City council members voted unanimously to permanently designate three off-leash dog trails in Steamboat Springs this week after Parks and Recreation commissioners recommended a trial-period for the areas come to a close.

The three trail areas — Sailors Way Trail, Butcherknife Trail and Whistler Park — had been designated as trial off-leash areas since 2017.

As a result of the vote, Steamboat will now have five permanent off-leash trail areas, with the three trail areas joining Rita Valentine Park and the lower pond area of Spring Creek Park.

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Steamboat Digs Dogs, a coalition of community members that advocates for off-leash dog areas, partnered with Parks and Recreation and the Steamboat Springs Police Department for a one-year off-leash program in 2017, according to a city council agenda summary sheet.

That 2017 off-leash trial period also included Blackmer Trail, which was later removed due to wildlife conflicts.

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In 2018, the off-leash trial period was extended another two years with the addition of improvements including additional signage, biodegradable dog waste bags and dispensers and dog waste clean-up operations performed throughout the year.

Steamboat Digs Dogs also strengthened communications with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to mitigate conflicts with wildlife in the off-leash areas.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Commission later discussed the trial period in 2022 and 2023, and once again extended the period for another two years.

Addressing City Council members at their meeting Tuesday, Steamboat Deputy Director of Land Management Stephanie Munro provided a timeline for the off-leash trial periods.

According to Munro, the council previously directed Steamboat police to increase patrols around the three trail areas and encouraged consistent enforcement. Patrol officers are also required to report on dog bite-related incidents every six months.

In addition to increased patrols, council also required dogs be leashed during school drop-off and pick-up times from Aug. 15 to June 15 from 7:30-8:30 a.m. and 3-4:30 p.m.

Munro recommended council repeal all conflicting ordinances and direct the police department to further increase patrols in off-leash areas and continue with their six-month dog bite reports.

According to the agenda summary sheet, the installation of signs as well as “educational efforts” will be funded through the city’s “annual budget process,” but an increase in police patrols is “challenging with existing budgets and resources.”

The agenda summary sheet also stated the city collects a $20 fee on all animal code violations that are used for dog park improvements, adding that about $26,000 is currently available for these improvements.

According to Steamboat Digs Dogs President Kathy Connell, the Steamboat Springs School District has voiced support to designate the three trail areas as off-leash dog parks, noting that Superintendent Celine Wicks encourages the additional police presence.

“Steamboat’s identity is Dogtown USA as a trademark. That resonates with locals and visitors alike. Maintaining off-leash areas like Butcherknife is vital to staying true to the culture that we proudly promote,” said local resident Kelly Phillips, addressing the council. “Rather than eliminating this designation, I urge the city to continue focusing on current rules and educating the community about responsible dog ownership.”

Parks and Recreation Commissioner Sam Rush added that she would like to see communications between Steamboat Digs Dogs and local law enforcement strengthened, then noted the Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously voted to bring the vote to council members.

“The community definitely responded that they loved these areas,” said Munro. “We understand this is a balance of services that we can provide and maintain. We have to be watchful and be good stewards to that.”