Good dogs roam free

With a quick video, a small fee and a special green tag, dogs can cruise the mountains off-leash in some of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks.

Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) allow dogs to run off-leash in designated areas as long as they’re wearing their special green tag
In 2006 OSMP created the Voice and Sight Dog Tag program, allowing dog owners to unleash their dogs as long as they can be seen at all times and return to their owner upon command.

The requirements for the tag are straightforward and easy to understand. Anyone who wishes to walk a dog off leash needs to watch a 12-minute instructional video that lays out the rules for the program. Some of those rules include:
• Keeping your dog in sight and sound range
• Carrying a leash for each dog
• Leashing your dog in and around the parking lot
• Picking up after your dog on and off the trail
• Making sure your dog respects wildlife, people and other dogs on the trail.

“This tag program gave the citizens of Boulder an opportunity, and we put the responsibility on them. It’s their dog and they need to take care of their dog,” Boulder park ranger Jerry Katapodes said.

The rangers assume Boulder citizens will respect the guidelines in the video, but if rules are broken, there are monetary consequences, reaching up to $200.

“Most of the violations that are under the voice and sight control tag program are $50 fines. Dog running at large, dog without a tag, [but] these also escalate,” Katapodes said.

Local dog owner Jane Roberts’ two Huskies, Sasha and Nanook, got their green tags in June and so far, she think the program works well. “I think it’s great,” she said. “I think it’s a great way to ensure that dogs that are well behaved and under voice control have a way to run off leash on these trails.

The green tag costs $15 per dog for Boulder citizens and $18.75 for non residents. Anyone can register their dog on-line or at designated Parks. For more information visit www.osmp.org or phone (303) 441.3440