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It’s no secret that Coloradans love their dogs. In fact, it’s common for Fido to tag along to parks, breweries, work—and even Home Depot. But the best place to take your pup is to open space dedicated just for him and his four-legged brethren to run, play, bark, and fetch: the dog park.
Luckily, there are plenty of such spots for your pup to wag his tail at. Here are seven suggestions across the metro area that have our paw print of approval (just don’t forget your pet-friendly waste bags). Plus, four more where the hoomans can have a drink.
Tony Grampsas Dog Park, Golden
Tucked in the shadow of North Table Mountain in Golden, Tony Grampsas Dog Park could (almost) pass as an open space. The 2.5-acre park is shrouded in greenery and complete with a few short trails and a small wooded area where your pup can roam. Owners can sit back and relax at one of the picnic tables while their dogs prance around the fenced area. To get to this tucked-away spot, follow the sidewalk past the baseball fields at Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex or park near next-door neighbor New Terrain Brewing Company and cap your visit off with a pint on their pup-friendly patio. Beware: The park may be muddy after rain or snow, and it’s advised to bring water to refill the bowls on-site. Open sunrise to sunset; free
Forsberg Park, Lakewood
Clocking in at a little over 2.5 acres, this Lakewood park offers two distinct fenced areas for large and small breeds, as well as beautiful views of the nearby Green Mountain and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It’s located on a moderate slope and features a small obstacle course in one of the fenced areas, so this is a good place to give your pup a workout. While there is a doggie drinking fountain outside the fenced area, bring water with you during the winter months, when the park’s water supply is shut off. Open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; free
Cherry Creek Dog Off-Leash Area, Aurora
The 107-acre off-leash dog park is located in the southeast corner of Cherry Creek State Park and is a great spot for your water-loving fur baby. The fenced area offers access to a portion of Cherry Creek, as well as varying terrain and trails for your dog to explore. The only downsides to this beautiful spot are the cost and the possibility of a wait time during peak hours. If you have time to kill, put your dog back on the leash (six feet or shorter) and explore the rest of the state park’s trails and wildlife area. Open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Daily vehicle pass is $10–$15, plus a $3 daily entrance fee to the off-leash area or $25 for an annual off-leash pass; limit three dogs per handler
Glendale Farms Dog Park, Castle Pines
With 17 acres dedicated to off-leash play, plus a nice 1.6-mile loop where leashed dogs are welcome, Glendale Farms in Castle Pines is a laid-back park with options for every canine. The park is located in the Glendale Farms Open Space, just off I-25, near Sky Ridge Medical Center. For training your (vaccinated) puppy, check out the obstacle course, complete with a staircase ramp and barrel. As with some of the other parks, it is mainly dirt, so it can get muddy during wet weather, and be on the lookout for rattlesnakes in the summer. Open one hour before sunrise and an hour after sunset; free
Chatfield State Park Off-Leash Dog Area, Littleton
In terms of exploration, Fido can’t beat the open spaces and ponds at Chatfield’s dog park. With both gravel and paved walking trails, your pup can romp through the 69 acres with ease. Additional features include two sport-dog training areas (for burgeoning bird dogs) that require a Special Activity Permit but have 16 acres of upland terrain and eight acres of flatwater. Though there is a fee for entry, you can expect a well-maintained state park experience. Open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; $12–$17 daily vehicle pass, plus a $3 daily entrance fee to the off-leash area or $25 for an annual off-leash pass; limit three dogs per handler
Westminster Hills Off-Leash Dog Park, Westminster
Located at the corner of 105th Avenue and Simms Street, this 420-acre park is by far the largest off-leash playground in the Denver area—and it has a cult following. When the city contemplated shrinking the off-leash area in 2024, devoted dog owners fought back so fervently the council dropped the idea. Beyond the benches, a shade shelter (there are few trees), a doggie drinking fountain, and a small pond for your fur baby to take a dip, you’ll find this sprawling open space relaxing and peaceful (it draws crowds around 5 p.m.). Play fetch in the open field or take a stroll on one of the paths, but be warned that the park only has partial fencing, so it is important that your dogs be voice trained. Open sunrise to sunset; free
Valmont Dog Park, Boulder
No green tag, no problem. Boulderites itching to let their pooches roam should check out the three-acre dog area at Valmont City Park. A fenced-in area keeps pups away from the street (and pump track), and there’s a pen offset for small dogs. Rolling hills and shaded areas add some variation, and long-range views west to the Flatirons make for awesome sunsets if you hit it after work. Because it’s Boulder, expect a bunch of canine playmates any time of day, all year. Open sunrise to sunset; free
4 Dog Parks With Bars on the Front Range
1. Pub Dog Colorado
Want to enjoy more than just a pint with your pup? Take a daytrip to Colorado Springs and pull up a chair at Pub Dog Colorado, the only restaurant in the state where dogs are legally allowed to dine indoors. The kitchen slings dishes for humans (burgers, street tacos, handheld sammies) and hounds (unseasoned beef patties, pupsicles, rice bowls topped with protein). Afterward, your canine can run off his drool-worthy dinner at the connected 9,000-square-foot off-leash dog park, which often hosts pop-up events like foam parties (for pups), yoga (for humans), and breed-specific meetups (for everyone). $0.25 membership fee applied to all bills
2. Coal Mine Ave. Brewing
Name a better duo than canines and craft beer. We’ll wait. Coal Mine Ave. Brewing in Littleton combines these two loves into one quintessentially Colorado haunt. The dog park here is small, at 2,500 square feet, so it’s best for good boys that like to mingle. Order a flight so you can sample five unique brews, ranging from a jalapeño margarita gose to a malty Dunkel, grab some grub from the food truck of the day, and claim a table in the off-leash area, where your schnauzer can rub snoots with other four-legged regulars. Free admission with purchase of food or drink
3. Skiptown Denver
Shake up the scenery of your WFH days at Skiptown, a 50,000-square-foot facility in the Clayton neighborhood. It’s filled with ample indoor/outdoor off-leash play space, a doggie daycare, and boarding and grooming services. While pooches climb rocks and roll around on the artificial turf, owners can sidle up to the bar for a caffeine boost, local craft beer, or specialty cocktail (depending on how the workday is going). Staff members, affectionately deemed Skippers, patrol the off-leash area to ensure all play stays friendly. (They also scoop any stray poop.) $20 for a day pass; $25 per month for unlimited entry
4. Romero’s K9 Club & Tap House
If your pack’s territory is the north Denver ’burbs, corral your crew at this laid-back watering hole and hound hangout in Lafayette. With an impressive selection of beer on tap from all over the country, Romero’s is an unpretentious joint beloved by two- and four-legged locals. Dogs are welcome to roam off-leash in the outdoor biergarten; leashed pups can sit on the temperature-controlled patio. Preregister your pups online before arriving to speed up entry, and come hungry: Momo Sushi On the Go is usually parked out front for all your dumpling desires. $5 for one dog; $8 for two
The Do’s & Don’ts of Dog Park Etiquette
- DO make sure your furry friend is up to date on vaccinations.
- DO bring ample waste bags.
- DO leave your dog’s collar on, and leash him when entering and exiting.
- DO know the licensing laws for dogs in your county.
- DON’T bring aggressive dogs.
- DON’T leave your dog unattended.
