Boat owners hoping to rent a slip at Larimer County reservoirs can enter a lottery system that ensures an open process for rental selection. The 2025 lottery runs Jan. 1 - Feb. 28. Visit this link for details.
Boating Access Hours
Every vessel entering Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake must be inspected for ANS. That requires specific hours of operation for boating. No boat launching is permitted outside of these hours; however, boats already on the reservoirs may continue operation. Ramps may be closed for poor weather conditions, water level, or staffing constraints. (Contact the Horsetooth or Carter Lake offices for weather updates and decontamination schedule information.)
Decontamination hours vary depending on staffing. See Decontamination Tab for more info.
Horsetooth Reservoir Boat Ramp Hours
View Horsetooth Reservoir South Bay Boat Ramp Webcam
| HOURS (updated 11/1/24) - Ramps begin to open April 1 | |
|---|---|
| South Bay ramp | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 1- 15, then subject to change |
| Inlet Bay ramp | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting April 15 |
| Satanka ramp | Closed for the season |
Carter Lake Boat Ramp Hours
View Carter Lake Marina Webcam
| HOURS (updated 11/1/24) - Ramps begin to open April 1 | |
|---|---|
| North Pines ramp - map | 7am-7pm April 1-15, then subject to chage |
| North ramp (Marina) | 9am-5pm starting April 15 |
| South Shore ramp | Closed for season |
Required Inspections
- Please put the vehicle in park, put the parking break on, and step out of your vehicle.
- Have your receipt from your last inspection ready to hand t.
- If you do not have a receipt or a seal from a previous inspection, if you have a blue receipt, or if you are coming from out of state, be prepared for a Clean Drain Dry inspection and possible decontamination.
- If you have any live aquatic bait, make sure you have a receipt from a verified Colorado Bait dealer from within seven days. Otherwise you may not be allowed to use that live aquatic bait.
- Once the inspector is clear of your watercraft and done with their inspection, they will thank you and you are free to go. Don't forget to stop for an exit inspection on your way out!
To comply with regulations, Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake require mandatory vessel inspections. Inspectors are on-site at Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake to check boats for exotic invasive species. With no inspectors on-site at Pinewood Reservoir, the boat ramp for Pinewood Reservoir is closed and no trailered or motorized watercraft may be launched at Pinewood.
All watercraft including their motors, trailers, compartments and any other associated equipment or containers may be inspected for exotic invasive species (Aquatic Nuisance Species or ANS) before launch or departure from high risk waters. Exclusions include hand-launched and human-powered watercraft such as canoes, stand-up paddle boards, etc. Anything with a motor or a trailer that goes into the water loses its exemption and must be inspected.
Recognizing the serious impact possible from ANS, and to prevent its spread by recreational boating or any other human means, Larimer County joins Colorado Parks and Wildlife and other waterway managers in a robust strategy designed to ensure sustainable recreational boating and other uses. The risk and cost are too high once ANS infestation has reached a critical level.
A boater may be denied access if not cooperating at an inspection point, or the boat may be placed under quarantine if inspectors think there is a serious risk of spreading ANS. Boaters circumventing the described procedures will be subject to fine.
Larimer County Department of Natural Resources' program complies with the Aquatic Nuisance Species Watercraft Inspection Handbook.
Colorado Boat Registration Information
