Boulder Colorado Trails: Good Trail Stewardship
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Recreation & Scenery Good Trail Stewardship
Be a Good Trail Steward
Our trail health is very important to us here in Boulder. If you live here, or you are visiting, please note the following to be a good steward to our trails and open space.
Share the Trail
A wide variety of people use the trails here including hikers, photographers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and even olympic athletes! Please share the trail and note the guidelines for yielding to other trail users. Most important, be friendly and share the road! Remember also, it's not just humans you are sharing the area with. We are visitors in the domain of the plants and animals that live here full time. Be a good guest.
Noise
Please keep in mind that many people that use these trails do so to escape the daily grind. Please keep noise to minimum (within reason) since noises scare off the animals and disturb the humans seeking a little peace. It's not a library, but you get the idea....
Manage your Dogs / Companions
Boulder is dog heaven, and we want to keep it that way. Please keep your dog or pet on leash where required and remember that while most Boulderites love dogs, not everyone wants a random dog jumping on them. Keep your pets near you and under your control. Most likely people will be more than happy to see your pet enjoying the trails. Carrying a leash is always required, even if you are in an area where companions can be off-leash. Though we know it can be hard to contain their excitement, don't let your companion chase or harass wildlife.
Pick up Poop!
Please grab a pick-up-bag and use it. Once again, we love dogs and other pets, and a happy pet enjoying our open space is what Boulder is all about. But please, pick up after your pet and take it out with you. This isn't just a concern for other trail users. Pet waste often carries microbes that are not native to the area and is very high in nitrogen which encourages invasive plant growth and habitat damage. It's also a potential disease source and hazard to other dogs. So, as it turns out, your pets poop is different than what the locals leave. Trails have pet-poop bags for you to use. We make it easy, so please use them and remember the bags go in a trash can or pet waste tube, not "somewhere else".
Stay on the Trail
Please stay on the trails. Boulder has so many trails that you can go almost anywhere you want and see anything you like. But please, we work very hard on our trails. Don't leave the trails and don't make your own. They are very destructive to the local habitat that makes the area worth being in in the the first place. In the high elevations, some plants only grow a centimeter or so per year. Stepping on an alpine plant might destroy years of growth and weeds often replace the local plants. It really matters.
Take Your Trash
This is a really easy one. Don't litter. No explanation is necessary here. Nothing shows more disrespect for the open space than just tossing your trash in it. Each year many animals are found dead with clogged digestive systems containing trash someone has carelessly left about.
Leave it as you find it
Please don't disturb the habitat. Don't pick flowers, collect rocks, move things, pick berries, etc. While it might seem like no big deal, the habitat is very sensitive and because so many people use the trails, a little disturbance from each of us can really add up! Remember you are a visitor to the habitat of our local plants and animals. We don't live here, they do. If you want to "collect", photography is a great way to do it. Everyone loves pictures.
Mountain Bikes & Horses
In general it is always the case that everyone must yield to horses, but mountain bikers in particular should pay attention to the rider's directions and take precaution not to startle the horse where possible for the safety of everyone involved (and good trail relations).
Dealing With Animals
The diversity of animals in Boulder is stunning. Observing animals is a lot of fun - for you. Here are some tips for dealing with them in a wildlife-friendly way:
- Observe animals from a distance they consider safe. If they are visibly nervous you are probably already too close. They don't need a scary encounter to decide to leave the area, repeated "nervousness" is enough.
- Don't chase them or harass them (pets too). Not only is it harmful, it's illegal.
- Use the animal's behavior as your guide.
- Be aware that the area is home to many animals that are indeed dangerous including Black Bears and Mountain Lions.
- Animals will be particularly defensive among their young. Don't disturb their young and, with larger animals, never get between a parent (usually mom) and their young. This is especially true with a mother Black Bear and cubs which you are most likely to run into in the late fall when the hills are getting dry, berries are sparse, and winter is on the way.
- Because many animals have very little energy to waste in the winter, it can be the worst time to get them jumpy.
Want to contribute?
There are a number of organizations that are involved in trail maintenance and the construction of new trails. Contribute (many are non-profit), volunteer, and help out. Volunteering and giving back is what makes Boulder great. We take care of each other and our environment. Get involved!
- Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance (BMA)
- Boulder Area Trails Coalition (BATCO)
- Boulder County Horse Association
- Conservation Easements: Donations
- Open Space Volunteering!
- Volunteer Naturalist Program
- Adopt a Park or Trail
Thanks for abiding by these guidelines. Help keep Boulder worth living in.