Operate a Seaplane on State-Controlled Waters
Colorado Seaplane Initiative Presents:
CSI Project 2026, Operate a Seaplane on State-Controlled Waters
CONTACT PERSON: Ray Hawkins, Director, Colorado Seaplane Initiative, (303) 710-2497
Educational Event – Seaplane invasive species detection and mitigation
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 9:00-14:00 MDT
On May 6, 2026, the Colorado Seaplane Community will bring an ICON A5 amphibious and trailerable seaplane to the Cherry Creek State Park. The aircraft will be used to train area seaplane pilots and, if they wish to participate, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) personnel in the process of invasive species detection and mitigation. This event is open to everyone without cost.
In a 6/11/2024 meeting facilitated by Rep Naquetta Ricks, then Acting Director of CPW, Heather Dugan, stated that current regulations do not prohibit seaplanes from operating on state park waters; only takeoffs and landings are prohibited. We shall see.
Vance Brand Airport in Longmont, Colorado, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Length: 23 ft (7.0 m)
- Wingspan: 34.8 ft (10.6 m)
- Height: 8.1 ft (2.5 m)
- Empty weight: 1,080 lb (490 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,510 lb (685 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 20 US gal (76 L)[66]
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 912 iS fuel-injected, air and liquid cooled four cylinder aircraft engine, 100 hp (75 kW)
- Propellers: 3-bladed composite
Performance
Maximum speed: 95 kn (109 mph, 176 km/h)
- Range: 427 nmi (491 mi, 791 km)
For more information, call Colorado Seaplane Initiative at (303) 710-2497, or e-mail Ray.
