Sharing the Trail with Cattle

Cattle have always been our neighbors in the open spaces surrounding Superior. Boulder County leases approximately 5,000 acres of land to ranchers helping to promote sustainable agriculture. This land is also home to some of our finest open space and is shared by trail users.

Superior and Boulder County have recently received reports of aggressive cows with calves on the trails west/northwest of the Coalton Trailhead. Boulder County has installed signage and has added additional ranger and staff patrols to the area in order to monitor the activity and provide information to trail users on how to safely navigate the trail when shared with cattle. Fence lines are also being checked to identify possible weak spots where cows may be getting out. Finally, cattle are being moved away from the trail as much as possible and their water source has been relocated further away from the trails to discourage them from unnecessarily lingering along the trail corridor.

Here’s how trail users can help to avoid unsafe encounters with cattle:

• Keep pets on a leash and under control to protect yourself, your pets, and the livestock.
• Don’t startle cattle. Avoid any behavior that may provoke them. Do not touch them. Do not walk between a mother and its calf. Do not let your pets chase or harass the livestock.
• Give cattle plenty of space, especially those with calves. If you see a stray calf, leave it alone. The cow is often feeding or watering nearby and will return.
• Always be aware of your surroundings while out on the trail.
• Turn around or find another legal route if the cattle are blocking the trail and you do not feel safe passing them.

Photo credit Amanda Bergeson