Chatfield and Cherry Creek State Park Off Leash Area Update
Effective January 1, 2011, each household will need either a $20 annual pass or a $2 daily pass to use the off leash areas at Chatfield and Cherry Creek State Parks. Passes will allow the holder to bring up to 3 dogs into the off leash area. Annual passes and daily passes will be available when the ranger station at the park entrances are open (usually 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM every day). Annual passes will be valid for one year and will expire on the last day of the month one year after issuance. There will be self service stations at the off leash areas for daily passes when the park entrances are unmanned. Off leash users must wear their passes where they will be visible to rangers.
Fencing of the areas is anticipated to begin in the spring. Final management plans for the area have not been posted on the website, but can be accessed at in the Board package for the November State Park Board meeting on the Colorado State Parks website.
You should anticipate an increased ranger presence at the off leash areas as the Park Staff tries to enforce the new fees. Last weekend rangers were ticketing cars without annual Park passes. Please note that the annual State Park Entrance Pass fee has increased to $70 for the 1st pass and $35 for additional passes for vehicles registered to the same owners.