How can you be reached?

We can be reached at 303-678-6200 or by email. Our mailing address is:

Boulder County Parks & Open Space (headquarters)
5201 St. Vrain Road
Longmont, CO  80503

The Boulder County Fairgrounds offices are located at 9595 Nelson Road in Longmont, and can be reached at (303) 678-6235.

The CSU Cooperative Extension Office is also located at the Fairgrounds and can be reached by calling (303) 678-6281.

What are your business hours?

We are open regular business hours from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Does the County have rules and regulations regarding use of open space?

Yes. Users are responsible for knowing and obeying all Boulder County  Parks and Open Space Rules and Regulations. Please check all rules and regulations posted on the kiosk at the entrance, parking areas or trailheads.

Resolution No. 2008-31 (56MB pdf) contains a complete listing of Boulder County Parks and Open Space rules and regulations.

Who do I contact if there is an emergency or if I see something unlawful occurring on open space?

For an emergency such as a fire, injury or any situation requiring immediate attention, call 911. For unlawful activity, call Sheriff's dispatch at 303-441-4444, and they will locate the nearest ranger.

Does Boulder County Parks and Open Space have a Junior Rangers program?

No, the County has the Boulder County Youth Corps, which provides teens, aged 14-17, opportunities to work on projects for Parks and Open Space and other departments. They can be reached at their web site or 303-441-4960. Boulder Junior Rangers is a City of Boulder youth program. They can be reached at 303-413-7615.

Parks and Open Space now also has the Nature Detectives Club, a fun activity parents and kids can do on their own!

Are there places to hike and mountain bike on Open Space Properties?

Boulder County Parks and Open Space has over 80 miles of trails on its open space properties. Most trails are multi-use, but there are some exceptions for biking and equestrian use. Mountain biking is permitted only on officially designated trails on open space properties. Hiking is permitted on all public open space trails unless closure signs are posted.

Mountain biking is prohibited on the Anne U. White Trail at Fourmile Canyon Creek, at Caribou Ranch, the Nighthawk and Button Rock Trails at Hall Ranch and the Lichen Trail at Heil Valley Ranch. Mountain biking is also prohibited on the Canyon Loop trail at Betasso park on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Where can I take my dog on open space? Can dogs be off-leash?

In general, dogs are permitted on all designated county open space trails with a few exceptions outlined below. On all County open space areas where dogs are allowed, they must be on-leash and under physical control by their guardian at all times, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Boulder County Open Space.

• Dogs are prohibited at Hall Ranch, Heil Valley Ranch, Caribou Ranch and Dodd Lake open space areas. These areas are considered prime wildlife habitat.

• Dogs are allowed off-leash at the west lake at Twin Lakes and at Reynolds Ranch open space.

• Dogs are not permitted in designated wildlife closure areas.

The City of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks have different rules and regulations for their open space parks. If you have questions about the City of Boulder's new Voice and Sight Dog Tag Program or the City's open space regulations, please visit www.osmp.org or call 303-441-3440.

What about horses?

With the exception of the Lichen Trail loop at Heil Valley Ranch and incorporated areas within Louisville and Lafayette, horses are permitted on open space lands. Please be aware, horses are prohibited on Coal Creek/Rock Creek trails within incorporated areas. Trails outside the incorporated areas, including Coalton Trail, Mayhoffer/Singletree, the new spur on Imel and all trails on Rock Creek Farm do allow horses.

Equestrians should also be aware that the Walker Ranch Loop Trail includes a 500-foot cliff-like section of stone steps that is not recommended for horses.

Equestrians are encouraged to stay on designated trails. Again, because of the large number of hikers, bikers, equestrians and dogs on open space trails, horses must be under the physical control of a person at all times.

Parks with designated horse trailer parking include Hall Ranch; Heil Valley Ranch; Rabbit Mountain; and Mud Lake, (which has a trail link to Caribou Ranch). Pella Crossing also has trailer parking areas, but space is limited.

If you have more questions about horses on open space, please call us at (303) 678-6200.

How do I find out when and where the County will be spraying herbicides to control weeds?

Weekly spraying schedules are published on our website at Weekly Updates on Herbicide Application Locations. For a daily update call our Herbicide Application Information number, 303-441-3940.

Also, a monthly weed spraying schedule is published in the Longmont Daily Times-Call's legal notice section on the weekend prior to the first week of each month. Properties published in the weed spraying schedule are only those lands open to the public. Lands open to the public are subject to herbicide applications but are not guaranteed to be sprayed.

Open space lands that are closed to the public may also be sprayed but are not necessarily included in the announcements. We do attempt to contact the lessees and adjacent landowners of these closed open space lands before any herbicide spraying occurs.

If you need more information, please contact Weed Resource Specialist Brendan Close at (303) 678-6291.

Does the County operate the Boulder Reservoir?

Boulder Reservoir is a City of Boulder Facility. They can be reached at: 303-441-3461.

How do I reserve a group picnic shelter?

Shelter reservations can be made for some of Boulder County Parks and Open Space group shelters. The remaining shelters are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Are there any good places to camp on Boulder County open space?

Camping is prohibited in all parks and open space; except at the Boulder County Fairgrounds Campground in Longmont.

Are there good places to fish on Boulder County Open Space properties?

Now that license plates are no longer designated by counties, how can I park at Flagstaff without paying a fee?

Flagstaff Mountain is a City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Facility, even though Flagstaff Road is owned and maintained by Boulder County. Parking permits are available at the OSMP operations office at 66 S. Cherryvale Road. They can be reached at: 303-441-3440 or www.osmp.org.

Does the County operate Chautauqua, Flagstaff Amphitheater and Mesa Trail?

The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks operates all of these facilities. They are located at 66 S. Cherryvale Rd. and can be reached at 303-441-3440 or www.osmp.org.

What should I do if I find a dead wild animal on open space property?

If a dead, wild animal is found on open space property, leave it be. If you suspect unlawful activity, please report it to the Sheriff's dispatch at 303-441-4444.

What should I do if I have an unwanted wildlife encounter?

Wildlife in the State of Colorado is under the control of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. If you have an unwanted wildlife encounter or have any other questions about encounters or preventing wildlife encounters, contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife at 303-297-1192.

Where do I report animal bites?

The Boulder County Animal Control Unit services all unincorporated areas of Boulder County, and the towns of Lyons, Superior and Jamestown. The Animal Control Unit Investigates cases involving animal bites, abused or neglected animals, dogs running at large, sick or injured animals, and barking dogs. For more information, call 303-441-3626.

What about prairie dogs?

Boulder County manages prairie dogs on county open space lands in accordance with its Grasslands Management Plan (Prairie Dog Habitat Element), adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on May 28, 2002 and amended in 2005.

Boulder County strives to coordinate prairie dog management with other agencies, including the City of Boulder and other municipalities in Boulder County, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other interested entities or individuals.

The plan seeks to balance wildlife habitat protection goals and goals for preserving agriculture in Boulder County and establishes prairie dog management categories for specified open space lands. There are three management categories, including Prairie Dog Habitat Conservation Areas (HCA), Multiple-Objective Areas (MOA) and No-Prairie Dog Areas, which are usually agricultural lands or otherwise unsuitable habitat areas.

For more information, please contact the County's Wildlife Specialist, Mark Brennan, at mbrennan@co.boulder.co.us.

Is Eldorado Canyon Park a County park?

No, Eldorado Canyon is a State Park, they can be reached at
303-494-3943.

Does Boulder County Parks and Open Space operate Boulder Creek Trail or the Teller Farms Trail system?

Boulder Creek Trail is operated by the City of Boulder Greenways Program. They can be reached at 303-441-3266. The Teller Farms Trail system is operated by the City of Boulder Open Space Mountain Parks Department. They can be reached at
303-441-3440.