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They say your perspective on life changes forever when you have children. I don’t have any human babies of my own, so I can’t verify that claim. But I know my world certainly shifted in November when Benny, an almost-three-year-old Aussiedoodle, hopped into the back seat of my car for the first time—and immediately peed everywhere.
Since then, I’ve become a quintessential Colorado dog owner. Benny’s haircuts cost more than my own. All of my Google searches are preceded by the phrase “dog-friendly.” I have a Pinterest board of all-natural dog treat recipes. If Benny’s not invited, I’m probably not coming.
Thankfully, I’m far from the only dog devotee around here. And because this is Denver, not Dallas, we’re above spoiling our pooches with top-dollar treats and fancy toys. Instead, we want to give them epic adventures that’ll have their tails wagging in their sleep.
To that end, we’ve assembled experiences like whitewater rafting and customized canine massages, gathered practical tips about how to explore the outdoors safely with your sidekick, and rounded up plenty of other ideas for pampered poodles, sporty spaniels, and every breed in between.
Jump Ahead:
The Numbers Behind Colorado’s Dog Obsession
- 50% of Denver households have a dog
- 158,269 estimated dogs are owned in Denver
- The average Colorado pet owner spent $1,556 on their dog in 2025
- 16 off-leash dog parks are run by the City of Denver
Read More: The Best Dog Parks To Take Your Pup to in the Denver Metro Area
Most Popular Breeds in Colorado:
- Golden retriever
- Labrador retriever
- Chihuahua
Top 5 Dog Names in Denver:
- Charlie
- Luna
- Bella
- Cooper
- Milo
8 Dog-Friendly Adventures To Try in Colorado
Bow Wow Beach Doggie Day at Water World. Photo courtesy of Riverdale Animal Shelter
Send Off the Summer at Water World Bow Wow Beach Doggie Day
- Where: 8801 N. Pecos St., Federal Heights
- When: September 12, 2026
- Cost: $13 per dog; free admission for owners
Every year, Water World goes to the dogs during Bow Wow Beach Doggie Day (September 12), which benefits the Riverdale Animal Shelter. Before the park closes for the season, pool-loving pooches are invited to chase tennis balls in Turtle Bay, sunbathe at Cowabunga Beach, and splash around in the Thunder Bay Wave Pool. The event attracts nearly 900 dogs over the course of three 90-minute sessions, so your pup will have plenty of friends to frolic with.
Book Your Dog a Massage at Canine Wellness Colorado
- Where: 4322 Alcott St., Denver (Sunnyside)
- Cost: $90 for massage; $30 for Reiki
Do you know how stressful it is to carry the weight of being the entire family’s favorite on your back? Help your hound release some of that pressure with a massage and Reiki healing at Canine Wellness Colorado in Sunnyside. Certified canine massage therapist Lisa Nickens starts with a gait analysis and review of your dog’s medical history to customize a treatment. Then, over the course of an hour or so, your mutt will melt into the massage table while Nickens applies heat therapy to promote circulation, palpitates major muscles to address tight spots, and clears blocked chakras through energy movement (if you opt for the 20-minute Reiki add-on).
Go Whitewater Rafting With Colorado River Runs
Photo courtesy of Colorado River Runs
- Where: 43 CR 111, Radium
- Cost: $525 for a private trip with up to four guests and two dogs
There’s no breed too big (or too small) to ride the rapids with Colorado River Runs (CRR), a rafting outfitter in Radium that’s been running trips for more than 50 years. Every dog, from Great Danes to doxies, can experience the rush of the Colorado River right alongside their humans with the help of owner and experienced guide Joe Kelso. CRR provides each person and pup with a life jacket for the journey, so don’t fret if Fido isn’t exactly Michael Phelps with fur. Pile into an inflatable raft with your pooch and prepare for two hours of floating down gentle stretches, flying through Class II rapids, and swimming off sandy beaches.
Ride the Leadville Railroad
- Where: 326 E. 7th St., Leadville
- Cost: $66 per adult; $16 per dog
If the phrase “car ride” gets your terrier’s tail wiggling, an afternoon on the Leadville Railroad will induce a full-body wag. Book her an open-air coach seat on one of the railroad’s 2.5-hour scenic summer trips through the San Isabel National Forest or wait until late September to see the hillsides painted with fall color.
Clink Glasses at Grand Hyatt Vail Yappy Hour
- Where: 1300 Westhaven Drive, Vail
- When: Thursdays in summer at 4:30 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission
Put those new manners into practice at Grand Hyatt Vail’s Yappy Hour, which takes place every Thursday during the summer at 4:30 p.m. Post up by the pool on the Gore Creek Terrace and raise a toast to your best boy. He can sip a Barktini ($10, made with beef bone broth and carrot swizzle) while you down a frozen Summer Glow ($21; Patron Silver, Chinola, Aperol, and prosecco). In addition to scoring a free collapsible water bowl and bandana, your drinking buddy can nibble on ice-cold treats infused with fresh fruit and entrées like a Beef & Tater bowl topped with two kinds of potatoes, carrots, green beans, peas, and apples. Oh, waiter! He’ll have another.
Go Off-Roading in the Royal Gorge With Colorado Jeep Tours
- Where: 50905 West U.S. Highway 50, Cañon City
- Cost: Half-day tours start at $169 for adults, $149 for kids; lap dogs ride free while large dogs that require a seat start at $149
Rev up your Sunday drive routine by renting a 4×4 from Colorado Jeep Tours and cruising through the red spires of the Royal Gorge Region. Opt for the full-day excursion and you’ll get to see dinosaur bones at the Cleveland Quarry (sorry, not that kind of bones, buddy), Overlook Arch at Red Canyon Park, and American Indian petroglyphs along the way. If that joyride doesn’t satiate all the adrenaline junkies in the family, finish the day off by walking across the Royal Gorge Bridge (admission included with every full-day tour), America’s highest suspension bridge. Hovering 956 feet over the Arkansas River, this attraction might feel better suited for birds than boxers, but canines are welcome to cross with their human companions—they just may need a treat to coax them to the other side.
Ride the Telluride Gondola
Photo by Brett Schreckengost and Josh King
If your sidekick prefers the slow and scenic route, this easygoing ride in the charming mountain town of Telluride provides adventure without the adrenaline. Gliding above the lodgepole pines at a leisurely 11 mph, the gondola takes visitors from Telluride to Mountain Village in 12 vista-filled minutes. Pet-friendly cabins are indicated by a set of paws on the outside. Take in swaths of the San Juan Mountains and shimmering waterfalls as you climb to 10,500 feet; riders have claimed to see Utah’s La Sal Range on a cloudless day.
Send Your Pup on a Group Outing With Hike Doggie
Even the bougiest of bichons needs to stretch their legs. But if you’re too busy drowning in slide decks to take your dog on an outdoor adventure, let Hike Doggie do it for you. The Denver-based company will scoop up Scout from your doorstep in a big blue bus, drive the pack to a nearby trailhead, and spend a few hours letting them romp around in the wilderness. Canines are grouped by temperament and speed, so your dachshund won’t be struggling to keep up with the Dobermans. After a post-hike snack of beef lung treats, your sleepy pup will be delivered back to your home—freshly bathed.
3 Dog-Friendly Events To Put on Your Calendar
Photo courtesy of the Colorado Rapids
Bark at the Park with the Colorado Rapids (September 12, 2026)
Rover may not have been welcome at the World Cup, but he’ll get the star treatment when the Colorado Rapids face off against CF Montréal. A $15 dog ticket plus a $30 human ticket secure you both spots in one of the north corners—and a free Rapids bandana for your best bud.
Bark at the Park Night with the Colorado Rockies (September 22 and 23, 2026)
Every year, the Rox invite four-legged baseball fans ages four months and up to catch a game at Coors Field. A ticket ($7 for dogs, $37 to $53 for humans) comes with seats in the “dog zone,” a chance to strut your stuff in the pregame parade, and a goodie bag. The event has attracted more than 1,800 doggos in the past, so the ballpark is best for social pups that are up to date on their vaccinations. Maybe all that fetch practice will pay off when a homer heads your way.
GoPro Mountain Games (June 10 to 13, 2027)
At the annual GoPro Mountain Games in Vail, dogs go paw to paw in dock-jumping disciplines like big air, speed retrieve, and extreme vertical. Register your bouncy boy to compete, or if your pupper prefers a long nap over a long jump, you’re both welcome to spectate for free. Who knows? He might leave with a sibling from the adoption tent.
4 Dog Training Classes To Try in Colorado
Photo by Howling Moon Media, courtesy of Canine Athletics Training Center
Whether you’re training an aspiring show dog or just want your Lab to stop chewing the couch, the Canine Athletics Training Center in Longmont can give your pet skills that last a lifetime. Not sure which class your companion will like best? We asked owner Kirsten Belinsky to break down the offerings (starting at $270 per six-week session).
Scent Work
What: For this easy-to-practice-at-home discipline, dogs learn to locate treats or specific odors using their sense of smell. This is the most entry-level sport, according to Belinsky.
Best for: “Scent work is really good for dogs who need to build confidence, because they have to do the work independently,” Belinsky says, adding that it’s great for breeds that need lots of mental stimulation. Since canines work in the space one at a time, it’s also a good option for pups that don’t play well with others.
Canine Fitness
What: Taught by Belinsky, a certified canine strength and conditioning coach, this resembles a circuit workout class. Pups rotate through stations to practice different movements, like balancing their front paws on an exercise ball.
Best for: If you want to bring your dog along on your Colorado adventures (think: hiking fourteeners or trail running), this class can help them build muscle, increase proprioception—their awareness of where their limbs are in space—prevent injuries, and gain confidence around other dogs.
Rally
What: In this activity, humans lead their dogs (beginners start on-leash) through a series of stations with signs displaying specific commands like sit and down. The course is timed, but precision is the priority.
Best for: “It’s great for dogs who already pay a lot of attention to the owner,” Belinsky says. “But it’s also really good for people who want to build that in their dogs.” Owners often find rally to be a less intimidating alternative to agility.
Agility
What: Handlers lead their dogs off-leash through a timed course consisting of jumps, tunnels, and tricks in this fast-paced sport.
Best for: The humans are just as important as the hounds when it comes to agility. You’ll need good body awareness and a strong commitment to training, Belinsky says. Agility works best with dogs that are highly food- and treat-motivated.
How To Spend the Perfect Day in Denver With Your Dog
Gina Betters and Charley. Photo courtesy of Tails of Voyage Photography
When Gina Betters moved to Denver in 2021, she was eager to explore her new home with her best friend, Charley, by her side. The only caveat? Charley has four legs and a wet snoot. After scouring social media for dog-friendly spots and coming up dry, Betters and her golden retriever set out to explore the Centennial State on their own—and document it on Instagram via @denverdogguide, which now has more than 131,000 followers. She’s also recently added a new member to her pack: one-year-old pitbull mix Milly.
We asked Betters to craft her dream day for Denverites and their doggos.
Moonflower Coffee
9 a.m.: You’re going to need some caffeine to keep up with your canine, so grab an ube latte and a Blackbox pastry from Moonflower Coffee in West Colfax. “I like how big the patio is,” Betters says. “You can really space out.”
Highlands Farmers Market
10 a.m.: On Sundays, head to the Highlands Farmers Market for local produce, fresh flowers, and artisan goods. Not only is this one of the few dog-friendly farmers’ markets in town, but homemade dog treat vendor Snuggles Snacks sets up a kiddie pool filled with ice for dogs to take a dip in on sweltering summer days.
Photo courtesy of Gina Betters
Chatfield State Park’s Off-Leash Dog Area
11:30 a.m.: The 69 acres of open space at Chatfield State Park’s Off-Leash Dog Area are worth the 40-minute drive to Littleton. To access the sprawling, fully fenced park with miles of hiking trails and two ponds for water-loving pups to swim in, you’ll need a daily vehicle pass ($12 to $17) and an off-leash day pass ($3).
Rosie’s Ice Cream
2 p.m.: It’s time for a sweet T-R-E-A-T. On your way back to Denver, swing by Rosie’s Ice Cream on South Pearl Street for an Oreo scoop and a Dogsters ice cream cup for your pup. (You may even be lucky enough to meet Rosie, the owner’s spunky French bulldog.)
Edgewater Beer Garden
5 p.m.: Finish your day with a frosé and a smashburger on Edgewater Beer Garden’s 4,500-square-foot patio—but first, pop into Good Boy Jack’s pet store across the street to rinse off your dog in the self-wash station and pick up a frozen bone marrow treat so you both have something to grub on.
How To Take Better Photos of Your Dog
Photo by Wag Your Tail Photography
1. Aim to hike early in the morning or later in the afternoon for soft, flattering light, says Christina Cookson, the owner of Wag Your Tail Photography. This limits squinting and sweat. If your goal is to snap a Christmas-card-worthy photo, skip the super popular spots and opt for a quieter trail to reduce distractions for your dog and strangers in your frame.
2. Avoid taking photos of your dog from a standing position. Instead, squat, sit, or lie down to get on your animal’s level, Cookson says. To give the photo more drama, take a few steps back; you’ll also get more of the scenery.
3. Bring treats and toys for props—and to get your canine’s attention. Don’t have Bowser’s favorite squeaky stuffed animal? Cookson says to do your best impression. The higher your pitch, the more likely you are to get that coveted head tilt. A favorite word, like “walk” or “treat,” works too.
4. Use your phone’s Burst Mode, which takes several photos in rapid succession, to capture action shots. Calling your dog to you, playing fetch, or tugging on a toy can all elicit epic images.
5. Don’t try to force your dog to sit still the whole time. “What I find is that the best photos come in between moments where people are trying to get that perfect photo,” Cookson says. Embrace the candid scenes, like your pupper looking out across the mountains or splashing in a stream.
This article was originally published in 5280 August/September 2026.
