The city allows for guardians to hike with their dogs off leash on certain designated trails under the Voice and Sight Control Tag program.

Voice & Sight Tag Program

Thinking you and your dog would be eligible to participate? Consider these requirements and expectations of having your pup off leash and keep in mind that it may take up to a month to complete all of the program requirements before you can take advantage of the off-leash trail system.

Eighty-nine percent of Boulder's trails are open to dogs on leash and 56% (90 miles) are open to dogs under voice and sight control. Visit the OSMP Dog Regulations Map for more information about where you can take your dog once registered for the program.

What is Voice & Sight Control?

Voice and Sight control means the ability of a dog guardian to adequately control a dog by using voice commands and sight commands (such as hand gestures). In order for a guardian or keeper to have voice and sight control over a dog, the guardian must:

  • be able to see the dog's actions at all times; and
  • be able to prevent the dog from engaging in the following behaviors, using voice and sight commands, without regard to circumstances or distractions:
    • Charging, chasing or otherwise displaying aggression toward any person or behaving toward any person in a manner that a reasonable person would find harassing or disturbing;
    • Charging, chasing or otherwise displaying aggression toward any dog;
    • Chasing, harassing or disturbing wildlife or livestock; or
    • Failing to come to and stay with the guardian or keeper immediately upon command.

Please call the city's non-emergency dispatch number at 303-441-3333 if you are involved with, or witness to, an active incident that requires response of rangers or animal protection while visiting Open Space and Mountain Parks.

New to the Program? Before You Register

Complete the Voice & Sight Education Course

Dog guardians must complete a free online course every 5 years, mandated by law, in order to participate in the Voice & Sight Tag Program. The course covers the specific legal requirements of Voice & Sight control, goes over tips for successfully managing dogs off-leash, and discusses some common scenarios that could be encountered.

Note: a transcript and a screen reader-friendly version are both available through the course link.

If you have questions about the course please contact the Voice & Sight Education Team: voiceandsighteducationclass@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-3440.

Rabies Certificate

Provide a current and valid rabies certificate for your dog.

Dog License

City of Boulder residents are required to have a valid dog license. If you are required to have a city dog license, it must be purchased before the DocuPet system will give you the option to register for Voice and Sight.

Create a DocuPet Account

Almost there! How do we know you put in all the hard work and energy to join the Tag Program? Docupet, our tag administrator, will provide you a Voice and Sight Tag. Tags are required to be proudly displayed on your pup at all times so our Rangers know you completed and understand all of the program requirements.

Please wait one full business day between taking the class and registering for Voice and Sight Tags to allow class attendance to be processed for registration. DocuPet will email the education course code to you after processing your attendance which you may need to enter separately into to your DocuPet account.

Complete Registration & Pay

Complete registration in DocuPet and pay for the Voice & Sight Tags. Please allow up to seven business days for tags to be processed and delivered in the mail.

You can reach us by phone (303-441-3440), online through our Inquire Boulder site, or via email at OSMPFrontDesk@BoulderColorado.gov. We can accommodate in-person tag pick up on a limited basis – please use any of the above methods to reach us if you would like to schedule an appointment. All of our services also remain available online.

Renew Voice & Sight Tags

Complete Voice & Sight Education Course - if needed

Dog guardians must complete a free online education course every 5 years, mandated by law, in order to continue to participate in the Voice & Sight Tag Program. Attendance is automatically verified during the registration process. Please wait one full business day between taking the class and registering for Voice and Sight Tags to allow class attendance to be processed for registration.

Login to DocuPet

Login to your DocuPet account to renew Voice & Sight Tags for your dog.

Complete Renewal & Pay

Complete the renewal process in DocuPet and pay the renewal fee. Please allow up to seven business days for tags to be processed and delivered in the mail.

Lost Tags

You can replace a lost tag online through the renew/update link.

Fees

All Voice & Sight Tags expire on Dec. 31 of each year and must be renewed annually.

The registration fee includes 1 dog and 1 guardian. The fee for each additional guardian in a household is $5, and the fee for each additional dog is $10.

Renewal Fees

If you renew between Nov. 1 and Jan. 31, the following discounted renewal rate applies to all dogs and people currently registered to your household:

  • City of Boulder residents: $5.
  • Boulder County residents not in the City of Boulder: $20.
  • Non-Boulder County residents: $30.

Registration Fees

Initial Registration Fees/Renewal After Jan. 31:

  • City of Boulder residents: $13.
  • Boulder County residents not in the City of Boulder: $33.
  • Non-Boulder County residents: $75.

The additional guardian and dog registration fees will be waived for City of Boulder households who meet income criteria consistent with the City of Boulder Food Tax Rebate Program or the Parks and Recreation Reduced Rate Program.

Trails available to Voice and Sight Tag users

Helpful Links

Frequently Asked Questions

It is required by law for anyone wanting to walk their dog off leash on OSMP trails. Participation in the program and displaying a valid program tag on all dogs under voice and sight control is required by the Boulder Revised Code (BRC) 6-1-16 and 6-13-2 through 6-13-5.

Yes, the tag signifies that the dog guardian has registered in the program and that the specific dog meets vaccination requirements.

If you don't intend to register a dog and only walk other people's dogs under voice and sight control; the registration process is streamlined to not include dog information. No tags will be shipped.


Note: If you are a commercial dog-walker, you will also need a Commercial Use Permit to bring dogs to Open Space and Mountain Parks.


If you end up acquiring a dog after registering as a "Dog Walker Only" you can add dogs to your household account by calling 303-441-3440.

Yes, the OSMP Office is open to the public for limited office hours listed on the OSMP Administrative Office page.

Exemption from the rabies vaccination requirement is possible with a letter from a veterinarian affirming that the animal is medically unable to receive the required vaccination. If you are a City of Boulder resident, you’ll need to provide this waiver when you purchase your Boulder dog license. If you live outside the City of Boulder, you’ll provide the waiver at the time of registering for your Voice and Sight Tags. If you purchase tags online, you’ll upload a copy of the waiver instead of proof of vaccination.

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