Louisville Municipal Code for Open Space

Permit Applications

• Application for Open Space Access - For passage through Open Space to another property
• Application for Open Space Use - For activities occurring on Open Space
• Boat Permits for Harper Lake

Report a Violation on Open Space

To report a violation or concern regarding activity on Open Space, please contact the Boulder County non-emergency dispatch number at (303) 441-4444.

Encroachment

The Ranger Naturalist team enforces municipal code on Open Space, including illegal encroachment from neighboring properties. Here are some helpful guidelines to help residents be good neighbors to Open Space properties.

Frequently Asked Questions about Open Space:

Questions from Visitors

• When are Open Space trails open?
  • Open Space Trails are open one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset.
• Where can my dog be off-leash in Louisville?
  • Dogs are required to be leashed in public throughout Louisville, except the City's two Dog Off-Leash Areas.  Dogs must be on a leash no greater than 10 feet.
• Can I go fishing on Louisville Open Space?
  • Fishing is allowed at Harper Lake and the Warembourg Fishing Pond. State fishing license requirements apply and are enforced by Ranger Naturalists. 
• Can I go swimming or wading in Harper Lake?
  • Harper Lake is a municipal water supply and activities involving bodily contact with the water, including swimming, wading, and paddle boarding, are not allowed. Small boats such as kayaks, canoes, and row boats are allowed with a permit.
• Can I fly a drone on Open Space?
  • Flying drones and other small aircraft is not permitted on Open Space.

Questions from Neighbors

• Can my contractor access my property via Open Space?
  • All contractors must obtain an access permit prior to beginning work. Access permit applications are reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis.
• Is it okay to dump my yard waste over the fence? It's biodegradable, right?
  • No dumping of any kind is allowed on Open Space. Even small piles of grass clippings, leaves, or branches can smother vegetation and create bare ground areas that invite invasive weed species to colonize.
• Can I help landscape Open Space?
  • Private landscaping and gardens are not allowed on Open Space, which is managed for natural resource conservation and public benefit. Trees, shrubs, or gardens planted on Open Space are encroachments and must be removed at owner expense.