During two separate dog poop cleanup dates in Summit County this spring, volunteers collected a total of 133 pounds of pet waste along the Salt Lick Trail system.

Friends of the Dillon Ranger District organized cleanup days on Saturday, March 21, and on Wednesday, April 25. 

In March, volunteers collected 73 pounds of dog poop, and another 60 pounds on the day in April. 

The group is organizing another dog poop cleanup on Friday, June 12 at Mayflower Gulch. Volunteers can sign up at FDRD.org. 

Pet waste often accumulates throughout the winter as owners neglect to clean up after their dogs in cold temperatures. But accumulated waste can pose risks to the health of humans and the natural ecosystem. Dog poop can contaminate local streams and lakes through excessive levels of nitrogen that can lead to algae blooms and even kill fish populations. Dog feces can also contain pathogens like giardia, E. coli and salmonella, all of which are harmful to humans.

Angie Holbrook, owner of Dog Days Summit, first flagged the issue of excessive pet waste around the county to Friends of the Dillon Ranger District. Lizzie Morrison, program manager, subsequently helped Holbrook organize the community-wide cleanup days. 

Around 20 volunteers hiked different parts of the Salt Lick trail system using poop scoopers, buckets and trash bags to keep pet waste out of the local watershed.