Colorado dogs live the ultimate dream life. From conquering mountain peaks to splashing in crystal-clear lakes, these adventurous pups get to experience the state’s natural beauty like no other. But sometimes all they really want is to head to a local dog park and romp around with the other pups, chasing squirrels and “writing letters”.
With this in mind, let’s explore the 7 most paw-some dog parks in the Denver metro area!
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Boulder: Valmont Dog Park
Don’t have a green tag? No worries! Boulder’s Valmont City Park boasts a three-acre canine playground perfect for letting your pup run wild. Fenced in to keep your furry friend safe from the street and pump track, the park also offers a separate area for smaller dogs. With rolling hills, shady spots, and stunning views of the Flatirons, it’s a dog’s dream. And let’s not forget the social aspect: you’ll likely meet plenty of four-legged friends to play with. Open from sunrise to sunset and completely free, it’s a local favorite for a reason.
Golden: Tony Grampsas Dog Park
Tucked away in the shadow of North Table Mountain, Tony Grampsas Dog Park feels like a hidden gem. This 2.5-acre oasis boasts lush greenery, winding trails, and a secluded wooded area, perfect for adventurous pups. While your furry friend explores, relax at a picnic table and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. To find this dog-friendly retreat, head past the baseball fields at Tony Grampsas Memorial Sports Complex. The park is free and open from sunrise to sunset. But be prepared for muddy conditions after rain or snow.
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Aurora: Cherry Creek Dog Off-Leash Area
Is your pup a water enthusiast? Then look no further than the 107-acre off-leash dog park at Cherry Creek State Park. This expansive area offers direct access to the creek, perfect for splashing and cooling off. With varied terrain and trails to explore, there’s something for every dog. While this park is a canine dream, be prepared for crowds and fees. There’s a $9 park entry fee, plus a $2 fee for the off-leash area (or a $20 annual pass), and a 3-dog limit per handler. Once inside, you can leash up your pup and enjoy the surrounding trails and wildlife. Open from 5 AM to 10 PM, this park is a very popular spot, so plan accordingly.
Castle Pines: Glendale Farms Dog Park
Glendale Farms in Castle Pines is a dog lover’s dream! With a spacious 17-acre off-leash area and a scenic 1.6-mile leash-required loop, there’s something for every fur baby. This laid-back park is perfect for burning off energy or enjoying a leisurely stroll. Located near Sky Ridge Medical Center, it’s easily accessible from I-25. If you’re training a puppy, check out the obstacle course featuring a staircase ramp and barrel. Just remember, the park is primarily dirt, so it can get muddy when it rains. Glendale Farms is open one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset, and it’s completely free!
Lakewood: Forsberg Park
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Looking for a place to let your pup burn off energy? Forsberg Park in Lakewood is a great option. This 2.5-acre park offers two separate fenced areas, so you can choose the perfect space for your dog. Enjoy stunning views of Green Mountain and Red Rocks Amphitheatre while your fur baby plays. There’s even a small obstacle course to keep them entertained. While there’s a drinking fountain for dogs, it’s best to bring your own water during winter as the fountain is shut off. Open from 5 AM to 10 PM and completely free, Forsberg Park is a local favorite.
Littleton: Chatfield State Park Off-Leash Dog Area
Your pup will love exploring the wide-open spaces and refreshing ponds at Chatfield State Park’s off-leash area. With 69 acres of both gravel and paved trails, your dog can run and play to their heart’s content. If you’re a bird dog enthusiast, there are also 16 acres of upland terrain and eight acres of flatwater for training, though a special permit is required. While there’s an $8 fee to enter the park (plus a $2 fee for the off-leash area (or a $20 annual pass)), you’ll enjoy a well-maintained environment. Remember, only three dogs per handler are allowed.
Westminster: Westminster Hills Off-Leash Dog Park
Located at the corner of 105th Avenue and Simms Street, Westminster Hills Off-Leash Dog Park offers a sprawling 420-acre space for your pup to roam freely. This peaceful retreat, part of the 15,000-acre Colorado Hills Open Space, provides ample room for fetch, leisurely walks, and even a refreshing dip in the small pond. While the park offers benches, a shade shelter, and a dog drinking fountain, it’s important to note that the fencing is partial, so a lead and/or voice commands are essential. Be prepared for crowds, especially around 5 PM. Open from sunrise to sunset, this park is a free haven for dogs and their owners.
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Ready to hit the dog park with your best friend?
Dog parks are a fantastic way to socialize your pup and let them burn off energy. But even with the best precautions, accidents can happen. A sudden tumble, a playful scuffle, or an unexpected illness can quickly turn a fun day into a stressful one. That’s why pet insurance is so important. It provides peace of mind knowing you can focus on your pet’s recovery without worrying about overwhelming vet bills. Pet Insurance Review can help you find the perfect plan to protect your furry friend. Get a free quote today and ensure your fur baby is covered for life’s unexpected twists and turns.
On Sunday, fans will be treated to a head-to-head contest between two rapidly emerging offensive powerhouses, both of whom are bonafide Rookie of the Year contenders. Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers found new homes with consecutive picks during last April’s NFL draft, and since then, they’ve performed exceptionally well in the pro ranks.
Nix is firmly on the radar of Raiders head coach Antonio Piece, but that’s even more true after yet another award-winning performance last week.
“He was a winner as a freshman. He was a winner as a six-year player,” Pierce noted of Nix. “All he does is win, come in the league. Won the quarterback battle there in Denver. Maybe they were keeping them tight on the leash early on, and now they’re not. He has full control that offense. You can see that Sean Payton gives him opportunities to audible and make some adjustments. He’s making throws, he’s running with his legs, he’s taking care of the football, and he’s winning. That’s all you can ask for from a rookie.”
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Nix presents a clear and present danger to the Raiders’ chances of squeezing out what would be only their third win of their massively disappointing season. Stopping the impressive rookie is proving to be another matter entirely for NFL defenses, especially one with a badly beaten-up roster like the Raiders.
“This is crazy,” Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo said via ESPN‘s Paul Gutierrez. “I’ve never seen this amount of injuries on any team I’ve been on.”
This week, Broncos head coach Sean Payton has pumped the brakes a little on the burgeoning hype exploding around Nix. That being said, you get the distinct feeling that Payton is more than comfortable unleashing Nix’s full array of talents at his disposal. Confidence is growing in Nix, and that’s been reflected in how Payton has opened up the playbook for his first-year signal-caller.
The juices are flowing, and Payton may have found an answer in dynamic second-year receiver Marvin Mims Jr. The mystical “joker” role within the Broncos offense seems to have been filled.
“I think we always gotta be saying, ‘Hey, are we doing everything we can to highlight his strengths?’ And so, yeah, I don’t know if he’s got the ‘joker’ tattoo, but he might be invited to the club,” Payton said via Andrew Mason.
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When push comes to shove, if Nix plays lights out again, an easy win might come Denver’s way, but stopping Bowers would also ensure the victory and help in the race for Rookie of the Year honors. Payton is already on high alert, but it was also tinged with a bit of football envy when he illustrated Bowers’ “joker” abilities.
“Someone had a really good vision for him and you see all the ‘Joker’ traits, means and change of direction,” Payton said of Bowers. “It can’t be a little. It’s a high-end receiving trait and he can move, he can be outside and he can run a route tree maybe different than most tight ends.”
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New York Knicks (9-7, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (9-6, fifth in the Western Conference)
Denver; Monday, 9 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets host the New York Knicks in a non-conference matchup.
The Nuggets have gone 5-3 at home. Denver ranks sixth in the Western Conference with 12.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Jokic averaging 4.4.
The Knicks are 4-5 in road games. New York ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference allowing only 112.4 points while holding opponents to 47.3% shooting.
The Nuggets are shooting 47.8% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points higher than the 47.3% the Knicks allow to opponents. The Knicks average 14.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.2 more made shots on average than the 13.1 per game the Nuggets allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Michael Porter Jr. is averaging 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds for the Nuggets.
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Jalen Brunson is averaging 25.1 points and 7.4 assists for the Knicks.
LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 7-3, averaging 118.4 points, 45.5 rebounds, 31.6 assists, 8.7 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.7 points per game.
Knicks: 6-4, averaging 120.3 points, 42.9 rebounds, 29.9 assists, 6.7 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.5 points.
INJURIES: Nuggets: Aaron Gordon: out (calf), DaRon Holmes II: out for season (achilles), Vlatko Cancar: out (knee).
Knicks: Precious Achiuwa: out (hamstring), Miles McBride: day to day (knee), Mitchell Robinson: out (ankle).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Could the Brooklyn Nets’ No. 1 scoring option team up with a two-time league MVP?
According to Paul Pierce, it’s possible.
On a recent episode of “Ticket & The Truth,” the former Boston Celtics star suggested a move from Brooklyn to the Denver Nuggets for Cam Thomas to provide the 2023 NBA Champions with a depth boost.
“Alright, let me put my GM hat on,” Pierce said. “I think right now, for Cam, I’d like to see him off the bench for Denver. …Because they need that spark plug off the bench.”
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He may want to take that hat off.
The Nuggets do not have an asset they’d be willing to part ways with that would entice the Nets enough to move off of a 23-year-old who’s turning in over 24 points per game. And even if Denver were to offer a king’s ransom of draft capital, as long as Nikola Jokic is healthy a Nuggets’ choice will never hold much value.
Oct 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets small guard Cam Thomas (24) shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
When reports suggested Thomas could be available in negotiations, they didn’t mean Brooklyn was looking to give him away. The return would have to warrant the transaction, and a hypothetical package consisting of Christian Braun and two first-round picks (no offense Christian) won’t be enough to entice Sean Marks.
The Nets shouldn’t look to move Thomas until a can’t-say-no deal emerges. Until then, let him continue to drop nearly 25 a night on the opposition and revisit any potential thoughts of trading the electrifying scorer at February’s deadline.
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