If you’re looking for a unique and exciting experience in Western Colorado, then look no further than Jet Boat Colorado. Take a jet boat tour on the Colorado River, and you’re guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face. Their custom New Zealand-style jet boat will take you past breathtaking scenery from the mountains to the canyon country, and the expert pilots at Jet Boat Colorado will show you the best time you have ever had on the river.
Owner Joe Keys has been a river guide and outfitter since 1992 and, while in New Zealand, got the idea to bring jet boats to the Colorado River. He knew they would work well on the river and was surprised that no one was running tours – so he decided to make it happen. In 2016, the boats became available in the United States, and Joe purchased his first boat and set up Jet Boat Colorado tours with a great deal of support from his wife and family.
These days, Jet Boat Colorado has two boats operating on the river and four boat operators to guide tours that range from mild to wild. Joe has taken passengers from four years old to 102 and assures his passengers that they offer something for everyone, from mellow scenic tours to a ride that caters to those with the need for speed.
Jet Boat Colorado offers private and mixed-group river tours for groups of all sizes. Jet Boat Colorado is easy to find as it is based on the banks of the Colorado River near De Beque, just 1/2 mile off Interstate 70. Drivers will tailor-make your experience from mild to wild. Cowboy spins, fishtails, power slides, and speed runs are all on the menu. Feel the power and performance of their custom tour boat and plan on getting wet, getting a good dose of adrenaline, and leaving the experience with a smile a mile wide. While the throttle will be let off just long enough to enjoy scenic points of interest and to share a few stories, the adventure tour is part rafting, part rodeo, and part race car.
For those groups that prefer a more tame tour, the experienced guides at Jet Boat will take guests on a scenic river tour like no other, as the drivers slow things down and share interesting facts about the history, geology, and lore of the Colorado River. Each of their tours is informative, exciting, and fun for the whole family. The tour will take you past stunning mountain views of the Book Cliffs, Battlement Mesa, Grand Mesa, and more, while sharing in the rich human and natural history of Western Colorado.
Built in North Carolina, the jet boats are US Coast Guard-approved craft based on New Zealand designs. Both jet boats are 20 feet long with theater-style seating for up to 10 passengers plus a driver. These boats are built for speed and maneuverability, and their 420-horsepower engines are sure to get your heart pounding. Propulsion is achieved by the use of a Hamilton 212 jet unit. Water is drawn into the jet, accelerated, and forced through a nozzle near the waterline at the stern. This technology allows the boat to run in water only four inches deep and travel to places that propeller-driven boats can’t go. The system is also safer and friendlier to fish, wildlife, and humans.
Jet Boat Colorado operates every day from mid-May through mid-September. Trips can be scheduled any time by appointment, but it is recommended to book your trip as soon as you know when you would like to go, because dates can fill up fast. While there are no age limitations, all participants must fit into a USCG approved lifejacket and children should be at least 40” tall and 50 lbs.
Both private charter scenic tours and thrilling adventure tours are booked by the hour. The guides will run back-to-back tours for groups of 12 passengers or more to make sure everyone in larger groups get on the river. Be sure to call or check out their website for complete pricing for adventure tours and charters.
Jet Boat Colorado is located on the south side of the Colorado River in De Beque, just 1/4 mile north of exit 62 on Interstate 70. They can be reached at (970) 644-1121.
