WHY A DOG GUIDE?
We love our furry friends, which is why it is so important to keep our dogs healthy, happy and active. Dog parks are a great place to bring your pup to exercise, engage and socialize with other dogs, as well as provide a healthy and safe place for learning and training.
Trails allow dogs a little more open space and freedom, but some trails are more pupfriendly than others Included in this guide is a list of great locations to bring your dog for a workout, afternoon stroll or simply for a little playtime!
City of Boulder Voice & Sight Control Program
The City of Boulder Voice and Sight Tag Program allows dogs to access designated trails off leash if they display special participation tags and they are always under “voice and sight control” of their guardians.
In 2015, the new program changes went into effect requiring all program participants to complete an education class, verify a City of Boulder dog license or rabies vaccination for all dogs participating in the program and pay revised program fees
This applies only to certain City of Boulder lands where having a dog on a leash is not required.
On-leash control is always required within the city limits of Boulder except in specially designated dog parks or other areas specifically exempted from this requirement.
All trails posted as requiring a leash prohibit the use of voice and sight control.
For additional information: 720-564-2006
bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/voice-and-sight
Benefits of Voice & Sight Control
Enhanced Safety for Your Dog: This helps protect them from potential hazards like traffic, wildlife, or harmful objects They are less likely to wander into dangerous situations
Improved Social Interactions: A well-controlled dog is less likely to cause stress or fear to other people or animals
Stronger Bond with Your Dog: Practicing voice and sight control strengthens the connection between you and your dog, as it fosters trust, effective communication, and mutual respect.
LOCAL DOG PARKS
Arvada
West Arvada Dog Park
17975 W 64th Pkwy, Arvada
Off-leash Park Please see park rules posted online prior to your visit.
Boulder Parks & Rec Department
bouldercolorado.gov/dog-parks
Multiple parks listed with hours and rules posted on their websites
Coot Lake
6247 63rd Street
Dogs are allowed to swim on the east and south shores only Dogs are not allowed on the west side or in any of the wetland areas Dogs are only permitted off-leash if they are registered as participants in the Voice and Sight Tag Program
Valmont Dog Park
5275 Valmont Rd
Fenced area for both large and small dogs.
East Boulder Dog Park
5660 Sioux Dr.
Fenced area for both large and small dogs
Seasonal water access There is a concrete barrier in the lake that some dogs are able to climb
Foothills Community Dog Park
800 Cherry Avenue
Two acre fenced park with separate areas for both small and large dogs.
Howard Houston Park
3200 34th St (at O’Neal Parkway)
Dogs must be on-leash in the park outside of the designated off-leash dog area. Only people who have registered with the city’s Voice and Sight Tag Program may have a dog off-leash in the off-leash dog area.
Boulder County Open Space
Twin Lakes – West Twin Lakes Trail
Nautilus Dr., Boulder (Gunbarrel)
Off-leash recreation areas including the lake
Brighton
Happy Trails Dog Park
111 Judicial Center Dr
Fenced-in, off-leash Park Pond, benches, and drinking water
Broomfield
Broomfield County Commons Dog Park
North Parking Lot at 13 and Sheridan Blvd
Off-leash Park Two separate areas to house both large dogs and small dogs
Erie
The Boneyard at Reliance Park
900 Weld County Rd 1 5
Off-leash Park with a small dog enclosure for dogs under 30 lbs
Frederick / Firestone
Aisik’s Meadow Dog Park
10284 Foxfire St On-Leash Park
Settler’s Park
11447 Deerfield Dr., Firestone On-Leash Park
Frederick Recreation Area
8201 Colorado Blvd. Off-Leash Park.
LOCAL DOG PARKS
Golden
TonyGrampsasDogPark
4471Salvia
Off-leash,wooded25-acrearealocatedatthe northendoftheballfields.
Homer’sRunDogPark
1205UlyssesSt.
Off-leashparklocatedinUlyssesSports Complexwestoffield#1,offthe10thAve (upper)parkinglot;perfectforthesmallerdog with3-footfences
Lafayette
GreatBarkDogPark 597N.119thSt.
Off-leashpark 61acreswith1/3-miletrailloop, andasmall/timiddogarea
Longmont
BlueSkiesPark 1520MountainDr
On-leashparkunlessotherwiseposted
FrancisDogPark(DogPark#1) SE cornerofFrancisSt &21stAve
AirportRoadDogPark(DogPark#2) 375AirportRoad.
02mileswestofAirportRoadandSt Vrain Road
RoughandReady 301E 21stAve
Off-leashexercisearea.
StephenDayPark
1340DeerwoodDrive
CornerofEastMountainViewAvenueand DeerwoodDrive Off-leashexercisearea
UnionReservoir 461CountyRoad26
TheOff-leashareaislocatedonthesouthside ofthereservoir.Dogsmayswiminthis designatedarea Dogsmustbeleashedinall otherareasofthepark.
Louisville CommunityParkDogPark 955BellaVistaDr Fencedareafordogswithapond
DavidsonMesaOpenSpaceDogPark McCaslinBlvd&WashingtonAve. Off-leasharea
Loveland
DogParkatFairgroundPark 700S RailroadAve
LocatedatthesouthendofFairgroundsPark,with parkingavailableinthesmalllotoffofRailroad AvenueatFireEngineRedRoad Off-leashfenced areas.Allotherareasleashesaremandatory.
Lyons
BohnBarkOffLeashDogPark 1992ndAve
Off-leashareas.Allotherareasleashesare mandatory
Northglenn
BillGoodspeedHappyTrailsDogPark 1620IrmaDr
Off-leashfencedareawithshadestructures.
Superior
AutreyParkDogPark 1830HoneyCreekDr Off-leashfencedpark.
Thornton
ThorntonTrailWindsPark 13405HollySt
JustpasttheSkateParkatE 134thandHolly Offleash,areaforsmallerdogs.
Westminster
BigDryCreekDogPark 1700West128thAve,betweenFederal&Huron
LittleDryCreekDogPark 69thAveandLowellBlvd. Off-leashindesignatedareas Areaforsmaller dogs
STATE PARKS
Chatfield State Park
9700 S. Wadsworth Blvd. (near C-470)
Off-leash park which provides 69 acres of open, running space! The Park is equipped with two ponds and miles of unpaved and paved trails for walking.
In addition to a valid Park Pass required for every vehicle entering the park:
A valid Dog Off-Leash Area (DOLA) Daily OR Annual pass is required for the use of the area. Both the $2 Daily DOLA Pass and the $20 Annual DOLA Pass are available at the Entrance Stations and the Park Office when staffed.
$2 Daily Self-Service DOLA Passes are also available at the Owl Glenn and Steven’s Grove Parking Areas. Please bring exact change or check.
Cherry Creek State Park
4201 S. Parker Road, Aurora
Off-leash park is located one mile south of I-225. Over one hundred acres of land for your dog to run wild!
Use of the Dog Off-Leash Area (DOLA) requires a valid DOLA pass as well as a valid park pass for all vehicles entering the park. DOLA passes are available for purchase ($2/daily or $20/annual) at the entrance stations and the park office. When staff are unavailable to assist, daily passes can be purchased at the self-serve stations. OODS
Golden Gate Canton State Park
92 Crawford Gulch Road, Golden
Dogs are permitted in the campgrounds and on all the trails at Golden Gate. They must always be on a 6-foot leash. Over 35 miles of hiking trails in the park offer pleasures and challenges for everyone. The twelve trails at Golden Gate Canyon are each named after an animal and marked with the animal's footprint.
Pet rules at Colorado State Parks vary by park. Some parks that have restrictions on pets include: Roxborough State Park, Harvey Gap State Park, Mueller State Park, and Cheyenne Mountain State Park.
Pets must be on a leash that is no longer than six feet
Most campgrounds allow dogs, but they can't be left alone
Some hiking trails allow dogs
Some parks have designated dog off-leash areas
Some cabins allow pets for a fee
Pets are not allowed on swimming beaches or water-ski beaches
RECOMMENDED DOG-FRIENDLY HIKES
Compliments of 5280 Magazine, here is a list of their favorite dog-friendly Front Range trails.
Yearning for wide-open spaces and fresh mountain air?
Discover eleven stunning hikes in the Front Range, each less than an hour away. From rolling hills to rugged peaks, there is something for every dog, and hiker!
First Creek Trail Near DIA – Aurora 5280.com/hike-we-like-first-creek-trailnear-dia/
Difficulty: Easy
Length of trail: 1.4 miles one-way
Royal Arch Trail – Boulder
5280.com/hike-we-like-royal-arch-trail/
Difficulty: Moderate
Length of trail: 3.2 miles roundtrip
Shadow Canyon Trail – Boulder 5280.com/hike-like-boulders-shadowcanyon-trail/
Difficulty: Intense
Length of trail: 7.5 miles roundtrip
Elk Falls at Staunton State Park – Conifer .5280.com/hike-we-like-elk-falls-atstaunton-state-park/
Difficulty: Easy to moderate Length of trail: 12 miles roundtrip
Matthews-Winter Park in Jefferson County – Golden 5280.com/hike-matthewswinters-park/
Difficulty: Easy to moderate Length of trail: distances vary
North Table Mountain – Golden 5280.com/hike-we-like-north-tablemountain/
Difficulty: Easy
Length of trail: Varies
Chief Mountain – Idaho Springs 5280 com/hike-like-chief-mountain/
Difficulty: Moderate
Length of trail: 4 miles roundtrip
Herman Gulch Trail – Idaho Springs 5280.com/hike-we-like-herman-gulch-trail/
Difficulty: Moderate
Length of trail: 6.3 miles roundtrip
South Valley Park’s Grazing Elk Trail –Littleton
5280.com/hike-like-south-valley-parksgrazing-elk-trail/
Difficulty: Easy
Length of trail: 4.6 miles roundtrip
O’Fallon Park’s West Ridge Loop –Morrison 5280.com/hike-we-like-ofallon-parks-westridge-loop/
Difficulty: Easy
Length of trail: 3.1 miles roundtrip
Plymouth Creek-Plymouth Mountain Loop – Littleton/Sedalia 5280.com/hike-we-like-plymouth-creekplymouth-mountain-loop/
Difficulty: Moderate
Length of trail: 5.6 miles roundtrip
VETERINARY & LOCAL ANIMAL HOSPITALS
Boulder
Arapahoe Animal Hospital
5585 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder
303.442.7033
arapahoeanimalhospital.com
Banfield
402 Center Drive, Superior 303 543 3907
banfield com/locations
Boulder Veterinary Hospital 3630 Broadway, Boulder 303 442 6262 bouldervet com
Broadway Animal Hospital and Pet Center
1405 S. Broadway Street
303.499.5505 vcahospitals.com/broadway
Humane Society of Boulder Valley 2323 55th Street, Boulder
303.442.4030
boulderhumane org
Pet Menders Animal Hospital 2790 Moorhead Avenue, Boulder 303 494 0840 petmenders com
South Boulder Animal Hospital 4660 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder
303.499.1800 soboanimalhospital.com
VCA All Pets
5290 Manhattan Circle, Boulder
303.499.5335 vcahospitals.com/find-a-hospital
Surrounding Areas
Aspen Arbor Animal Hospital 8865 W. 116th Circle, Broomfield 720-905-4586 aspenarboranimalhospital.com
Louisville Vet Clinic
2000 Centennial Drive, Louisville 303 666 6829 louisvillevetclinic com
Louisville Family Animal Hospital 332 S McCaslin Blvd, Louisville 303 661 0702 caringforyourpets com
Animalhouse Veterinary Clinic 889 E. South Boulder Road, Louisville 303.666.4888 animalhouseclinic.com
Cambridge Animal Hospital 14986 E. County Line Rd, Longmont 303.651.7297 cambridgeanimalhospital.com
Mountain Ridge Animal Hospital 287 N US HWY 287, Lafayette 303 665 4852 mountainridgevet com
Jasper Animal Hospital 1369 Forest Park Circle, Lafayette 720.739.2037 jaspervet.com
Rock Creek Veterinary Hospital 605 Flatiron Marketplace, Broomfield 720.669.4200 rockcreekvet.com/
FEEDING YOUR FURRY FRIENDS
Pet Nutrition Alliance petnutritionalliance.org
“To promote the importance of nutrition as an integral and essential component of providing optimal health care for healthy, sick, and injured pets ” - PNA
Check out PNA’s wonderful and educational website that addresses pet nutrition, while also providing plenty of invaluable resources for pet owners
Colorado Veterinary Medical Association colovma.org/
“We exist to: Enhance animal health and welfare, Promote the human/animal bond, Protect public health, Advance the wellbeing of veterinarians, Foster excellence in veterinary medicine through education, advocacy, and outreach.” –CVMA
CVMA is a proactive group of professionals inviting you to learn about veterinary medicine from every angle.
Local Merchants & Supply Shops
Whole Pets - Boulder wholepetsholistic.com/ 303.444.4733
2835 Pearl Street Ste B, Boulder
In Clover inclover.com/ 877.987.7387
3133 Indian Road, Boulder
Only Natural Pet Store onlynaturalpet com/ 303 449 5069
2100 28th Street #1C, Boulder
Black Paw blackpaw com/ 303.554.9343
459 S McCaslin Blvd, Louisville
Four Paws and Company fourpawsandco.com/ 303.485.1565
1225 Ken Pratt Blvd Unit 108, Longmont
Struttin Pup struttinpup com/ 303 665 3038
2850 Arapahoe Rd Unit 110, Lafayette
The Happy Beast thehappybeast com
303 604 1300
545 W South Boulder Rd Ste 170, Lafayette
Gone Wilde Pet Supply gonewildpetsupply.com
303.604.6764
1365 Forest Park Circle Ste 103, Lafayette
LINKS TO ANIMAL REGULATIONS
City or Town Animal Rules and Regulations Website
Arvada arvadaco.gov/199/Animal-Management-Unit
Berthoud library.municode.com/co/berthoud/codes/code of ordinances?nodeId=CH18ANFO
Boulder library.municode.com/co/boulder/codes/municipal code?nodeId=TIT6HESASA CH1AN
Boulder County bouldercounty.org/safety/animals/animal-control/ https://assets bouldercounty org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ordinance-animal-control pdf
Broomfield (Wolf Dog hybrid breed ban) broomfield org/1921/Ordinances-Animal
Dacono library municode com/co/dacono/codes/municipal code?nodeId=CH7HESAAN ART4AN
Erie library.municode.com/co/erie/codes/code of ordinances? nodeId=TIT6POTRRE CH7OFREAN 6-7-7CRAN
Firestone library.municode.com/co/firestone/codes/municipal code?nodeId=TIT6AN
Frederick frederick.municipal.codes/MC/7 ArtV
Lafayette library.municode.com/co/lafayette/codes/code of ordinances?nodeId=COOR CH25ANFO
Longmont library.municode.com/co/longmont/codes/code of ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR TIT7AN
Louisville (Pit Bull ban) library.municode.com/co/louisville/codes/code of ordinances?nodeId=TIT6AN CH6.12DO
Superior library.municode.com/co/superior/codes/municipal code?nodeId=CH7HESAAN ARTIIAN
Thornton library municode com/co/thornton/codes/code of ordinances?nodeId=CO CH6AN
Westminster stevenlouth.com/westminster-municipal-code-title-vi-chapter-7/