Highline Lake State Park will host several boating safely review sessions and exams for teenagers and interested adults who want to safely operate motorboats or personal watercraft this 2012 boating season. The boating safely courses will be held April 28, May 20, June 16, July 14, August 11 and Sept. 9.  All classes will be held between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Highline Lake State Park Visitor Center.

Highline Lake State Park is located at 1800 11.8 Road, Loma, approximately 10 miles northwest of Fruita. Drive west on I-70 to the Loma exit, turn right onto Highway 139 to Q Road, turn left onto Q Road and follow the signs to the park.

Anyone operating a motorboat or personal watercraft in Colorado must be at least 16 years old. However, 14 to 15 year olds who successfully complete this state-approved boating safely course may operate a motorboat in Colorado. The courses all include a home study manual, a two-hour classroom review and a written exam. Adults are welcome and encouraged to attend the classes as well.

Pre-registration for the course is required. To register for a class, call (303) 791-1954 or send an email to boating.safety@state.co.us, and request The Boating Safely in Colorado home study manual. Please include your name, address, date of birth, phone number and the number of manuals you need. Each individual will need their own manual. A parent or guardian must accompany 14- or 15-year old teens to the class.

Students must first review The Boating Safely in Colorado home study manual, then participate in the two-hour classroom review with their parent or guardian. Boat operator cards will be issued to students who attend the review session and pass the final exam with a score of at least 70 percent. A certification fee of $15 per student will be required at the time of testing. Students must also bring a 1” x 1” photo of themselves that will be laminated to their operator card. Please contact Highline Lake State Park at (970) 858-7208 for more information.

Highline Lake State Park includes the only reservoir in the Grand Valley that offers power boating, water-skiing and jet-skiing opportunities. Located just west of Grand Junction, the park is popular for fishing and swimming as well. Many visitors also use Highline State Park as a camping base for mountain biking or river rafting. Large shade trees and grassy areas offer a pleasant place to rest after a hard day of playing or to cool off from summer heat. Additional information on Highline Lake State Park is available at: www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/HighlineLake.