The debate over dogs in local state parks

DENVER - Dog owners who use Chatfield State Park or Cherry Creek State Park are worried that their pups won't be able to play there for long. Owners are worried that Colorado State Parks officials will ban dog walkers from the area. A spokesperson for Colorado State Parks says that's not the case.

"There is no plan to close dog training areas to owners at this time," said Deb Frazier. "We're still listening to what people have to say."

Frazier refers to the area as a dog training area because that was the original intended use for the Cherry Creek dog area, designated in 1971, and Chatfield dog area, designated in the early 1990s.

"They were used for [training dogs in] water fowl hunting and pheasant hunting," she said.

Over the years, as more dog owners used the land to let their dogs walk and play off-leash, Colorado State Parks officials say problems arose in balancing the facility between dog trainers and recreational dog owners.

They also say roughly 25,000 people use each park, every year. The large number of people and dogs has lead to damage of the vegetation. According to one study, low vegetation and bare ground is more common in high intensity use areas of both parks, including the water play area.

The study also sites a decrease in indigenous birds and small mammals that once used the parks due to what it calls "chasing, trampling, killing, transmitting disease organisms and reducing vegetation cover."

A letter from the Natural Resources Conservation Service addressed the possibility of fencing certain vegetation.

Dog owners in Chatfield State Park say their animals are well-behaved. One dog owner, who was collecting signatures for a petition, added the notion that passes that are sold to dog owners wishing to use the area bring in a lot of money for the park.

"They're part of our family," said Deanne Callejo, who brings her dogs to the park about three times a week.

A friend told her about the plan proposing changes at the park. She says that it's a great place for her dogs, and she doesn't believe the park will be closed off to dog owners

"I think we can all work together," she said. "We're all animal lovers."

Callejo plans to attend a public comment meeting, which will be held next week, to voice her opinion. All dog owners who use the parks are encouraged to attend and give their input.

The meeting concerning Cherry Creek State Park will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cherry Creek High School on Monday, July 27th. The meeting concerning Chatfield State Park will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitors Center. For addresses, directions and additional information, go to the park's Web site: www.colorado.gov/parks.

Officials are also seeking comment via e-mail. Dog owners can send their suggestions to dogtrainingarea.process@state.co.us.