Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Vessel Registration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rep. Morrow advances bill to continue Colorado water‑vessel registration program; committee approves technical amendment
Summary
Representative Morrow presented HB1197 to continue Colorado's water vessel registration program, saying registration funds public‑safety and infrastructure programs. The committee adopted amendment L001 (redefining 'vessel', defining 'vessel livery', extending records retention) and sent the bill to Appropriations, 13–0.
Representative Morrow introduced House Bill 11‑97 on behalf of Colorado Parks and Wildlife and moved to continue the state water vessel registration program, which was due to sunset. The committee adopted a technical amendment (L001) and voted 13–0 to send the bill, as amended, to the Appropriations Committee.
CPW witnesses said the registration program supports public safety and recreational infrastructure. "In fiscal year 2023 to 2024 more than 71,000 vessels were registered in the state of Colorado," Brian Phillips, boating safety and education and enforcement coordinator for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, told the committee. Phillips said registration dollars fund boat ramps and parking, help match federal boating‑safety grant funds, support CPW's life‑jacket loaner program and the agency's marine evidence recovery team.
"Continuing this program will ensure that CPW can continue to offer and provide a safe, responsible and fun recreational boating environment in the state of Colorado," Phillips said.
Morrow explained amendment L001 in detail. "This amendment does a few things. First, it updates the definition of vessel," she said, adding it also "defines vessel livery" to cover rental operations and extends record retention to three years to improve enforceability. The chair asked whether there were objections to L001; seeing none, the amendment was adopted by unanimous voice.
Committee members questioned witnesses about the program's scope. Phillips clarified that the registration requirement applies to motorized and non‑human‑powered sail propulsion (sailboats can be included when mechanically propelled) but excludes purely human‑powered craft such as paddles and windsurfers. He described CPW's marine evidence recovery work: "We use a lot of different types of technology like sonar, underwater ROVs...to be able to search underwater and to be able to help bring these victims back." Mia Twynam, registration program manager for CPW, was available to answer technical questions.
Representative Smith said she supports the bill and praised the life‑jacket loaner program. After debate and the amendment phase, Representative Morrow moved HB11‑97 as amended to Appropriations; Representative Smith seconded. Miss Kelly called the roll and the committee approved the motion 13–0.
Next steps: HB11‑97 as amended will be considered by the House Appropriations Committee.
