Last updated 2026-08-18
TL;DR
Colorado has no state-level six-pack captain license. Your credential is the federal USCG OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels) license issued by the National Maritime Center. It renews every five years. The federal renewal fee is $45 as of 2024, and you must meet first aid, CPR, and drug testing requirements before submitting your package to the NMC.
Do you need a license for six-pack captain in Colorado?
Yes, but it's a federal license, not a Colorado state license. Colorado does not issue a separate state operator credential for commercial passenger-carrying vessels. The license you need is the USCG OUPV, commonly called a six-pack captain license, issued by the U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center (NMC). That license is what lets you legally carry up to six paying passengers on an uninspected vessel in U.S. waters, including Colorado's rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Colorado does have a state boating registration system administered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and vessels operating on state waters must be registered with CPW. But registration applies to the boat, not the operator, and it's not a substitute for the federal OUPV credential. If you charge passengers to take them on the water, the USCG license is what the law requires regardless of which state you're in.
The governing federal statute is 46 U.S.C. § 8903, which sets the operator licensing requirement for uninspected passenger vessels. [1] Nothing in Colorado state law creates a parallel captain licensing regime that would duplicate or replace this federal requirement.
How does six-pack captain renewal work in Colorado (the federal process)?
Because Colorado's credential is federal, renewal happens through the NMC, not through any Colorado agency. The NMC issues OUPV licenses in five-year increments. Your license expiration date is printed on your credential. You can submit a renewal application up to eight months before that date without losing time on your next five-year cycle.
The NMC processes renewals through its online Mariner Credential (MC) portal. You create or log into a mariner account at the NMC website, submit required medical and training documentation, pay the federal fee, and the NMC mails your renewed credential. [2] The whole process is paperwork and mail. There's no in-person office in Colorado you need to visit.
Here's what the NMC requires for a standard OUPV renewal:
- A completed application (CG-719B)
- Proof of a valid first aid and CPR certification (must be current within 12 months of your application date)
- A completed chemical drug test (negative result, taken within 12 months of your application)
- A current medical certificate (CG-719K), which requires a physician exam
- Payment of the application fee
If your license has already expired, you have a five-year grace period to renew without retaking the full original exam, but after that grace window closes you would need to reapply from scratch. [3] Don't let it lapse that long.
Colorado has no state-level renewal overlay on top of this. No CPW form, no state fee, no Colorado-specific training requirement. The federal checklist is your entire checklist.
How much does six-pack captain renewal cost in Colorado?
The federal application fee for an OUPV renewal is $45. That's the NMC's published fee for a renewal credential as of fiscal year 2024. [4] There's no Colorado state fee added on top because there's no state license.
The $45 federal fee, though, is the smallest line item in your actual out-of-pocket cost. Here's a realistic breakdown of what you'll spend to complete a renewal package:
| Item | Typical cost range |
|---|---|
| NMC application fee | $45 |
| DOT/USCG drug test (five-panel) | $50 to $90 |
| First aid/CPR certification course | $30 to $80 |
| Physician exam for CG-719K medical certificate | $75 to $200 |
| Total realistic range | $200 to $415 |
Those ranges reflect real market prices in Colorado. Urban Front Range areas (Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins) generally sit toward the higher end for medical exams. Rural western slope areas vary more. If your employer runs a DOT drug testing program you may already be in a random pool that satisfies the chemical test requirement, which saves that line item. Confirm that your existing program meets USCG requirements before assuming it qualifies.
The federal fee schedule is set by statute and the NMC publishes updates when fees change, so confirm the current $45 figure at the NMC fee page before you submit your package. [4]
How long does six-pack captain renewal take in Colorado?
The NMC's published processing target for credential renewals is 30 days from receipt of a complete application package. [5] In practice, processing times vary. The NMC posts current average processing times on its website, and that page is worth checking before you submit because backlogs have historically ranged from a few weeks to several months depending on application volume.
Gathering your documents before you submit is usually what takes the most time. First aid and CPR certifications from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association are valid for two years, so if yours is current you can skip that course. A DOT drug test result is typically available within 24 to 72 hours at most collection sites. The physician exam for the CG-719K can take a week or more to schedule in some Colorado areas. Plan for two to four weeks to assemble a complete package, then add NMC processing time on top.
Submit early. The NMC allows applications up to eight months before expiration, and submitting six months out gives you plenty of cushion against processing delays without losing any time on your new five-year credential. If you're running charters on Colorado's rivers or lakes during peak summer season, you cannot afford to be without a valid credential when the season opens.
What medical requirements apply at renewal?
Every OUPV renewal requires a new medical certificate on form CG-719K. [6] This isn't a one-time thing. The CG-719K must be completed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, and the exam covers vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and any conditions that might affect your ability to safely operate a vessel.
The medical certificate is valid for up to two years for mariners under 46 and one year for those 46 and older. If your CG-719K expires before your license does, you need to get a new exam even mid-cycle. This catches some captains off guard.
Colorado has no state-specific health standards layered on top of the federal CG-719K requirements. You just need a provider willing to complete the form. Most primary care physicians can do it. Some are unfamiliar with the specific USCG form, so bring a blank CG-719K to the appointment.
If you have a disqualifying medical condition under USCG standards, you may apply for a waiver through the NMC. The waiver process takes additional time, so factor that in if your situation is complex.
Does Colorado have any state boating requirements that affect charter operators?
Colorado requires all motorized vessels and sailboats over 8 feet to be registered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. [7] That applies to the vessel you operate as a charter captain, not to you personally as an operator. Registration is annual and tied to the boat's owner.
CPW also has boating safety education requirements for boat operators on Colorado waters, but those requirements apply to recreational operators and are satisfied by anyone who holds a valid USCG merchant mariner credential. If you have your OUPV license, the CPW education requirement is already met. [7]
Charter operators running commercial trips on Colorado rivers should also be aware of outfitter licensing requirements administered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife under the Colorado Outfitter Licensing Act. [8] That's a business license for the outfitting operation, separate from your personal USCG captain credential. The two requirements don't overlap, but both apply if you're running a commercial river guiding operation.
Rapid-water commercial rafting on designated Colorado rivers also falls under Colorado Department of Natural Resources oversight for commercial outfitter permits. Your OUPV credential satisfies the federal operator licensing piece. The outfitter permit covers your right to operate commercially on state-managed water.
What happens if your six-pack license expires before you renew?
Federally, you have a five-year grace period after expiration to renew without retaking the full original exam process. The NMC calls this the 'reactivation' pathway. You still need to submit a complete renewal package including current medical certificate, drug test, and first aid documentation, but you don't have to retake the original OUPV written and rules-of-the-road exams. [3]
Operating as a paid charter captain on an expired credential is illegal under federal law. The penalty under 46 U.S.C. § 8907 includes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. [9] That's not a theoretical risk. USCG boarding officers do check credentials on commercial vessels.
If your license has been expired for more than five years, you've crossed out of the grace window and face the full original application process: proctored exams, sea service documentation, and all original requirements. Start early to avoid that outcome.
Where do you actually submit a Colorado six-pack renewal?
Everything goes to the NMC, not to any Colorado office. The NMC has one mailing address for credential applications:
National Maritime Center 100 Forbes Drive Martinsburg, WV 25404
You can also upload documents through the NMC's mariner portal for certain application types, but for full renewal packages many mariners still mail the physical forms along with original documentation. Check the NMC's current submission guidance because the online portal's capabilities have expanded over the past few years. [2]
There's no USCG Regional Examination Center in Colorado as of 2024. The nearest REC locations are in Seattle and Anchorage to the north and west, and St. Louis to the east. For Colorado mariners, mail or online submission to Martinsburg is the standard route. Some Colorado mariners preparing for original licenses use approved testing centers for the written exams, but renewal applicants generally don't need to appear in person at an REC.
If you want help assembling your renewal package, OUPVPath's $149 USCG OUPV + Bareboat Kit at /start covers both original and renewal document checklists and walks through each NMC form in sequence. That's genuinely the cheapest complete resource available. A maritime attorney consultation runs $300 to $500 per hour for the same guidance.
Drug testing for OUPV renewal: what Colorado captains need to know
The USCG requires a chemical drug test as part of every OUPV renewal. The test must meet DOT 49 CFR Part 40 standards and must return a negative result. [10] You can't use a home test kit. It must be collected at a certified collection site and processed by a SAMHSA-certified laboratory.
Colorado's recreational marijuana laws do not affect this requirement. Cannabis is federally controlled, and the USCG operates under federal law. A positive THC result is a disqualifying drug test result for OUPV renewal purposes regardless of Colorado state law. This trips up some Colorado captains who assume state legality translates to federal tolerance. It doesn't.
Certified collection sites are widely available in Colorado. Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, and many urgent care chains all offer DOT-compliant testing. Results come back in one to three business days for a negative screen, longer if the lab flags the specimen for further testing.
If you're enrolled in a random drug testing pool through a USCG-approved Consortium/Third Party Administrator (C/TPA), that participation satisfies the pre-employment/renewal testing requirement if the C/TPA can produce documentation of your negative test within the 12-month window. Confirm the documentation with your C/TPA before submitting.
How does Colorado six-pack renewal compare to other states?
Colorado is a federal-only state for captain credentialing. So are most landlocked states. The comparison below shows Colorado alongside a few coastal states that do have state-level overlay requirements, to illustrate what Colorado captains don't have to deal with.
| State | State captain license layer? | State fee on top of federal? | State drug test? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | No | No | No |
| California | No (state vessel registration only) | No | No |
| Florida | No (but state charter boat inspections apply) | No | No |
| Alaska | No (federal only) | No | No |
Every state on this list ultimately depends on the same federal OUPV credential. The practical differences emerge in state outfitter licensing, vessel inspection requirements, and specific waterway use permits, not in the captain's personal license.
For Colorado captains operating on navigable rivers (the Colorado River system, portions of the Arkansas), the federal nexus is clear and USCG authority is unambiguous. For operations on non-navigable waters, the federal licensing requirement technically depends on whether the vessel is engaged in interstate commerce, but in practice the OUPV is the credential the industry and insurance markets expect regardless.
See how neighboring states handle the same process: six-pack captain renewal in Arizona and six-pack captain renewal in California run through the same federal checklist with local notes on testing sites and outfitter permits.
What's the complete renewal checklist for a Colorado six-pack captain?
Here's the full list in the order you should complete each item:
1. Confirm your license expiration date. Find it on your credential or log into the NMC mariner portal. 2. Schedule and complete a physician exam for the CG-719K medical certificate. Allow one to two weeks for the appointment and form completion. 3. Get a DOT-compliant drug test at a certified collection site in Colorado. Results in one to three business days. 4. Complete a current first aid and CPR course if your certification has expired or will expire within 12 months of your planned submission date. American Red Cross and American Heart Association courses both qualify. 5. Download and complete USCG form CG-719B (the renewal application). 6. Pay the $45 NMC application fee. You can pay by credit card through the online portal or by check with a mailed package. 7. Assemble the package and submit to the NMC in Martinsburg, WV (or upload through the portal if your submission type qualifies). 8. Track your application status through the NMC mariner portal.
Allow 30 to 90 days total from start to receipt of your renewed credential. Submitting six months before expiration removes all time pressure.
The NMC posts its current required forms and checklists at its official website. [2] Always pull fresh copies of the forms rather than using a version you saved from a previous application cycle, because form versions change.
Resources and next steps for Colorado six-pack captains
The NMC's official website at marinerlicensing.uscg.mil is your primary reference for forms, fee schedules, and current processing times. Everything the NMC needs from you is documented there, and the mariner portal is where you track your application status. [2]
Colorado Parks and Wildlife handles vessel registration and state outfitter licensing questions at cpw.state.co.us. If you run commercial trips on Colorado rivers and need to work through the outfitter permit process alongside your federal credential, CPW is the correct agency. [7]
If you're working on your first OUPV or want a structured walkthrough of the renewal package assembly, OUPVPath's USCG OUPV + Bareboat Kit at /start covers both the original application and renewal documentation at a one-time cost of $149. It's genuinely useful if you want the forms organized in sequence rather than hunting through the NMC website. Beyond that, the NMC's own materials are free and accurate.
For comparison with other mountain west states: six-pack captain renewal in Idaho and six-pack captain renewal in Alaska follow the same federal framework with state-specific notes worth reviewing if you operate across state lines.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license for six-pack captain in Colorado?
Yes. You need the federal USCG OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels) license to legally carry paying passengers on a vessel in Colorado. Colorado has no separate state captain license. The federal credential, issued by the National Maritime Center, is what both the law and the insurance market require.
How much does six-pack captain renewal cost in Colorado?
The federal NMC renewal fee is $45 as of 2024. On top of that, expect $50 to $90 for a DOT drug test, $30 to $80 for first aid/CPR recertification, and $75 to $200 for the physician exam required for the CG-719K medical certificate. Total realistic out-of-pocket cost runs $200 to $415 depending on where you are in Colorado.
How long does six-pack captain renewal take in Colorado?
Plan for two to four weeks to gather your documentation (drug test, medical exam, first aid cert), then add the NMC's current processing time, which targets 30 days but can run longer during peak periods. Total time from start to receiving your renewed credential is typically six to ten weeks. Submit at least six months before expiration.
Can marijuana use affect my OUPV renewal in Colorado?
Yes. The USCG drug test operates under federal law, not Colorado state law. A positive THC result disqualifies you regardless of Colorado's recreational marijuana rules. The test must be a DOT-compliant five-panel screen at a certified collection site. Home tests don't count and state legality doesn't change the federal standard.
Where do I submit my six-pack renewal application if I live in Colorado?
You submit to the National Maritime Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. There's no USCG Regional Examination Center in Colorado. Mail your package to the NMC's address at 100 Forbes Drive, Martinsburg, WV 25404, or upload eligible documents through the NMC's online mariner portal.
How often does a six-pack captain license need to be renewed?
Every five years. The NMC issues OUPV credentials in five-year terms. You can submit your renewal application up to eight months before your expiration date. If your license expires, you have a five-year grace period to renew without retaking original exams, but operating with an expired credential is illegal.
Does Colorado require any state boating safety course for charter captains?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife requires boating safety education for recreational vessel operators, but anyone who holds a valid USCG merchant mariner credential is exempt from the CPW education requirement. Your OUPV license satisfies it. No additional Colorado state course is required specifically for charter captains.
What is the CG-719K and do I need it for renewal?
The CG-719K is the USCG physical examination report form. Yes, you need a current one for every renewal. A licensed physician, PA, or nurse practitioner must complete the exam and sign the form. The certificate is valid for two years if you're under 46, and one year if you're 46 or older.
What first aid and CPR certifications are accepted for OUPV renewal?
The NMC accepts certifications from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and other recognized providers. The certification must be current, meaning it should not expire before your application is processed. Most courses are valid for two years. Complete the course within 12 months of your planned application submission date.
Do I need a Colorado outfitter license in addition to my USCG license?
If you operate a commercial outfitting business on Colorado rivers or lakes, yes. Colorado Parks and Wildlife administers outfitter licensing under the Colorado Outfitter Licensing Act. That's a separate business license for the commercial operation and applies alongside your personal USCG OUPV credential, not instead of it.
Can I renew my OUPV online, or do I have to mail everything?
The NMC's online mariner portal supports uploading many documents electronically, and you can pay the $45 fee by credit card through the portal. Some application types allow fully online submission. Check the NMC's current portal guidance at the time of your renewal, since the portal's capabilities have expanded and procedures can change.
What happens if my six-pack license expired years ago, and how do I renew in Colorado?
If your license expired less than five years ago, you can renew through the NMC's reactivation process without retaking original exams. You still need a current drug test, medical certificate, and first aid cert. If it's been more than five years since expiration, you must restart the full original application process including written exams and sea service documentation.
Is there a USCG Regional Examination Center in Colorado?
No. Colorado has no USCG Regional Examination Center. Colorado mariners apply and renew by mail or online through the NMC in Martinsburg, WV. For original OUPV applicants who need proctored written exams, approved third-party testing centers in Colorado can administer the exams under NMC authorization.
How is the Colorado six-pack renewal process different from states like Florida or California?
It's essentially the same federal process everywhere. Colorado, Florida, and California all use the same NMC OUPV renewal pathway with the same forms, fees, and requirements. Practical differences are in state outfitter licensing, vessel inspection rules, and specific commercial waterway permits, not in the personal captain credential itself.
Sources
- U.S. Code, 46 U.S.C. § 8903, Licenses of operators of uninspected passenger vessels: Federal statute requiring operators of uninspected passenger vessels carrying passengers for hire to hold a USCG license
- U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center, Mariner Licensing and Documentation: NMC processes OUPV renewal applications, operates the mariner portal, and publishes required forms and submission guidance
- U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center, Renewal and Reactivation of Merchant Mariner Credentials: OUPV licenses can be renewed up to eight months before expiration; a five-year grace window allows reactivation without retaking original exams
- U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center, Credential Fees: Federal NMC renewal application fee of $45 for OUPV credentials as of fiscal year 2024
- U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center, Processing Times: NMC's published processing target for credential renewals is 30 days from receipt of a complete application
- U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center, Medical Certificates (CG-719K): Every OUPV renewal requires a new CG-719K medical certificate completed by a licensed physician, PA, or nurse practitioner
- Colorado Revised Statutes § 33-14.5-101 et seq., Colorado Outfitter Licensing Act: Commercial outfitting operations on Colorado waters require a separate state outfitter license administered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife under the Colorado Outfitter Licensing Act
- U.S. Code, 46 U.S.C. § 8907, Civil penalty: Civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation for operating without a valid USCG license on an uninspected passenger vessel
- DOT 49 CFR Part 40, Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs: USCG drug tests for mariner credential renewals must meet DOT 49 CFR Part 40 standards including use of a SAMHSA-certified laboratory