 for Colorado residents, $50 for non-residents - and funds the state's aquatic nuisance species inspection and decontamination program that screens boats for invasive zebra and quagga mussels before they launch on Colorado reservoirs.
Do kayaks and canoes need to register?
Not if they're pure paddle craft with no motor and no sail - those are exempt from CPW registration entirely, though the owner's name and address must be legibly marked on the hull. Add a trolling motor or a sail and registration becomes mandatory.
Is there sales tax on a used boat bought from a private seller?
Yes - Colorado taxes boat purchases the same way it taxes vehicles, at the state's 2.9% plus your local county/city rate, based on the purchase price, generally collected when you register the boat.
Does my boat trailer register with CPW too?
No - the trailer is a vehicle and registers through your county motor vehicle office like any other trailer, completely separate from the boat's CPW registration and its own Specific Ownership Tax and fee stack.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.