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Old 10-15-2021, 11:55 AM
 
2 posts, read 4,191 times
Reputation: 15

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Hello - we are considering moving to Ft Collins (just visited for a few days and liked the city). We have an active (but well-behaved) dog who likes to run, sniff and explore (off leash) on trails that we hike on where we currently live. Like I mentioned, he recalls well and is a friendly dog to others. I fully appreciate the leash laws for the parks and natural areas within the city limits but am wondering where we can take Rio for off-leash hikes that are not too far from the city limits. Dog Parks are not the answer I'm looking for
Any help would be greatly appreciated by us... and Rio. Thanks so much!
Julie
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Old 10-15-2021, 05:11 PM
 
Location: Aurora, CO
8,603 posts, read 14,883,453 times
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Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you're not likely to find many areas outside of dog parks where off-leash is an option.
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Old 10-15-2021, 05:25 PM
 
Location: Victory Mansions, Airstrip One
6,750 posts, read 5,050,851 times
Reputation: 9189
Consider moving to Boulder County instead.
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Old 10-17-2021, 07:43 AM
 
1,190 posts, read 1,195,270 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hikernut View Post
Consider moving to Boulder County instead.
Since I grew up in BoCo please let us know where the off leash hiking areas are there.
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Old 10-17-2021, 08:15 AM
 
Location: Victory Mansions, Airstrip One
6,750 posts, read 5,050,851 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LHS79 View Post
Since I grew up in BoCo please let us know where the off leash hiking areas are there.
We took our dogs to Marshall Mesa a lot, and trails in the Flatirons area. There’s probably more, but not certain about that.

City of Boulder did start requiring an off leash permit, what was it… probably 20 years ago.
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Old 10-17-2021, 08:36 AM
 
1,105 posts, read 1,250,309 times
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Will your dog chase the wildlife? That is the big problem I would have and likely why there are rules in place.

We are in SW Colorado in somewhat of a remote area and yesterday a neighbor had a friend over who brought a dog. Friend left the dog outside. I dont think our neighbors even knew what went on (yet.) but this dog chased and traumitized deer for many hours. I like dogs and liked this dog because it was just having a real good time but I dont think the deer needed this trauma as they are getting ready for winter.
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Old 10-17-2021, 11:43 AM
 
Location: Northern Colorado
718 posts, read 1,985,571 times
Reputation: 820
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoolia View Post
Hello - we are considering moving to Ft Collins (just visited for a few days and liked the city). We have an active (but well-behaved) dog who likes to run, sniff and explore (off leash) on trails that we hike on where we currently live. Like I mentioned, he recalls well and is a friendly dog to others. I fully appreciate the leash laws for the parks and natural areas within the city limits but am wondering where we can take Rio for off-leash hikes that are not too far from the city limits. Dog Parks are not the answer I'm looking for
Any help would be greatly appreciated by us... and Rio. Thanks so much!
Julie
Hi Julie,
Your best bet for off-leash dogs near Fort Collins is in the National Forest. Pets are allowed off leash in National Forest away from developed recreational sites and outside of designated wilderness areas. They mush be on a 6 foot leash in designated wilderness areas and developed recreational areas. (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/p...d=fsm91_058268)

For a list of of hiking trails in the local Canyon Lakes USFS district, see this page:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/arp...28024&actid=50
Note that some of these are in wilderness, so check before going.
The most popular close to Fort Collins are Hewlett Gulch and Young's Gulch partially because of proximity and partially because of the streams the dogs like to play in.

Colorado State Parks (6-foot), Fort Collins Natural Areas (6-foot), and Larimer County Natural Resources (10-foot) require pets to be on leashes of the lenghts noted at all times while in the lands managed by those land agencies. Note that some do not allow pets at all due to wildlife and resource protections, so again check before heading out.
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Old 10-17-2021, 01:20 PM
Status: "Nothin' to lose" (set 7 days ago)
 
Location: Concord, CA
7,182 posts, read 9,313,073 times
Reputation: 25612
Wife talked me into letting our dog go off leash on a trail in Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs.

Everything was fine until the dog saw a deer running. Off she went...

It took us 2 hours to finally find her and get her back.
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Old 10-17-2021, 01:36 PM
 
2 posts, read 4,191 times
Reputation: 15
Thanks so much for all the helpful responses - I really appreciate it! Rio would definitely chase wildlife - heck, he even hunts and chases grasshoppers! He'll stay on the leash. Thanks again!
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Old 10-17-2021, 07:44 PM
 
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,704 posts, read 58,022,681 times
Reputation: 46172
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoolia View Post
...He'll stay on the leash. Thanks again!
Thank you!
There are many legitimate reasons for leash laws.
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