Spring is here, and Coloradans are heading to the water. But before you launch your boat or inflate your paddle-board, Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants you to understand the risks that come with early-season recreation on the state’s lakes and rivers.
Despite warm air temperatures, water in Colorado remains dangerously cold in March. Sudden immersion can trigger gasping, water inhalation, and hypothermia, causing unconsciousness or swimming failure as muscles seize up. It happens faster than most people expect, and it can happen to anyone.
Life jackets are the single most important piece of gear you can bring on the water. The majority of water-related deaths in Colorado occur because people simply are not wearing one. CPW officers are actively issuing $100 fines to boaters and paddlers who skip them, but the bigger issue is survival. A life jacket keeps your airway clear, holds your head above water, and supports your body if you lose consciousness.
“Although outdoor temperatures are warm, the water beneath is still very cold, so we encourage you to layer up and put on your life jacket before launching your boat.” – CPW Director Laura Clellan
Paddle-boards and kayaks are classified as vessels under Colorado law, meaning life jacket requirements apply to those on them as well. Snowmelt is also raising river levels across the state, creating strong currents and submerged hazards that are easy to miss until it is too late. CPW recommends checking real-time river flows before heading out and never paddling alone during high water.
There has already been one water-related fatality in Colorado this year. On average, around 30 people die in water-related incidents across the state every summer.
If you are heading to a reservoir or river this weekend, bring layers, paddle with a buddy, skip the alcohol, and wear your life jacket from the moment you launch. Colorado waters are not monitored by lifeguards. The responsibility for your safety is yours alone.
