Bobcat Ridge Management Plan - City of Fort Collins, CO

Trails - Leashed Dog Walking
Dog walking is one of the most popular types of recreational use in city natural areas, especially
within the urban area. With limited exceptions, most natural areas and trails are available for
leashed dog walking. There are 41 natural areas that allow leashed dog walking out of the 44 open
to the public. Out of approximately 33 miles of trail the natural areas program manages, 29 miles
are available for leashed dog walking.
Unfortunately, dogs off leash remain the program’s number one visitor compliance issue.
Conflicts between dogs and other visitors are a continual source of citizen complaints.
Opportunities Both valley and mountain areas offer ample opportunities for dog
walking. An existing road network is in place that could form a basis
for portions of the trail layout.
Constraints There is an active grazing lease on site; potential dog/cattle
interactions could occur.
Rangers have limited ability to comprehensively enforce on-leash
regulations, especially in backcountry areas.
Enforcing the leash law has been problematic system-wide.
Dogs off leash are a threat to the natural resources being protected
and the quality of other visitor’s experiences.
Wildlife is a threat or a hazard to off leashed dogs.
High Quality
Visitor Experience
Ability to
Protect Resources
Capacity
to Manage
Recommended
Action
Natural areas regulations and city code require that dogs be leashed
in all natural areas. A limited ability to patrol the entire property
would result in low levels of compliance especially in areas out of
visual range of the valley. Dogs off leash have caused negative dog/
human interactions in other natural areas.
Limited or prohibited dog use of the area would ensure protection of
sensitive biological resources (deer, elk, etc.).
Dog waste degrades resources and is a human health hazard. It is
currently a problem in many other natural areas.
Ranger staff has limited ability to enforce leash code on this property.
Prohibit dogs at this sensitive natural area.
63 Visitor Use