Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) offers dog guardians and their dogs many opportunities to enjoy nature together.
OSMP lands have approximately 155 miles of trails and 89 percent of them are open to dogs on leash.
Dog regulations vary on OSMP lands sometimes by season to protect foraging bear habitat or grassland nesting birds, sometimes by geographical area and sometimes dogs are prohibited. Please be mindful of changing regulations and read posted signs as you go through different areas of the OSMP system. It is your responsibility as a dog guardian to read and understand the regulations so that everyone can enjoy their visit to OSMP.
Did you know that an estimated 80,000 pounds of pet waste are left behind on OSMP property every year? Help keep OSMP a safe and clean place to recreate and scoop that poop! Thinking “I’ll pick it up on my way back?” It is required by law that you immediately dispose of pet waste by either putting it in the nearest dog waste bin or taking it with you. A little can go a long way to keep OSMP land smelling and looking great! Remember, there is no "poop fairy."
Most trails on OSMP are multi-use, meaning that they are open to bikes, horses, dogs, hikers and runners. This provides the opportunity for you and your pup to encounter a variety of different situations and interactions. Remember that to avoid a sticky situation, you and your dog must not be aggressive toward other people or dogs, and it is illegal for you and your dog to chase or disturb wildlife or livestock. Thank you for being respectful and considerate to all visitors!
Trailheads are busy places with cars and people coming and going. The Trailhead Leash Program requires dog guardians to leash their dogs upon exiting their vehicle at all OSMP trailheads, and in the area of the trailheads. This program was designed to keep you, your dog and other visitors to our trails safe and to help make everyone’s outdoor experience as enjoyable as possible.
Seasonal Leash restrictions are in place May 1 - July 31 & Aug. 15 - Dec. 1 on some trails to protect ground-nesting birds and bears.
Please check the Dog Regulations Map to view which trails are open to dogs.
Open Space and Mountain Parks is one of few systems on the Colorado Front Range which allow dog guardians to walk dogs off-leash. This opportunity is possible only if dogs are responsibly controlled under voice and sight control and display a voice and sight dog tag. It is a tough standard for both dogs and guardians. Learn about the Voice and Sight Dog Tag Program.
City of Boulder Ordinance requires all Boulder residents to license dogs that are four months or older.
We are so lucky that OSMP lands are home to a variety of wildlife that include mountain lions, coyotes, black bears, deer, foxes and prairie dogs! Part of keeping control of your dog is keeping it away from wildlife for the benefit of wildlife and your pup. Not sure what your dog will do when encountering wildlife on Open Space? Play it on the safe side and leash your pup until you or the wildlife has passed.
You can help to keep you and your pets safe by keeping them off OSMP's icy lakes. Many times, pets that fall into icy waters will be able to get out or self-rescue without assistance.
If it happens to you while visiting OSMP and your pet is unable to get out of the water, stay off the ice! Call 911 and Boulder Fire-Rescue will respond and rescue your pet!
Heat can kill dogs: Walk your dog in the early morning or evening when it is cooler. If you choose to walk your dog in the mid-day heat, find a shady trail, stop often, and bring plenty of extra water for your dog.
Look at the OSMP Dog Regulations Map or the Trails Regulations page.
OSMP is participating in a dog waste composting program at several trailheads and access points. Compostable bags and waste receptacles are located at several popular trailheads and access points:
Composting reduces the amount of dog waste going to landfills and helps transform that waste into a beneficial compost mixture. A local business is doing the composting for OSMP!
Besides its bad smell, dog waste can pollute water sources and encourage noxious weeds to grow.
Waste left on the ground runs off untreated into storm drains and waterways. Bacteria in waterways increase the potential for serious disease. This is bad for fish too – bacteria that feed on dog waste deplete oxygen, and encourage algal blooms. This can limit sunlight and suffocate aquatic life.
Dog feces contain nitrogen which can cause significant chemical changes in soil composition. When left on the ground, nitrogen leaches into the soil. This can kill native plants and encourage noxious weed infestation.
Dogs also have a wide diversity of intestinal bacteria. These often times carry nasty parasites like heartworms, whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, parvovirus, giardia, salmonella and E. coli. Roundworm is one of the most common parasites found in dog waste. It can remain infectious in contaminated soil and water for years.
Be Doggone Good About Dog Poop
