Care For Colorado Leave No Trace

Care For Colorado & Recreate Responsibly

Are you Colo-Ready? Colorado’s natural beauty requires visitor assistance.

As part of the Care for Colorado Coalition e encourage you to join forces with the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) and the Leave No Trace to share the Care for Colorado principals educating visitors and residents on how to travel responsibly.

Our state and federal agencies manage 42% of Colorado’s majestic landscape, and our cities and counties maintain even more. Learn about and respect the spaces we all own, share and sing about.

‘Are You Colo-Ready?’ Brochure: The Traveler Safety Edition
Leave No Trace- Care for Colorado Principles

Principles Expanded

01. Know Before You Go

Our state & federal agencies manage 42% of Colorado’s majestic landscape, & our cities & counties maintain even more. Learn about & respect the spaces we all share.
Stay back from the pack. Find your way to less-visited and off-peak destinations to minimize downtime & maximize your connection with special places.
Bring along reusable water bottles or hot drink tumblers to limit waste and stay hydrated in our dry climate.

02. Stick to Trails

With 39,000 marked trails & 13,000 designated campsites, there’s no need to venture beyond. By sticking to these areas & camping at least 200 feet from lakes, rivers & streams, you’re helping natural areas stay natural.
Even though shortcuts can be tempting, please don’t take them. A few extra strides on the path will protect plants & the homes of the true locals.

03. Leave It As You Found It

Leave plants, rocks & historical items as you find them so others experience the joy of discovery.
Any of our 750 different species of wildflowers will live forever in a photo. Snap away, but only with a camera.
Colorado is beautiful all on its own. Building structures or campsites on public land isn’t cool. Keep it pristine for everyone to enjoy.
Treat all living things with respect. Carving or hacking plants & trees may kill or disfigure them.

04. Trash the Trash

Pack it in, pack it out. Or pick it up to leave a place better than you found it. Put litter, even crumbs, peels, and cores in your nearest waste/recycling bin.
Wash yourself, your dog, or whatever else needs cleaning at least 200 feet from waterways, & use biodegradable soap. A bubble bath is no treatment for fish.
If you have to poo, walk at least 70 steps from trails, water & people. Dig a cat hole 6 inches deep, do your thing in the hole, cover it and pack out your TP. Or, use a wag bag (a disposable bag found in most outdoor stores) so you can pack out your waste

05. Be Careful with Fire

Colorado’s low humidity has perks but can create dry, dangerous conditions. Keep campfires small & manageable to avoid sparking wildfires.
When putting out a fire, water it until you can handle the embers. Never let a fire burn unattended.
Use care when smoking in Colorado’s dry climate. Always put cigarettes out completely, & don’t leave your butts behind.
Always check for local fire restrictions.

06. Keep Wildlife Wild

Colorado is home to tens of thousands of furry, scaly & feathered creatures. To keep them – & you – safe, don’t approach them.
It is not adorable to feed wild animals. You could alter natural behaviors, exposing them to predators, or even euthanasia.
Keep your furry buddies leashed when enjoying dog-friendly trails, & pack out their waste. All the way to a trashcan.

07. Share Our Trails & Parks

Chances are you’re not out in nature to people watch, so try out the lesser-known paths and sites.
Silence your cell phone before stepping into nature, & speak softly without using the speaker function.
Be considerate when passing others on the trails and yield to the uphill hiker and biker – they need the momentum.
Listen to nature. Keep your voice and music soft so all can enjoy the peace of Colorado.