Regulations
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The following regulations are in effect on the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks for the enjoyment and protectionof this unique resource. Please take the time to read posted regulations at each trailhead as they vary by area. You are responsible for knowing and obeying all OSMP regulations. Violations may result in summons and/or fines. Rangers patroll OSMP land. For further information please contact the City of Boulder OSMP department, at 303-441-3440. In case of an emergency, call 911.
Dog Regulations
Dog regulations vary on OSMP lands. In some areas dogs must be leashed. In other areas, dogs may be allowed off leash if they meet the voice and sight control standards at all times.
Dogs must be managed when visiting in order to limit negative impacts on the environment and other visitors. Dogs can frighten or chase wildlife. Dog management is necessary to provide a good experience for all visitors. Some visitors are afraid of dogs for many different reasons - all of which must be respected. Managing dogs also helps protect dogs and guardians. Dogs sniffing in prairie dog holes can pick up fleas carrying bubonic plague. Dogs can be stung by insects, sprayed by skunks, eaten by mountain lions, infected with rabies or distemper, injured or lost.
Visitors are legally responsible for picking up and disposing of their pet's excrement. Dog waste is very damaging to the environment. Please see our special page for dog owners.
OSMP relies on visitors to pick up after their dogs. OSMP staff remove about 40 tons of dog waste each year while emptying trash cans at trailheads. That's the equivalent weight of 15 Ford Explorers!
Bike Regulations
Biking is allowed on
designated trails, which are identified on the
OSMP Trail Map. Bikes must remain on-trail. This limits erosion, costly trail maintenance and reduces conflicts between users. When people or animals walk, they leave disjointed tracks whereas a bike leaves a continuous rut which water will follow when draining.
Bikes must also yield the trail according to the following regulation:
"All trail users on City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks property are required to yield to other trail users in the following manner:
- All users yield to equestrians;
- bicyclists yield to pedestrians, and bicyclists headed downhill yield to bicyclists headed uphill.
Yielding the right of way requires slowing down to a safe speed, being prepared to stop, establishing communication, and passing safely."
More information about biking on OSMP
Hang Gliding and Paragliding
Hang gliding and paragliding are allowed at a launch site near Wonderland Lake. Other potential launch sites are currently being explored.
Horse Regulations
Horses are permitted on all trails unless specifically prohibited.
Glass Containers
Broken glass is difficult to clean up. People, pets and wildlife can be injured by broken glass, so glass containers are prohibited.
Hiking Off-Trail
A hiker's foot can crush delicate wild flowers, create erosion-prone "social trails" and cause 
designated trails to widen over time. When hiking, please stay on the trail tread even when it is muddy or icy to protect surrounding vegetation. You can wash your boots, but a plant may be permanently damaged by a careless footprint.
You must apply for and obtain an off-trail permit if you plan to travel off of a designated trail in a Habitat Conservation Area (HCA) prior to your trip. Follow this link to learn about the rare species protected in our HCAs.
HCA Map 980.01 Kb
In other areas hiking off-trail is not actually prohibited by law, but results in significant damage and deterioration to the land. Please stick to designated hiking trails and avoid cross-country travel and "social trails."
Damaging Property
Many Open Space and Mountain Parks buildings and structures have historical value and need to be preserved for future enjoyment. Erosion will occur from driving or biking in sensitive areas. Breaking branches or carving on trees will expose the tree to infection or insects and weakens the tree. Removing signs results in confusion or potential risk to visitors and can lead to resource damage.
Any damage to or removal of OSMP property or natural features including but not limited to wildflowers, artifacts, rocks, wildlife, trees, signs, trail markers, etc. is prohibited.
Wildlife Protection
Wildlife is protected on Open Space and Mountain Parks land. Harassing wildlife can cause stress or injury and may discourage it from returning to the area. Animals may abandon a nest or young.
Many of the animals that make their homes on Open Space and Mountain Parks are rare or vanishing across their range. This protected land offers a refuge for these species and for other animals upon which they depend for survival.
It is against the law to disturb any wildlife or wildlife habitat on Open Space and Mountain Parks land. Hunting, trapping, chasing or removing wildlife is specifically prohibited. Any research or academic project must be authorized by the Open Space and Mountain Parks Department. 2006 Research Guidelines (116.23 KB)
Area Closures
Area closures are sometimes used to protect nesting raptors (prairie falcons, peregrine falcons, golden eagles, ospreys), some breeding species of bats and when bears or mountain lions are temporally present in an area. Human disturbance may cause these animals to abandon their eggs or young. Under some circumstances large animals may present an inadvertent threat to humans.
Some parts of Open Space and Mountain Parks are seasonally closed to all users usually for periods ranging from February 1 to July 31, or in other cases April 1 through September 1. Click here for an updated listing of all seasonal wildlife closures. Follow this link to meet some of the incredible animals protected by these closures.
Camping
Camping is not allowed on Open Space and Mountain Parks. This includes using a vehicle as a residence. No tents or nets can be erected, with the ONE exception of a small campground at Fourth of July Trailhead, located in the mountains about one hour west of Boulder.
Camping can have negative impacts to vegetation, wildlife and other park visitors. Campfires increase the danger of wildfire and campgrounds require increased maintenance and patrol. Human waste may jeopardize the environment.
Fires
Fires are only allowed in designated fire pits/grills because of the danger of fire spreading to other areas and causing wildland fires. Fire pits and grills are located only in the immediate area around Flagstaff Mountain. Fires are permitted only in designated fire pits/grills. Fires are prohibited between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Fires must be extinguished completely prior to leaving the area. During times of extreme fire danger fire bans may be instituted.
Fireworks
Fires/Fireworks/Hot air balloons/Gas-powered devices are all prohibited due to the danger of causing wildland fires. Noise concerns and safety of other visitors are also a consideration.
Possession or discharge of fireworks is prohibited. Fireworks include firecrackers, roman candles, model rockets, hot air balloons and numerous other items.
Litter, Trash & Dumping
Litter can be a hazard to people and wildlife. Items such as glass, 6-pack rings, metal with sharp edges, and other litter are dangerous, and may also clog natural or manmade waterways. Cigarette butts, dried paper, tissues, newspaper, etc., are a fire hazard.
Please dispose of litter in trash cans, or remove it from the area if trash containers are full. Dumping of residential or other trash generated elsewhere is prohibited.
Photo - Hiker trash found in a bear's scat at Bear Peak. Contents include plastic bags, aluminum foil, cigarette butts.
Curfew
Curfew is set to control overnight use of parking lots for camping or parties. OSMP parking lots are closed to vehicles between midnight and 5 a.m. (11 p.m. on Flagstaff).
Motorized Vehicles
Service road gates must remain unblocked in order to provide emergency access at any time. Motorized vehicles must remain in parking lots to concentrate use and protect natural areas from resource damage done by off-road vehicles.
Motor vehicles are prohibited except in parking lots. Some lots along Flagstaff Road require a parking fee.
Weapons & Firearms
Visitors with weapons jeopardize the safety of other visitors and wildlife. Prohibiting firearms also protects structures and facilities from vandalism due to target practice.
Possession or discharge of a firearm or weapon, including paint ball guns, is prohibited on OSMP.
Trespass
In order to allow an extra measure of protection for special or sensitive areas and protect buildings and structures from vandalism, entering closed areas or climbing on buildings is prohibited. Entering a closed area is Trespass on Public Property.
Horse and Livestock Grazing
OSMP leases areas that are suitable for grazing to lessees through a formal agreement. Grazing is one strategy used to promote the department's environmental objectives, such as the control of weeds without the use of chemicals, or to restore native grasslands.
Grazing of domestic animals, commercial livestock operations and livery operations are prohibited without a permit.
Permits for Organized Events
Any recreational, athletic, or social event intended for an attendance of 25 or more persons will need a permit. You may apply for a facility permit for events on the Flagstaff Summit. For all other events, you may download a special use permit (92.93 KB), or call or stop by OSMP for application information.
Please visit the permit page for more information.
Bolting
Placement of Fixed Hardware (bolts, pitons, pins) is prohibited unless done in accordance with Notification of Bolt Replacement guidelines or as part of the Flatiron Climbing Council's Fixed Hardware Project. If you come across what you determine to be an unsafe bolt and wish to replace it, download and use this Notification for Bolt Replacement Form (9.73 KB). Replacement notifications are reviewed by OSMP staff and the FCC's Fixed Hardware Review Committee before final approval. In addition, certain specific areas of the Flatirons are eligible for new route development as part of the Fixed Hardware Project. Applicants can submit new route proposals and each proposal is reviewed by OSMP and the FCC before final approval. Information on which specific areas are eligible for new route development, as well as detailed information on the application process, can be found at on the Flatiron's Climbing Council Web site.
Other Prohibited Conduct
Golfing, polluting the water, wading or boating on lakes or ponds, sliding (sledding) except in designated areas, amplified sound systems, and disturbing the peace of other users by noise.
Alcohol
Please be aware that state law prohibits the consumption of alcohol greater than 3.2% in any public place. Glass containers are prohibited on Open Space and Mountain Parks.
Parking Fee Areas
All park visitors who do not reside in Boulder County and/or whose motor vehicles are not registered in Boulder County must possess either a daily or annual permit to park on Flagstaff Mountain or in Gregory Canyon (
see map, 50KB).
If you are a Boulder County resident:
You may obtain a resident permit at no charge by showing proof of residency and current Boulder County motor vehicle registration. Resident permits are good for the calendar year and are available by mail or in person at the: Open Space and Mountain Parks Administration, 66 S. Cherryvale Rd., Boulder, CO, 80303. Call 303-441-3440 for more information.
If you are not a Boulder County Resident:
You must possess either a daily or annual permit. Daily permits may be purchased for $3.00 at any one of six self-service stations located on Flagstaff Mountain ( see map, 50KB).
Gregory Canyon - Base of Flagstaff Road
Panorama Point - 1.0 miles up Flagstaff Road
Crown Rock - 2.2 miles up Flagstaff Road
Realization Point - 3.4 miles up Flagstaff Road
Flagstaff Summit - 0.5 miles up Flagstaff Summit Road from Realization Point
Lost Gulch Overlook - 4.3 miles up Flagstaff Road
Annual permits may be purchased from OSMP for $15 as described above.
For those with Flagstaff Facility Reservations:
Applicants of reservations for the Flagstaff Summit Shelters or the Halfway House may either have attendees purchase daily permits at self-service stations provided or may pre-purchase daily permits at the Open Space & Mountain Parks administrative office. (Note: pre-purchased daily permits are available only to those with paid reservations, and are not refundable.)
Share the Trail
Trail users are required to yield the trail according to the following regulation:
"All trail users on City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks property are required to yield to other trail users in the following manner:
- All users yield to equestrians;
- bicyclists yield to pedestrians, and bicyclists headed downhill yield to bicyclists headed uphill.
Yielding the right of way requires slowing down to a safe speed, being prepared to stop, establishing communication, and passing safely."
More Visitor Links
»Trail Maps
»Trail Descriptions
»Visiting with Dogs
»Wildlife Closures
»Leave No Trace on Open Space
Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 October 2009 14:33
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