By Manda Walters
Special to The SUN
River recreationists come to Colorado from all over the country to pursue adventure on Colorado waters. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, through licensing and regulation, ensures each enthusiasts guide has completed the necessary coursework and has the appropriate skill and ability to lead others on river rafts or boating excursions.
“Licensed outfitters go out of their way to make the public as safe as possible,” says CPW Boating Safety Manager Kris Wahlers. “When you go on a raft trip next summer, please ask to see the outfitter’s Colorado river outfitter license.”
According to the Colorado River Outfitters Association, there were more than 450,000 paying river passengers in 2013, with an economic impact to the state of over $145 million.
The River Outfitter Program (ROL) was established by the Colorado Legislature in 1984. This program gave responsibility to the Parks and Wildlife Commission for enacting rules and regulations necessary to ensure the safety of river running activities by setting guide training and required safety and environmental equipment requirements.
Under the guidance of Article 32 of Title 33, Colorado Revised Statutes, all persons who provide river-running services, such as guide services, in Colorado are required to first obtain a river outfitter license from CPW.
The 2015 Colorado Parks and Wildlife River Outfitter License Application is now available at http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Boating/RiverOutfitterApplication.pdf.
For more information and tips on completing the 2015 ROL initial or renewal license application, visit cpw.state.co.us.
