S T E A M B O AT
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JULY 10, 2009
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
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Vol. 21, No. 164
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Explore: Your guide to weekend entertainment Page 19
SPORTS
JOHN F. RUSSELL/STAFF
Susy Demusis, right, and Giovanni Demusis walk their dog, Fife, along the Yampa River Core Trail on Monday afternoon. The city has expanded off-leash regulations to allow dogs to play unleashed at Rita Valentine Park and Lower Spring Creek Pond from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
Cowpie is Saturday Page 43
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Off-leash rules expand
Community divided on further liberalizing of dog laws Brandon Gee
PILOT & TODAY STAFF
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
The city has expanded a program that allows dogs to be off-leash in two city parks, but some proponents are pushing for an even more relaxed approach to dog regulations in Steamboat Springs. The Steamboat Springs Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to allow dogs to play off-leash at
■ LOTTO Thursday night’s Cash 5 numbers: 5-7-11-13-26 Drawings are held Monday through Saturday.
Rita Valentine Park and Lower Spring Creek Pond from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. The move follows a pilot program that allowed dogs offleash at the parks only during certain hours on designated days. Open Space Supervisor Craig Robinson said there were no incidents or complaints about dogs being off-leash in the parks throughout the pilot program. “I think it’s fantastic. It took about two years, but we got what
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Afternoon storm. High of 78.
Page 31
we were after,” Frank Cefaratti, leader of the Responsible Dog Ownership Group of Steamboat, said about the expansion of off-leash opportunities. “It’s long overdue.” There have been no changes to the city’s leash laws elsewhere in the city. “Everywhere else in town, beside these two areas, the leash law remains in effect,” Robinson said. “And at all times and in all areas, dog owners are required to pick up and
dispose of the dogs’ waste.” RDOGS and others now are hoping to see the city further liberalize its dog regulations to allow well-behaved dogs off their leashes even more. “Steamboat deserves to be dog-friendly and people-friendly,” said local photographer Joseph Cosby, who said he gathered more than 250 signatures in less than five hours from dog owners who said they would See Leash laws, page 12
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