As the summer heats up, many of our furry friends can’t seem to get cool. Luckily, there are a few places around the county where they can take a dip.
For a quick cool-down, dogs love the East Boulder Off-Leash Dog Park, which has reopened its swimming area since the flood.
The Louisville Community Park at 955 Bella Vista Drive has a pond area for dogs that uses reclaimed domestic wastewater. This water is not suitable for human consumption, and guardians should use their own judgment whether to allow their pups to swim and drink.
Some of the best swimming in the county can be found at lakes, such as Coot Lake north of Boulder. Dogs have the whole east and south shores of Coot Lake available to them, though the west and north are reserved wetland spaces. The nearby Boulder Reservoir is only available to canine swimmers during the off-season, so make sure your dogs don’t stray.
For less sociable dogs, a good choice is West Lake at Twin Lakes in Gunbarrel, which allows off-leash pets on the trail and in the water. Union Reservoir in Longmont is one of Colorado’s only natural lakes, and offers a dog-training area on the south shore that’s ideal for younger dogs.
For two weeks in September, Scott Carpenter Park at Arapahoe and 30th Street puts on Dog Dayz, the canine swimming event of the season, when pups can swim in the Scott Carpenter pool before it closes for the season. There is an entry fee of $5 per dog, per session, or $35 for unlimited entry for up to two dogs.
Important: Dogs need to pass Boulder’s Voice and Sight Control (TAG) Program to be allowed off leash in open space, including swimming areas.
—Eli Wallace
