Care for Colorado Stewardship Partner Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) would like us to remind visitors and residents that while the temperatures are hot, in most areas the water remains cold. They strongly encourage everyone to wear a personal flotation device while enjoying water sports of any kind. As you will see below, we have included quite a few links featuring messaging about the importance of personal flotation devices.
In addition, let’s celebrate the fact that Colorado’s waters are currently clear of the zebra and quagga mussels, two highly destructive invasive species. Due to the CPW mandatory boat inspection program, CPW decontaminated 100 mussel-fouled boats in 2020 before they launched in Colorado waters. Please be sure to share one or more of the boating article links listed below about this successful program.
Water safety resources
Please feel free to share these assets on your own channels — just be sure to credit the partner organization and link back to their site.
- Safe Boating Colorado: Top 5 Reasons to Wear a Life Jacket
- CPW: Boating Resources
- CPW: Boating Safety Information
- CPW: Boating Safety Regulations
- CPW: Boating Under the Influence
- CPW: Colorado Boating Information
- CPW: Life Vest Information
- CPW: Paddle Boarding
- CPW: Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing
- CPW: River Safety and Etiquette
- CPW: Swim Beach Safety
- CPW Urges Paddleboarders to Wear PFDs
- CPW: Why to Always Wear a PFD
- Leave No Trace: How to Clean, Drain and Dry Your Boat
- Leave No Trace: Raft Right This Summer
- Leave No Trace: Riverside Picnicking
- Leave No Trace: Would You Drink It?!
- Bureau of Reclamation Water-Safety Information
- Otto the Otter Coloring Book
- Otto the Otter Canal Program Video
- NPS Water-Vessel Safety Information
- USDA Water-Safety Information
- Colorado River Outfitters Association: River Comfort, Fun and Safety Tips
- Colorado River Outfitters Association: River Ratings
- Colorado River Outfitters Association: Whitewater Safety Video
Social media posts
Share any of the posts below to encourage visitors to Care for Colorado on all their adventures. Don’t forget to tag @VisitColorado and @LeaveNoTraceCenter on all your posts.
- Having life jackets on board a vessel is not enough. Accidents happen too fast to put on a stowed life jacket, so be sure to wear yours at all times. #NationalSafeBoatingCouncil #CareForColorado #LeaveNoTrace
- During an emergency, clothing can become heavy or waterlogged while in the water. Even a strong swimmer needs to wear a life jacket. #NationalSafeBoatingCouncil #CareForColorado #LeaveNoTrace
- Wear a life-jacket style for your recreational water activity — fishing, water sports, boating, paddling and more. And don’t forget one for your pet! #NationalSafeBoatingCouncil #CareForColorado #LeaveNoTrace
- Rivers are powerful and always changing. Know Before You Go and always check current conditions before heading out on your water adventures. #CPW #CareForColorado #LeaveNoTrace
- Make sure your and your group's skills and experience match the river and its current conditions. #CareForColorado #LeaveNoTrace
- Never swim alone. Even experienced swimmers can tire and get muscle cramps, too. #CPW #CareForColorado #LeaveNoTrace
- Drink plenty of water, and listen to your body. Take breaks in the shade to avoid overheating. #CPW #CareForColorado #LeaveNoTrace
Care for Colorado Online Training Resources
We offer a free online hospitality training, including a new Hunting and Fishing module, sponsored by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
We invite you and your employees to take the free Colorado Concierge online training at any time to become even greater trusted sources of information for visitors and residents. There are six modules in total, the newest being the Hunting and Fishing module, plus five others you can take to learn about Care for Colorado, Colorado Essentials, Colorado-Stye Customer Service, Traveler Safety and Colorado Travel Regions.