Leave No Trace: Colorado's Guide to Keeping the Trails Clean, Safe and Fun

Believe it or not, there's a lot that you can do as a hiker to improve the experiences of future hikers and the well-being of wildlife and plants that you enjoy on your adventures. A set of guidelines known as the Care for Colorado initiative has been put into place by the Colorado Tourism Office and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. By educating yourself of these guidelines and adhering to them while trekking through any of Colorado's 39,000 miles of trails, you are helping to preserve their cleanliness and beauty while helping the state reduce restoration costs and avoid having to restrict access to parts of the trails.

The first step to proper hiking etiquette is possibly the most important-do your research! There is plenty of information available online (such as the Colorado Tourism Office) to help you learn about the trails and surrounding areas. This land really is your land, as 42 percent of Colorado's majestic landscape is managed by state and federal agencies. It is recommended that hikers and travelers "stay back from the pack" and find their way to some of the less-visited and off-peak destinations to make the most of their experience.

No shortcuts! Although it might pique your curiosity, avoid straying from the 39,000 marked trails and 13,000 designated campsites. They're in place for good reason! By camping within 200 feet of lakes, rivers and streams, you're helping the natural areas stay natural. By sticking to the trails, you're helping preserve plants and wildlife.

Don't ruin the experience for others by messing with plants, rocks and historical items you encounter on your adventure. Feel free to take all the pictures you would like, but please don't take any part of the trails with you. Carving and hacking plants and trees can be more damaging than you would think. Keep the area pristine by leaving your camping spot the way it was when you arrived.

Nothing you bring with you should end up on the trails or in campsites. Refrain from any kind of littering, biodegradable or not. There will be waste/recycling bins for you to dispose of garbage, and please understand that even crumbs, peels and cores should be discarded as well. If you or your pet needs a bath, please do so at least 200 feet from waterways-and for the sake of the fish, please use soap that is biodegradable.

Colorado's dry climate can mean a higher risk of forest fires. It is best to keep campfires small and manageable to prevent flames from spreading too much. When putting out a fire, always pour water over it-the flames should be extinguished enough that you can handle the embers yourself. Be cautious when smoking and don't forget to throw away your cigarette butts. And local fire restrictions can vary, so be sure to check!

Do not approach any local wildlife or feed them. Doing so can be very dangerous to both yourself and them. Feeding animals in the wild can kill them or expose them to predators.

If you're enjoying any of the state's pet-friendly trails, keep your pet on a leash and make sure that all waste ends up in the trashcan.

Be sure to check out some of the lesser-known paths and sites. There is plenty of hidden beauty that remains mostly unseen! Keep your phone on silent and speak softly without using the speaker function when talking on it. If you see someone moving uphill when you're going down, kindly yield to them as they need to keep moving onwards and upwards. Keep your voice and music at a low volume-you wouldn't want to drown out the tranquil sounds of mother nature.