Denver, CO

Unleash the Fun: 7 Best Dog Parks in the Denver Metro Area – 303 Magazine

Published

1 year ago

October 9, 2024

Unleash the Fun: 7 Best Dog Parks in the Denver Metro Area – 303 Magazine

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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Denver, CO

Purple Row After Dark: Is Denver the best sports town in the US?

Published

7 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Purple Row After Dark: Is Denver the best sports town in the US?

In case you missed it, the Denver Summit — the Mile High City’s new NWSL team — made quite a debut today:

The game ended on a 0-0 draw, but what a great day for Denver sports.

And that raises an interesting question: Is Denver the best sports town in the United States?

The sooner the Mile High City gets a WNBA team, the better.

Me, I think you can’t beat Denver for sports. But I’m willing to entertain other perspectives. Let us know in the comments!

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Denver, CO

Every Opening and Closing This Week: Six Spots Debuted

Published

19 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Every Opening and Closing This Week: Six Spots Debuted

Paperboy has opened its first location outside of Texas.

Paperboy

Denver is a city that loves to brunch and now, one of Austin’s top daytime spots has opened a location in the West Highland neighborhood. Paperboy’s third outpost is its first outside of its home state of Texas. The concept, which founder Rynan Harms started in a food trailer, has taken over the former home of Rooted Craft American Kitchen (and FNG before that).

“We love this neighborhood because it’s still close to downtown but has its own unique and relaxed vibe,” says Robert Brown, Harms’ longtime business partner, who has lived in Denver for nearly a decade. “People know their neighbors, they show up to community events, they’re invested in this place in a way that feels increasingly rare. That sense of connection is something Paperboy has always tried to foster, and we’re honored to be a part of it here in Denver.”

The menu includes staples such as the chicken and biscuit drizzled with spicy honey; Texas Hash with roasted pork, sweet potato, onion, kale, poached egg and pecan mole; and the Paperboy Pancake, described as “a cake-forward cornmeal pancake that still manages to be impossibly fluffy.”

martini on a table in front of a bar — FiNO’s martini is made with pickled tomato water.

Also now open is FiNO, the restaurant inside the revamped All Inn Hotel on East Colfax. We enjoyed our first meal there; if you’re planning to visit, don’t miss the signature martini, the Medi Nachos and the caper-studded charred cabbage.

On East Sixth Avenue, the powerhouse duo behind the city’s best new barbecue restaurant, Riot BBQ, has debuted Chicken Riot in the former Truffle Cheese Shop space. Meanwhile, the former Whiskey Biscuit in Englewood is now the Barn, a neighborhood eatery from a pair of longtime hospitality pros, including former Brider chef Chase Devitt.

Taqueria Los Gallitos has expanded once again, adding an eighth location in the former Taco John’s near the shuttered Denver Merchandise Mart.

And just in time for the Rockies home opener on Friday, April 3, McGregor Square has opened its revamped food hall. The former Milepost Zero moniker is out. Now, the space is dubbed McGregor Square Food & Drink and includes six food stalls from local eateries: Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta, C Burger, G-Que BBQ, High Point Creamery, TaCo! and Tora Ramen.

There’s just one closure to report this week: Ballyhoo Table & Stage, which actually shuttered last month after an eviction notice was posted.

In other openings and closings news:

chicken club sandwich — A chicken club is one of the sandwiches on off at the Barn.

Here’s the complete list of restaurants and bars that opened and closed this week*:

Openings

The Barn South Broadway, 3299 South Broadway, Englewood
Chicken Riot, 2906 East Sixth Avenue
FiNO, 3015 East Colfax Avenue
McGregor Square Food & Drink, 1601 19th Street
Paperboy, 3940 West 32nd Avenue
Taqueria Los Gallitos, 5810 Logan Street

Closures

Ballyhoo Table & Stage, 3300 Tejon Street

*Or earlier and not previously reported.

Know of something we missed? Email cafe@westword.com.

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Denver, CO

Preview: Spirit Prepares for First Match Against Denver Summit FC, Another Record Crowd

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Preview: Spirit Prepares for First Match Against Denver Summit FC, Another Record Crowd

Denver, Colo. (03/27/2026) – In front of another expected record-breaking crowd, the Washington Spirit is set to take on Denver Summit FC in the side’s inaugural home match at Empower Field at Mile High. With over 60,000 tickets already distributed, the match is poised to break the NWSL attendance record of 40,091 set last summer when the Spirit visited Bay FC at San Francisco’s Oracle Park. Kicking off at 2 p.m. EDT, the match will broadcast nationally on CBS.

The Spirit

Washington comes into this weekend’s fixture off a difficult 1-1 home draw with Utah Royals FC earlier this week. After scoring in the 18th minute, the Spirit nearly earned its first victory of 2026 but conceded an equalizer late and had to settle for a single point on the table. Washington’s goal was scored by midfielder Rebeca Bernal, the Mexican star’s first since transferring to the NWSL last year.

Saturday afternoon’s match will mark the first-ever meeting between the Spirit, one of the NWSL’s original clubs, and 2026 expansion side Denver Summit FC. Denver will be the 17th different opponent for Washington across its regular season history: the Spirit has played against 13 active clubs (all except expansion sides Denver and Boston) as well as defunct clubs the Boston Breakers, FC Kansas City and the Western New York Flash.

The Spirit has had success against expansion sides as of late, tallying 11 wins in 15 matches against NWSL clubs in their first season of competition since the start of the 2021 campaign. In 2024, the Spirit went a perfect 5-0-0 against Bay FC and Utah Royals FC, outscoring the teams 10-3 with a playoff win to boot. In 2022, Washington earned a 1-3-0 record against Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC and, in 2021, the eventual NWSL champions went an impressive 5-1-0 against Kansas City and Racing Louisville FC.

This weekend’s matchup at Empower Field at Mile High, home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, is set to shatter the NWSL’s single match attendance record with over 60,000 tickets already distributed. The Spirit has also been the visiting team for two of the league’s previous three record-setting attendances: 34,130 fans at Seattle’s Lumen Field when the Spirit took on the Reign and 40,091 in the stands at San Francisco’s historic Oracle Park to watch Washington play Bay FC.

Washington is in good standing in several attacking categories through three matches despite two draws and a loss. The Spirit remains first in the league in rate of possession at nearly 62% and top three in both shots and shots on target with 49 and 17, respectively. With just three goals through three matches, look for the Spirit attack to continue getting attempts on frame this weekend.

Following Saturday’s match, the Spirit will hit the road again next weekend for an away match against Bay FC in San Jose on Sunday, April 5. Washington’s next home match will be on Friday, April 24 at 8 p.m. EDT when the side hosts the defending Shield winner Kansas City Current at Audi Field. Information on tickets can be found HERE.

The Opponent

Denver Summit FC opened its inaugural season with three straight away matches, collecting a win, a loss and a draw to carry four points into its home opener this weekend. Summit FC dropped its first match to Bay FC 1-2 before drawing Orlando 1-1 and beating Gotham 2-0.

Summit FC is led in scoring by star German forward Melissa Kössler who has three goals in three matches, scoring once in each contest. With a goal tomorrow, the forward would join Alex Morgan as just the second player in league history to score in each of her first four matches with a club. Look for the Spirit defending third to place an emphasis on limiting chances to Kössler on Saturday afternoon.

Denver has only allowed one goal across its last 240 minutes of action after giving up two in the first 30 minutes of the side’s opener. The strong recent form of Summit FC’s defending third against the Spirit attacking third’s ability to generate chance after chance will be a point to watch this weekend.

Three former Spirit players are currently on the Summit FC roster as midfielders Meg Boade and Jordan Baggett and defender Camryn Biegalski signed with the side ahead of this season. Baggett spent four years with the Spirit after being drafted by the side in 2019 while Biegalski signed with Washington in 2021 and played three seasons, both winning the 2021 NWSL Championship with the team. Boade spent the first half of the 2025 season in DC as a short-term injury replacement, even scoring a goal for the Spirit.

Following tomorrow’s match, Denver will travel to Seattle to face Reign FC on Saturday, April 4.

All-Time Series History

This weekend’s match will be the first-ever meeting between the Spirit and Denver Summit FC.

About The Washington Spirit

The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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