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Boulder’s Wild Side (And We Don’t Mean the College Kids)
From bobcats to bats, OSMP is crawling, flying, and slithering with life.
What's Happenin' Team
July 28, 2025
Wild Things of Boulder: Discover the Wildlife of OSMP
Hey Boulder! 🌞
Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks aren’t just scenic — they’re wildly alive. With everything from mountain lions to Gaillardia Moths calling it home, OSMP is one of the most biodiverse spots on Colorado’s Front Range. Whether you’re hiking, birdwatching, or just trying not to step on a squirrel, you’re in the middle of something magical.
Want more local recs? Check out our Things to Do in Boulder, Best Restaurants, and Date-Worthy Spots for even more ideas.
Let’s dig in!
— The What’s Happenin’ Boulder Team 😉
Trivia Q&A ⛰️
This tiny moth sports a red head and yellow body—matching the fiery hues of the flower it’s named after. What’s the name of this colorful bloom? |
Hint: This plant is known for its resilience in rocky environments. Answer at the bottom 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
🦉 Wild Things of Boulder: Meet Your OSMP Neighbors
 | Think Boulder’s wild side stops at coyotes and college parties? Think again. The City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) is bursting with biodiversity — a rare urban wildlife wonderland right in our backyard. |
🐾 From Bobcats to Bumble Bees
Boulder’s OSMP is a wildlife wonderland, home to 59+ mammals, 100+ bird species, and even 11 types of bats. You might spot a tassel-eared Abert’s squirrel, a hummingbird mid-zip, or a Gaillardia Moth dressed to match its namesake flower.
 | 🦇 Bats in the Flatirons At dusk, look up — bats take flight from the Flatirons, including the rare Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat. These bug-eating flyers thrive in OSMP’s rocky nooks. 📸 Look, But Don’t Loom Admire from afar: wildlife watching is best when it’s respectful. Stay on trails, leash the pup, and skip the skunk selfies. |
🎶 What’s Happenin’ Boulder 🎭
Monday, July 28 🧠 This is a Clue Trivia📍 Beyond the Mountain Brewing | ⏰ 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | 🆓 Free (recurring weekly on Monday) 🍻 Twisted Bingo📍 Twisted Pine Brewing Company | ⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 🆓 Free (recurring weekly on Monday) 📅 Rhiannon Giddens & The Old-Time Revue📍 Chautauqua Auditorium | ⏰ 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed 🎵 Boulder Concert Band - East Palo Park📍 East Palo Park | ⏰ 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed 📅 Restorative Yoga Pop-Up📍 PR Labs | ⏰ 6:15 PM to 7:15 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed | Tuesday, July 29 🔥 Junkyard Monthly Flow Jam📍 Junkyard Social Club | ⏰ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 💵 $10 suggested donation (recurring monthly, 4th Tuesday) 🛝 Junkyard Open Play📍 Junkyard Social Club | ⏰ Various Hours | 💵 $10 kids / $5 adults (recurring weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) 🎉 Smarty Party📍 Avanti F&B | ⏰ 7:30 PM | 🆓 Free (recurring weekly on Tuesday) 🎧 Turntable Tuesday📍 VisionQuest Brewery | ⏰ 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM | 🆓 Free (recurring weekly on Tuesday) |
Want more? See the full calendar → Boulder Event Calendar
🍽 Not sure where to eat tonight?Our Restaurant Finder takes the guesswork out of dining by showing you the best local restaurants based on real reviews and vibes, not just ratings. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a date-night spot, we’ve got you. No endless scrolling, no decision fatigue...just solid recs. | 🧠 Need a brain break?Play trivia, crosswords, and word searches built just for locals. These games aren’t just fun...they’ll test how well you actually know your city. Great for killing time, learning something new, or proving you’re the true local legend. | 🌮 Who’s Got the Best Tacos in Boulder?We’re on a mission to crown Boulder’s top taco spot—from OG taquerías to bold fusion joints. Vote for your favorite and help settle the salsa-fueled debate once and for all. 🌶️ |
👋 Keep It Wild, Boulder
 | Whether you’re tracking squirrels with your morning coffee or watching bats dance at dusk, there’s magic in Boulder’s backyard — you just have to look (and listen). Respect the trails, give wildlife their space, and you’ll be rewarded with moments most people miss. Trivia Answer: A) Gaillardia, also known as the blanket flower! The Gaillardia Moth is nature’s little master of camouflage—blending in like it was styled by the plant itself. Keep an eye out next time you’re exploring the incredibly rich and diverse wildlife of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP)! 🦋 See you Wednesday. Same trails, same time. -What’s Happenin’ Boulder Team 🌸 |
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