Ridgway State Park reminds visitors to keep dogs on leash

John Livingston
Southwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / [email protected]
@CPW_SW

RIDGWAY, Colo. – Following several incidents in recent years, Ridgway State Park rangers are cracking down on visitors with off-leash dogs.

The day-use area of Ridgway State Park at the Dallas Creek entrance had become a popular place for visitors to let their dogs run off leash. However, park staff have responded to several complaints in recent years ranging from dog bites and fights to off-leash dogs chasing and harassing wildlife.

“We had an incident last year of an off-leash dog that chased a deer through the park and onto U.S. Highway 550 where the deer was hit by a motorist,” said Park Manager Johnathon Freeborn. “We obviously can’t have incidents like that and want all of our visitors to feel safe.”

This is not a new regulation. Ridgway State Park is aligning its enforcement with regulation 2CCR 405 #100.C.16 pursuant to C.R.S 33-15-102 (1), which states: “To allow any dog or other pet on Parks and Outdoor Recreation Lands, unless the same shall be under control and on a leash not exceeding six feet in length. This requirement for dogs or other pets to be on a six foot leash shall not apply when the animal is confined in a vehicle or vessel…Any person having a dog or other pet creating a nuisance or disturbance or who fails to properly control a dog or other pet may be evicted from the park or recreation area.”

E-collars are not a valid leash or pet restraint, and a pet running around dragging a leash not held by an owner also does not qualify as being under control.

Additional signage has been installed to accompany existing signage related to dogs on leash throughout the park. 

Park rangers will be handing out informational cards on the importance of keeping dogs on leash, and the park has purchased six-foot leashes to hand out to visitors who do not have dogs on leash and are not near their vehicles to access one.

“Right now, we will be focused on education and making sure our visitors are compliant with this regulation,” Freeborn said. “But we are documenting contacts and looking for repeat offenders and will issue citations if needed.”

Those with questions, concerns or complaints can stop into the Ridgway State Park Visitor Center, talk to a ranger or call 970-626-5822.