Boulder’s open space boasts many amenities for residents and visitors alike. But even our furry, four-legged friends can enjoy the region’s natural surroundings.
General regulations & what’s open to dogs
However before owners and their dogs hit the trail, be aware of the regulations set by the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks department (OSMP).
In Boulder, not all trails are open to dogs. The OSMP official site states that it has “144 miles of trails, 90 percent of which are open to dogs.”
It is best to also visit the official OSMP site for the latest information, as restrictions are subject to change. For example, there are seasonal leash restrictions from Aug. 15 to Nov. 1 on selected trails.
A number of dog parks throughout the city also provide places for canines to unwind (East Boulder, Foothills, Valmont and Howard Heuston). For pet-iquette in the dog parks, visit the OSMP page on this topic here.
Proposed measures to restrict dogs from certain areas
While canines have co-existed with Boulder’s natural surroundings for years, there is much debate about where dogs should be permitted.
The contentious debate has been going on for years now. Vice President of Friends Interested in Dogs and Open Space (FIDOS), Lori Fuller, says she’s all too familiar with the controversy surrounding the issue. While Fuller agrees that it makes sense to restrict some trails from dogs, the disagreement centers around the extent of the rules.
Fuller says dogs are like a part of the family.
“I don’t necessarily enjoy open space without my dog, just because they’ve grown to be my companion on the trails,” she explained. “...We enjoy each others’ companionship on the trails and it’s a very healthy thing for both of us to be doing,” she said.
Steve Mertz is with OSMP and says the department hears people out on these issues and likes to know what they are thinking. But he does admit that whatever rules are implemented, the issue will likely remain controversial.
“We know that if we were to say, ‘Fine, dogs can go wherever they want,’ a bunch of people would be upset. If we said, ‘No dogs at all,’ people are upset,” Mertz said.
Despite all the contention and debate, pets and humans in designated areas can still enjoy the numerous amenities that the Boulder region’s natural beauty and unofficial 300 days of sunshine offers.
Green tag program
If you want to enjoy selected trails with your dog off-leash, it is important to note that your dog must have a “green tag.” It’s all part of the City of Boulder’s “Voice and Sight Dog Tag Program.”
For a dog-owner and dog to get ‘certified,’ it is actually as simple as watching a video online and registering. There is a fee associated with the process. (The program is outlined on the OSMP’s site here.) A dog empowered with a green tag on a collar can then walk through selected trails off-leash. Leashed dogs don’t need tags.
Fuller suggests awareness is better than simply imposing restrictions. She feels educational efforts like this have worked, with 15,000 green tags issued.
“...That’s 15,000 dog owners that took the program seriously, that want to be compliant with the program, and have watched this video and, you know, hopefully are willing to comply with it,” she said.
Pet-iquette: Scooping up poop
Leaving “evidence” that your pooch was on the trail is not recommended, nor courteous to fellow residents. Additionally, some have also voiced concerns about the environmental impact of excessive dog feces on the native landscape.
To properly dispose of dog waste, use the bag tubes found throughout open space and parks.
Mertz said that in the past, many tons of dog feces were being left behind on the trails annually. Attempting to enforce this rule with ticketing wasn’t too effective. So instead, OSMP decided to educate dog owners.
“...Actually we’ve had three different educational campaigns just around having people pick up poop,” he said.
Among one of those campaigns, was an educational music video, featuring children’s musician Jeff Kagan. (See: “OSMP Scoop a Doop Poop Video”).
Kagan, himself, is not a dog owner but says he loves dogs.
“I love it’s [Boulder] a place where people and their pets can enjoy it...,” he said.
But Kagan also said there is a responsibility that comes with that.
"They have to make sure pets aren’t chasing wildlife, and make sure pet owners are picking up after their dogs,” Kagan said.
“Mostly I just think it’s a joy that we have all this landscape in Boulder for everybody--whatever your pleasure,” he explained.
General Safety
Like with any other activity, safety is certainly the first priority for pets and their owners in the open space areas. Different seasons also pose different challenges.
In the summer, Colorado’s hot temperatures could result in heat exhaustion. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends taking walks “when the sun’s heat is less intense,” in the evenings or early mornings. Keep your pet hydrated with cool, fresh water also, according to the AKC.
It is also important for owners to get familiar with the signs of an animal heatstroke. (To see the AKC’s advice, visit here.)
Dogs, themselves, can be victims to wild animals on the trails. The OSMP site says that when dogs chase other animals, the animals “are more likely to attack.”
For more safety advice and other information pertaining to dogs on Boulder’s open space, visit the official OSMP site.
General regulations & what’s open to dogs
However before owners and their dogs hit the trail, be aware of the regulations set by the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks department (OSMP).
In Boulder, not all trails are open to dogs. The OSMP official site states that it has “144 miles of trails, 90 percent of which are open to dogs.”
It is best to also visit the official OSMP site for the latest information, as restrictions are subject to change. For example, there are seasonal leash restrictions from Aug. 15 to Nov. 1 on selected trails.
A number of dog parks throughout the city also provide places for canines to unwind (East Boulder, Foothills, Valmont and Howard Heuston). For pet-iquette in the dog parks, visit the OSMP page on this topic here.
Proposed measures to restrict dogs from certain areas
While canines have co-existed with Boulder’s natural surroundings for years, there is much debate about where dogs should be permitted.
The contentious debate has been going on for years now. Vice President of Friends Interested in Dogs and Open Space (FIDOS), Lori Fuller, says she’s all too familiar with the controversy surrounding the issue. While Fuller agrees that it makes sense to restrict some trails from dogs, the disagreement centers around the extent of the rules.
Fuller says dogs are like a part of the family.
“I don’t necessarily enjoy open space without my dog, just because they’ve grown to be my companion on the trails,” she explained. “...We enjoy each others’ companionship on the trails and it’s a very healthy thing for both of us to be doing,” she said.
Steve Mertz is with OSMP and says the department hears people out on these issues and likes to know what they are thinking. But he does admit that whatever rules are implemented, the issue will likely remain controversial.
“We know that if we were to say, ‘Fine, dogs can go wherever they want,’ a bunch of people would be upset. If we said, ‘No dogs at all,’ people are upset,” Mertz said.
Despite all the contention and debate, pets and humans in designated areas can still enjoy the numerous amenities that the Boulder region’s natural beauty and unofficial 300 days of sunshine offers.
Green tag program
If you want to enjoy selected trails with your dog off-leash, it is important to note that your dog must have a “green tag.” It’s all part of the City of Boulder’s “Voice and Sight Dog Tag Program.”
For a dog-owner and dog to get ‘certified,’ it is actually as simple as watching a video online and registering. There is a fee associated with the process. (The program is outlined on the OSMP’s site here.) A dog empowered with a green tag on a collar can then walk through selected trails off-leash. Leashed dogs don’t need tags.
Fuller suggests awareness is better than simply imposing restrictions. She feels educational efforts like this have worked, with 15,000 green tags issued.
“...That’s 15,000 dog owners that took the program seriously, that want to be compliant with the program, and have watched this video and, you know, hopefully are willing to comply with it,” she said.
Pet-iquette: Scooping up poop
Leaving “evidence” that your pooch was on the trail is not recommended, nor courteous to fellow residents. Additionally, some have also voiced concerns about the environmental impact of excessive dog feces on the native landscape.
To properly dispose of dog waste, use the bag tubes found throughout open space and parks.
Mertz said that in the past, many tons of dog feces were being left behind on the trails annually. Attempting to enforce this rule with ticketing wasn’t too effective. So instead, OSMP decided to educate dog owners.
“...Actually we’ve had three different educational campaigns just around having people pick up poop,” he said.
Among one of those campaigns, was an educational music video, featuring children’s musician Jeff Kagan. (See: “OSMP Scoop a Doop Poop Video”).
Kagan, himself, is not a dog owner but says he loves dogs.
“I love it’s [Boulder] a place where people and their pets can enjoy it...,” he said.
But Kagan also said there is a responsibility that comes with that.
"They have to make sure pets aren’t chasing wildlife, and make sure pet owners are picking up after their dogs,” Kagan said.
“Mostly I just think it’s a joy that we have all this landscape in Boulder for everybody--whatever your pleasure,” he explained.
General Safety
Like with any other activity, safety is certainly the first priority for pets and their owners in the open space areas. Different seasons also pose different challenges.
In the summer, Colorado’s hot temperatures could result in heat exhaustion. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends taking walks “when the sun’s heat is less intense,” in the evenings or early mornings. Keep your pet hydrated with cool, fresh water also, according to the AKC.
It is also important for owners to get familiar with the signs of an animal heatstroke. (To see the AKC’s advice, visit here.)
Dogs, themselves, can be victims to wild animals on the trails. The OSMP site says that when dogs chase other animals, the animals “are more likely to attack.”
For more safety advice and other information pertaining to dogs on Boulder’s open space, visit the official OSMP site.
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