Share Our Trails
We all enjoy Open Space and Mountain Parks in different ways. Pay attention, expect to encounter others and be courteous. Yield to all.
We all know how great our outdoor experiences can be. One discourteous person can ruin an outing. Be courteous—we’ll all have a better time. Expect and respect others. Make room for others. Control your speed. Pass with care and let others know you are passing.
Manage Your Dog
Keeping your dog in control keeps people, dogs, livestock and wildlife safe. Others may not appreciate your dog’s company; if not sure, ask before allowing your dog to approach them. Keep your dog nearby, always in sight and under control. Carry and use a leash as required.
A pet under control lessens the chance for harm to your dog from other dogs or wildlife, such as porcupines or coyotes. Dogs can carry plague-infected fleas from prairie dogs into your home. Please do not let your dog approach or chase wildlife. When wildlife are chased or harassed, they change eating patterns and exert more energy that can result in poor health or death. Check signs and follow area dog regulations. Voice and sight control includes coming immediately on first command in every situation. Please do not let your dog approach others unless invited. If you are not sure your dog can comply with voice and sight control, please leash it, for their and others’ sake.
Pick up Poop
Phew! Dog poop stinks, is not natural to Open Space and Mountain Parks and others can step in it. Always pack several pickup bags and always pick up your dog’s poop - wherever it’s left. If you can not find your dog’s poop, please pick up someone else’s.
Dog poop is a health hazard. It also increases the nitrogen in the soil around the trail, giving the advantage to weeds over the native plants that evolved in nitrogen-poor soils. Thanks for bagging your dog’s poop, but the job’s not done until you drop it in the trash can.
Trash Your Trash
Please take out all trash - yours and others. Even biodegradable materials, such as orange peels, apple cores and food scraps take years to break down, and attract scavengers that harm other wildlife. Cigarette butts are trash! Pack it out.
Trash is unsightly and ruins everyone’s outdoor experience. Studies have shown that we attract scavenging birds and mammals that drive away or kill native birds. Let’s all enrich everyone’s outdoor experience and take out trash.
Stick to Trail
Traveling on trail leaves room for wildlife and their homes. Shortcutting trails causes erosion. Be ready to get muddy and step right through puddles. Boots dry overnight; plants take years to recover.
Studies show several advantages to staying on trail. Colorado State University researchers found in Open Space and Mountain Parks that fewer birds nest near trails and survival of young birds is less near a trail. Some birds cannot be found until several hundred yards from the trail. Many wild animals get used to trail activity, but when we go off trail we present a greater threat to them. Rare species we may affect include the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (one initial estimate has about 1,000 to 2,000 existing in the world), peregrine falcon and the Ute ladies’ tresses orchid.
Studies also show that when we trample vegetation on the side of the trail, there is a greater chance weeds will replace the native plants. While stepping through mud is a good option, if you don’t want to be concerned about slipping, trampling vegetation or getting muddy, choose a different dry trail or hard surface - just until the trail dries!
Please hike and ride only on designated trails. Avoid areas that are unmarked, closed for revegetation or signed as sensitive. We can all have fun in our Open Space and Mountain Parks and share the area with wildlife if we just stick to the trail.