Keep Colorado Beautiful: 7 Principles of ‘Leave No Trace’

If only 'Leave No Trace' was a more commonly used phrase in life. Wouldn't that be the best thing ever to read a sign like that going into a public restroom at Canyon View Park?

Read More: Best Ways to Stay Hydrated: Hiking in Colorado’s High Altitudes

Colorado residents love the great outdoors and know that the only way to keep them looking great is to observe all seven principles that are a part of the 'Leave No Trace' lifestyle.

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Know Before You Go In Colorado

Principle #1: Know Before You Go. Before you go off into a Colorado National Forest or Wilderness Area, know a little something about your destination. You’ll make far less of an impact on the area if you understand the route, any restrictions, and any impact the weather may have upon your adventure.

Travel and Camp on Approved Grounds

Principle #2: Stay On the Path. Since you have studied your route, it should be easier to stay on it. Straying from trails is one of the fastest ways to get into trouble in Colorado, and camping in places where you are not supposed to can put you at unrealized risk. All of this will leave a trace – which you don’t want to do.

Waste Disposal in Colorado

Principle #3: Dispose of Waste. No matter if you are on a day hike or camping for several days, ‘leave no trace’ means packing out your trash and waste. All your waste. That means trash, leftovers, litter, and anything else that would indicate you had been there (which would also mean leaving a trace).

Leave What You Find

Principle #4: Leave Behind Whatever You Find. The best way to preserve Colorado’s past and present is to leave any rocks, plants, arrowheads, and everything else exactly where you found it. Never remove items from the wilderness.

Read More: If You Find an Arrowhead in Colorado, Can You Keep It?

Minimize Campfire Impact

Principle #5: Campfire Care. In Colorado, we love our national forests. Generally, we do not like anyone building a huge bonfire in risky areas. Along this line of thinking, guests to the Colorado wilderness should use a lightweight stove for cooking or candle lanterns for light to impact the area as little as possible.

Respect Colorado's Wildlife

Principle #6: Respect Wildlife. Do not approach Colorado’s large wild game. Observe them from a distance. Do not feed Colorado wildlife, no matter how badly you might want to. Disturbing their natural behavior means you have failed to ‘leave no trace.’

Read More: See All 11 of Colorado's Beautiful National Forests

Keep Colorado Friendly

Principle #7: Be Kind To Others. Those hikers coming up the trail behind you deserve a great experience in the outdoors as much as you do. Respect everyone you encounter in Colorado. We are all here enjoying the same thing and we all want a quality experience.