We Tried It: Denver’s New Dog Oasis, Skiptown

The Curio Cabinet team is constantly opening themselves and their community up to new narratives and experiences. We Tried It is an ongoing series of testing and vetting products, events and destinations by local businesses.

One of the numerous reasons why Denver is so beloved by locals and ever-growing transplants is the fact that this city loves dogs. With 300 days of sunshine, accessible and convenient trails, dog-friendly breweries and festivals dedicated to the joy and outgoing nature of golden retrievers, it’s about time the city welcomed a high-end dog park that meets all the needs of owners and their best friends.

In comes Skiptown, the one-of-a-kind dog bar, park and pet care club which opened up to the public last month on October 4. This opening came four years after the success of the flagship location based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Skiptown is expanding nationally and is planning to open a location in Atlanta later this year.

“Denver loves their dogs and there’s a need for additional safe, off-leash environments for pups to play. We couldn’t be more excited to bring the Skiptown experience to Denver’s dog-loving community,” Meggie Williams, Skiptown’s founder and CEO said in a statement.

In true Curio Cabinet fashion, we had to test and affirm that this dog park was bringing the premier experience it advertised to be. As a new dog mom to an anxious and tiny one year old King Charles Cavalier named Beaux, I (Jordan) set out to meet the team at Skiptown and enjoy a day out in the sun.

Not only was Beaux anxious, but so was I! As a longtime mother to two cats who are five and seventeen, the doghood journey is very different. Admitting that I don’t know what I’m doing was the first step towards sanity. How are you supposed to introduce them to other dogs? Is butt sniffing ok? Why is he shrieking when I park my car? What do I do if he gets in a fight? So many questions, and so little experience.

To ease some of my anxiety, before anyone can enter Skiptown, all members need to download their mobile app where you can upload all necessary vaccine records and vet information. This ensures that all dogs in the park are healthy and vaccinated. The app also allows visitors to book appointments for full-service grooming, overnight luxury boarding suites, daycare appointments and track the calendar for any upcoming events at Skiptown.

Upon entering the park, we were checked in and had to show identification since the park offers a full-service caffeine and alcohol bar. The bar partners with local businesses like Queen City, Ratio Beerworks and Second Dawn Brewing. The dog park offers indoor and outdoor seating with plenty of spaces for the dogs and humans to roam and relax. After check in, your pup is free to roam free off leash in the 20,000-square-foot outdoor turfed space.

Beaux, filled with excitement, took off while I caught up with Skiptown’s General Manager Aleq Quintanilla about the opening process and what visitors can expect during their visit. 

Intention was at the forefront of building this unique space. Unlike the flagship location in North Carolina, which was first a dog walking business, the Denver location ensured from the beginning that it would be a communal space. When opening such a large dog park and bar such as this, obeying all the city’s regulations to accommodate as many dogs and people as possible was essential during the launch process.

It’s nice to have a vetted space. The skippers who are hired in the dog park have all been trained with dog body language and have safety in mind,” he shared.

The Skiptown team is present on the field and accommodating to all needs. Watching, engaging and encouraging play with respect amongst all dogs. To my relief, my timid pup who was earlier filled with excitement was found in the arms of one of the skippers minutes later. He underestimated the energy and playfulness of the other dogs and got a little shy.

Although my pup was scared and cautious of the new environment, the Skiptown team and the park itself offered a space where we could go at our pace. It was advised that by the third visit, Beaux should hit his stride. Whether it’s our first or fifth time, I can confidently say I feel perfectly safe and relaxed letting him roam free at Skiptown.

Skiptown is the perfect place for pups and their people. We aren’t just a daycare or an off leash park. We are a whole facility that can handle anything that your pup needs. The bar and park is a great place for you to relax while your pup can get their energy out,” Quintanilla continued.

To learn more, visit skiptown.io. Skiptown is located at 3833 Steele Street. Its regular hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.