Boating is allowed on three of Denver Parks & Recreation lakes: Sloan’s Lake, Berkeley Lake in northwest Denver and Smith Lake in Washington Park. Sloan’s Lake allows boats longer than 12’, motorized boats with a maximum of 330 horsepower and allows water skiing. The length limit on the other two lakes is 12’. Sailing, canoeing, rowing and kayaking are allowed on all three lakes. A permit is required to launch any boat on a Denver lake, and the permit sticker must be displayed on the right side of the boat. Click here for the
Boating Handbook.
Boating permits are issued at the Boat Ranger's Office at Sloan’s Lake daily (25th & W. Byron), noon until dusk, beginning April 4th.
The season is April 11th - October 4th.
Linked Index
Fees
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Resident
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Non-resident
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Motor Boat (insurance required)
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$215
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$430
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Sailboat
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$110
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$215
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Dealer
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$13
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$25
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Rowboat, canoe, kayak, windsurfer
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$43
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$86
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Harbor (season)
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$105
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$205
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Lake Rental (see boating office)
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$800
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$900
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Contact Offices & Numbers
Boat Ranger's Office at Sloan’s Lake (25th & W, Byron) 303-458-4840
Rules and Regulations
1. A permit is required to launch any boat on a Denver lake, and the permit sticker must be displayed on the right side of the boat. Permits are non-transferrable, and permit holders are accountable for actions of boat operators.
2. Boating permits are issued at the Boat Ranger's Office at Sloan’s Lake daily, noon until dusk, beginning April 1. The following is required to obtain a permit:
a. Proof of residency.
b. Copy of state boat registration.
c. A copy of a valid Certificate of Insurance (sailboats over 12’ and all power boats only) in the minimum amount of $300,000.00 including bodily injury and property damage. This copy will remain on file at the Ranger's Office. The certificate must contain the insurance company’s acknowledgement to give written notice to the Parks and Recreation Department 10 days in advance, if the insurance is cancelled or terminated for any reason.
d. Compliance with all Coast Guard and State safety requirements, including: having a paddling device, a Coast Guard approved life jacket for each passenger, at least one buoyant cushion or life-ring buoy (if 16’ or over), an efficient whistle or other sound producing mechanical device, at least one B‑1 fire extinguisher having a capacity of at least two pounds (power boats only).
e. All boats must be licensed and numbered as required by the State of Colorado with displayed numbers at least two inches high clearly visible on both sides of the boat.
3. Swimming is not permitted in any Denver lake
4. Fishing from boats is prohibited
5. Rubber or inflatable rafts are not allowed on any Denver lake.
6. Denver's boating season is April through September.
7. Boat rangers patrol the lakes and may order off the water or revoke the permit (without refund) of persons disobeying rules or operating craft in a reckless manner.
8. Wearing a life jacket is recommended for all boaters and is mandatory for non-swimmers and those under 16 years of age.
9. Boat operators must be at least 16 years old or accompanied and supervised by an adult in the boat.
10. Alcoholic beverages of any sort are prohibited on Denver lakes or in boats, and at dock or launch sites.
Supplemental Policies
Berkeley and Smith Lakes
Sloan's Lake
1. Sloan’s Lake is Denver's largest and most active lake. Two lakes, Cooper and Sloan, connect and comprise Sloan Lake's 177 acres. Different activities are allowed in each of the lake areas. Many types of boats are allowed on Sloan Lake, and boat operators are reminded to be aware of the variety and capabilities of other boats at all times.
2. Hours -- Boating hours on Sloan Lake are as follows:
· Tuesday and Thursday noon until dusk*
· Friday through Monday 9 a.m. until dusk*
· Wednesday 1 p.m. until dusk*
· A water skiing program for people with disabilities is offered Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. June through August.
* Dusk is defined as when the street lights come on.
3. All boats enter the lake's east section (Cooper Lake) by the south channel, but motor boats leave by the north channel and sailboats leave by the south channel.
4. Buoyed areas should be observed, and the island between Sloan and Cooper Lake is off limits.
5. All boats operating above wakeless speed should remain 150 feet (2 full tow rope lengths) from shore and 100 feet from each other.
6. The south channel, harbor, loading, and docking areas are potentially hazardous: boaters should recognize the dangers, slow down and use caution.
7. Sail boats always have right-of-way over any motor boat.
Motor Boats
1. All power boats must be provided with a stock factory muffler or other device capable of adequately muffling the sounds of the engine so as not to create excessive noise. The discharge of cooling water through the exhaust of an inboard engine shall be considered an adequate muffling device.
2. All motor boats must have a transmission providing a reverse gear.
3. Counter-clockwise patterns for motor boats have been established and should be followed.
4. Boaters should observe wakeless speed in the harbor except for boats towing skiers preparing for take-off. Operator should look to the left to be sure there is no on-coming traffic before taking off.
5. Speed limit on Sloan Lake is 40 MPH.
6. While a boat is in motion, all passengers should remain seated and off gunwales.
7. Motor boats towing skiers have right of way over other motor boats, and sail boats have right of way over all motor boats.
Water Skiing
1. Boats pulling skiers must have a minimum of two people in the boat, a competent driver and a spotter. The spotter must be at least 10 years old and be capable of handling the tow rope and relaying skiers' signals to the driver.
2. Skiers must wear approved life jacket or a barefoot suit with built-in floatation. The barefoot suit must be approved by Boat Rangers.
3. Whenever a water skier is down in the water, the operator or observer of the tow boat shall display in a clearly visible manner an orange or red flag at least 12 inches square.
4. When a skier falls, the operator must circle at once to protect skier, stop engine and pull skier and rope into boat or make deep water start if conditions are favorable.
5. Boats must drop off skier(s) at designated dock, proceed to barrel entry area, stop and retrieve the rope, and proceed at wakeless speed through barrel pattern to take‑off docks.
6. Skiers wishing to discard one ski while performing must do so in designated ski drop area on the west side of the lake.
7. The ramp loading dock is not available for take-off or skier drop-off, and the west take-off dock is reserved for beginning skiers.
8. Skiers should remain 100 feet from the shore and from other boats, with no spraying.
9. Two evenings per week, on Monday and Wednesday, Cooper Lake operates on a one-boat rotation system to allow one boat at a time to enjoy smooth waters for beginning skiers, water skiing instruction and trick, barefoot and slalom course skiing. During these times, 1 p.m. until dusk, during these times, the following rules apply:
· Boats should enter and exit Cooper Lake at wakeless speed with skiers in the boats.
· Each boat will be allowed four passes, maximum, including falls. If more than four boats are using the course, there will be a two-pass maximum, or 15 minutes per boat, whichever is first.
· Turns will follow a counter-clockwise pattern, with no skiing around the island.
· If a skier falls, he or she should give an immediate "okay" hand signal.
· Boats should pull skiers up in deep water from the south side of the island and enter the area. After the skier's turn is finished, he or she should be dropped at the north side of the island and return to the boat.
· When using the slalom course, boats should enter through entrance gates, driving a straight path through the driver gates. If a skier falls, stop in the driver lane while the spotter checks for the skier's "okay" signal. If the skier is okay, turn slowly and return to the skier on the outside of the driver lane and proceed in the original direction outside of the driver lane. If a ball is cut from the course, please replace it or return it to the Ranger Station.
Sail Boats
1. Persons operating sail boats must wear life jackets.
2. Sail boats should enter and leave Cooper Lake by the south channel only and attempt to follow the counter-clockwise traffic pattern.
3. Sail boats should maintain a safe distance from the water skiing take-off area.
4. Sail boats have right of way over all motor boats.
Dealers
1. Dealers' permits are issued to dealers for testing boats and should not be used for recreational boating.
2. Dealers must fly a yellow dealer's flag at all times.
3. Each dealer's permit allows the operation of one boat at a time.
4. Dealers are expected to obey all rules, and must restrict their activity to Sloan Lake; Cooper Lake is off-limits to dealers.
Docks
1. Docks are provided at the north side of the lake for the use of all boaters and may not be reserved.
2. When more than 12 boats are on the lake, boats should not tie up to ski docks.
3. Docks should remain clear of personal belongings such as skis, chairs and blankets, so that all boaters can have access to the docks.
4. Sail boats should use only the sail boat docks, leaving the ski docks for water skiers.
BERKELEY AND SMITH LAKES
1. Berkeley Lake is located at W. 46th and Tennyson St., and Smith Lake is the larger of two lakes in Washington Park, at Downing and Exposition. (The harbor area of Sloan Lake is also available to smaller craft.)
2. These two lakes are available to rowboats, canoes, kayaks and small sailboats.
3. Hours -- are daily from 9 a.m. until dusk (when the street lights go on).
4. Life jackets are required, and the "buddy system" (at least two boats at a time) is in effect on these smaller lakes.
Exceptions or Closures
· Sloan’s Lake will be closed to regular boating on three days in July during the Dragon Boat Festival.
· Other events causing closures to regular boating will be posted when known.