Here are ten ways to leash up and head out in a canine-friendly Colorado.

DENVER METRO:
Walk and Shop Littleton’s Aspen Grove:
Aspen Grove provides an extraordinary array of dog-friendly shopping options. With 46 stores inviting dogs and their owners to shop together, you’ll hardly ever have to leave your best friend behind. Look for the dog-friendly storefront signs and walk right in! A day of walking and shopping this open-air mall is sure to leave a lasting impression on the both of you.
Paws in the Park With the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field:
Once a year, the Rockies invite dogs and their owners to a summer game. Catch America’s pastime with your best friend. Though be sure to keep Sparky from chasing after a base hit. Contact the Colorado Rockies for exact game times.
FRONT RANGE:
Hike the Boulder Flatirons:
Explore the foothills of the famed Rockies and set out on any marked trail cutting through the gullies and ravines, and along this area’s pristine evergreen ridges. You and your companion will experience panoramic vistas overlooking the city of Boulder and the grandeur of the Indian Peaks to the west.
SOUTH CENTRAL:
Great Sand Dunes National Park:
Hike, camp and explore one of the most unique national parks in North America. Seemingly endless dunes roll over the horizon like a great ocean of sand. Be sure to keep your dog leashed, but definitely unleash your desire to summit the tallest sand dunes in the United States.
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Dogs must be leashed at all times in the park. Please pick up after your animals so others can enjoy the unblemished serenity as well.
Rent a Raft and Shoot the Rapids:
Who says humans are the only daredevils? With a dog life-vest firmly strapped on, a rafting trip is a novel and exciting way to experience Colorado with man’s best friend. Buena Vista provides great put-in spots for the famous Brown’s Canyon and the rapids known as “The Numbers.”
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
While dog’s are naturally good swimmers, they may have a hard time keeping afloat without a life-vest. It’s highly recommended that one be purchased or rented before your trip.
NORTHWEST:
Snowshoeing in Frisco:
Take your dog for a hike along the extensive trail network on Mt. Royal, an abandoned mining site in one of Colorado’s favorite towns. Perfect Colorado snow entrances snowshoers and will elate all the senses of your furry snowshoeing companion.
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
A dog’s coat doesn’t necessarily mean they can effectively cope with cold weather. Be sure to bring plenty of water for your dog during the hike. As with humans, drinking lots of water helps stave off hypothermia. A warm towel to dry off your dog after the hike is also highly recommended. For extended outings, pick up two pairs of dog booties at your local pet supplier or outdoor store.
Traveling Through Aspen on all Fours:
Outdoor activities abound in Aspen. In winter, you and your dog can amble through a snow-laden town or snowshoe a backcountry trail. But after the snow melts, the town really heats up. With ski runs transformed into hiking trails, you and your dog will have an entire mountain range to explore. Hike among aspen trees and up to the tip of the Rockies. Aspen is sure to incite tail wagging, slobber and a wet nose from an ecstatic little buddy. If you’d prefer to skip the trail and stay in town, Aspen offers plenty of pet-friendly shopping, accommodation and dining options.
NORTHEAST:
Waterfowl Hunting on the Eastern Plains:
It’s a waterfowl hunters delight outside the town of Orchard, located near Fort Morgan. Take your trained retriever out for an extended weekend hunting trip and bag a variety of ducks and geese. With an incredibly picturesque backdrop for hunting you’ll have enough stories and fun to last you throughout the year.
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Many hunting outfitters offer hunting packages and will help you set up licensing and other necessities for your hunt. Call ahead to reserve your place.
SOUTHEAST:
A Pioneer Dog at Bent’s Old Fort:
Integral to the state’s history, Bent’s Old Fort — located between La Junta and Las Animas — is ideal for experiencing Colorado’s Western past without having to leave your best friend behind. Used as a trading post and a staging area for the “Army of the West” during the U.S.-Mexican War of 1846, the fort was eventually abandoned, then reconstructed to the elation of history buffs worldwide. You and your leashed dog can walk the grounds of the fort and the surrounding area, but please enjoy the internal rooms of the fort without your pet.
SOUTHWEST:
North Fork Valley Bluegrass Festival:
From June 9-11, Hotchkiss erupts with a mandolin-strumming, banjo-picking bluegrass festival that vibrates from the top of the Rockies. Bring your dog and dance along to the non-stop energy of bluegrass music.

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