Opportunities From: Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Where You’ll Be: 

Observatory Park is a small yet spacious park near the University of Denver (DU) campus. Home to DU's historic Chamberlin Observatory, the park also boasts century-old trees, an extensive playground area, and vast open fields perfect for picnicking or a pickup game of frisbee. 

What You’ll Do: 

Through our long-standing partnership with Grow Local Colorado, volunteers ages 8+ will spend the evening harvesting a vegetable garden and preparing it for winter at Observatory Park. Tasks will include gathering ripe produce, weeding, and clearing plant debris to help maintain the garden for the next growing season.

Participants may have the opportunity to take home extra seeds (while supplies last) and even hand-deliver fresh produce to local food banks and community aid organizations, ensuring these nutritious harvests reach those in need.

Why It Matters: 

The produce that VOC volunteers planted in the spring is now mature and ready to be donated to local organizations including food banks, homeless shelters, and families in need. By growing food locally, we reduce our carbon footprint by reducing the distance food must travel, minimizing water use, decreasing soil erosion, and helping develop a sustainable community. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 8+   

Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.   

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered easy, please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Physical Considerations: Specific tasks include bending down/kneeling to harvest and using loppers or pruning shears to cut plant debris.  

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: Public street parking is available within a 5-10 minute walk to the project site. This project is accessible via RTD public transit or bike! 

Please park on the west side of the park, along S Fillmore St. The garden plot (and where we will meet for the project) will be in the northwestern corner of Observatory Park.

Where You’ll Be: 

The Dolores River stretches 241 miles from its headwaters in the San Juan National Forest through Colorado and into Utah, where it joins the Colorado River. This project takes place in a cottonwood gallery along the Dolores River between Gateway and Naturita. 

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will help protect cottonwood trees by installing protective cages. This involves carrying materials—including T-posts, fencing, and tools—to designated sites, securing up to four posts per tree, and wrapping them with fencing. These efforts will safeguard young and mature cottonwoods from increased beaver activity, particularly following recent flooding events that have allowed beavers to access previously protected trees. 

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, along with dinner on Saturday. 

Bring your own dinner for Friday night and enough snacks for the weekend. 

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and we recommend arriving at base camp before 8 pm on Friday. 

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper!

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering — and we could use your help to make it happen!

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up!

Why It Matters: 

Cottonwood galleries are vital to the Dolores River ecosystem, providing shade that helps regulate water temperatures and contributing large woody debris that enhances fish habitat. By protecting these trees, we help sustain a healthy riparian corridor. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 18+ 

Project Difficulty: 

This project is rated moderate to difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

Physical Considerations:

Volunteers can expect to carry tools and fencing materials, bend down, squat or kneel, and use their hands to secure fencing. We have the privilege of working within beaver habitat! We can expect dense brush, muddy and uneven terrain and some bugs.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible with the ability to drive up to the worksite.  

Other Notes: Expect limited cell service and a ~30-minute drive to the nearest town for amenities.

Where You’ll Be: 

The Colorado Governor's Mansion, located in the heart of Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood, is a member of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Originally built as a private residence in 1908, it was given to the State of Colorado as an executive residence in 1959. In 2011, Governor Hickenlooper donated the plants that would become the First Family's Giving Garden, planted by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado with Grow Local Colorado. 

What You’ll Do: 

Through our long-standing partnership with Grow Local Colorado, volunteers ages 8+ will spend the evening harvesting a vegetable garden and prepping it for winter at the Governor's Mansion. Tasks will include gathering ripe produce, weeding, and clearing plant debris to help maintain the garden for the next growing season.

Participants may have the opportunity to take home extra seeds (while supplies last) and even hand-deliver fresh produce to local food banks and community aid organizations, ensuring these nutritious harvests reach those in need.

Why It Matters: 

The produce that VOC volunteers planted in the spring is now mature and ready to be donated to local organizations, including food banks, homeless shelters, and families in need. By growing food locally, we reduce our carbon footprint by reducing the distance food must travel, minimizing water use, decreasing soil erosion, and helping develop a sustainable community. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 8+   

Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.  

**Background checks will be required for all volunteers and staff in attendance. The checks will need to be completed about two weeks in advance of the event date, and they must be hand-signed with black pen and then emailed to the VOC Project Manager. No electronic signatures will be accepted.**

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered easy; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Physical Considerations: Specific tasks include bending down/kneeling to harvest and using loppers or pruning shears to cut plant debris.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: Public street parking is available within a 5-10 minute walk to the project site. This project is accessible via RTD public transit or bike!

Where You’ll Be: 

Christ the King Lutheran Church, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has a proud history in the Harvey Park neighborhood of Southwest Denver dating back to its founding in 1956. The congregation was originally rooted in the rapid growth of the neighborhood in the late 1950's. They have partnered with Grow Local Colorado since 2018 and their plot is a wonderful example of how productive sheet mulch gardening can be. 

What You’ll Do: 

Through our long-standing partnership with Grow Local Colorado, volunteers ages 8+ will spend the morning harvesting a vegetable garden and prepping it for winter. Tasks will involve harvesting vegetables, weeding, and removing harvested plants to winterize the beds.  

Volunteers may also have the opportunity to hand deliver some of the fresh produce to local area food banks and community aid organizations. 

Why It Matters: 

The produce that VOC volunteers planted in the spring is now mature and ready to be donated to local organizations including food banks, homeless shelters, and families in need. By growing food locally, we reduce our carbon footprint by reducing the distance food must travel, minimizing water use, decreasing soil erosion, and helping develop a sustainable community. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 8+   

Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.   

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered easy, please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Physical Considerations: Specific tasks include bending down/kneeling to harvest and using loppers or pruning shears to cut plant debris.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: Public street parking available within a 5-10 minute walk to project site. This project is accessible via RTD public transit or bike!

Where You'll Be:

Pence Park is a beautiful, quiet respite just thirty minutes from Denver. Pence Park's wide variety of trails has become a popular destination for hikers and bikers along the Front Range. Mountain bikers flock from miles around to ride from Lair O' the Bear to Pence Park, a scenic 13 miles. Pence Park's unique array of wildlife includes bald eagles, Mexican spotted owls, the Preble's jumping mouse, and the Townsend's big-eared bat.

What You'll Do:

Volunteers will help with much-needed trail maintenance at the park, just a short trip from the Denver metro area. Tasks may include clearing the trail corridor by trimming overgrown vegetation to keep paths open and safe, maintaining drainage by removing debris and improving water flow to prevent erosion, and repairing the tread to smooth and reinforce the trail surface for a safer and more durable path. This is a great opportunity for new volunteers and anyone interested in learning more about trail restoration while enjoying a beautiful outdoor setting.

Why It Matters:

Trail maintenance matters from an ecological and environmental standpoint because it ensures a safe and sustainable route for people to use, which keeps the surrounding habitat safe and minimizes the human impacts on flora and fauna, especially in high-use areas like Pence Park.

Eligibility Requirements: Ages 16+

Project Difficulty:

This project is considered moderate; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Physical Considerations:

You can expect to bend down, pick up objects, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible  Other Notes: Cell service may be spotty in this area.

Where You’ll Be:  

Known as the "Switzerland of America" and the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado," Ouray is a breathtaking destination nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. This unique volunteer opportunity not only allows you to give back but also offers a chance to explore one of Colorado’s most stunning landscapes.

As a special perk, volunteers will receive free passes to Ouray’s famous hot springs—so don’t forget to pack a swimsuit! We’ll be camping at Rotary Park, a beautiful city park that is normally closed to overnight stays, making this a rare and special experience. For those who enjoy climbing, the park features excellent bolted routes, so feel free to bring your gear.

For those who want to extend their adventure, camping will also be available Sunday night, providing a great opportunity to relax and avoid a long drive home after the workday.

What You’ll Do:

The goal of this trail maintenance project is to improve two sections of trail that connect the Perimeter Trail to the base of Cascade Falls. One section on the south side of Cascade Creek has become overly wide, leading to unnecessary trampling of the creekside habitat and unstable footing.

To address this, volunteers will help define a clear, single pathway by incorporating natural landscape features to guide hikers. Work will include installing rock steps, building small retaining walls for stability, and improving the trail surface with native or imported stone. Additionally, we’ll create level areas where visitors can safely gather to enjoy the falls without causing further erosion.

Breakfast and lunch are provided on Saturday and Sunday, along with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner for Friday night and enough snacks for the weekend. Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and we recommend arriving at base camp before 8 pm on Friday.

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper!
We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering — and we could use your help to make it happen!

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up!

Why It Matters:

This trail maintenance is critical for preventing erosion, minimizing human impacts on the surrounding ecosystem, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of recreation in the region. 

Eligibility Requirements:   

Ages 16+   

For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older. 

Project Difficulty:

This project is considered moderate to difficult. Check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

Physical Considerations:

Volunteers can expect to carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, bend down, and carry and place rocks.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access:   2WD Accessible – no vehicle restrictions

Where You’ll Be: 

Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks form a buffer around the city, helping to establish its own identity from neighboring communities. This project will take place in the Boulder Valley Ranch area, which provides access to many popular trails like Sage, Eagle, Cobalt and Left Hand.

What You’ll Do: 

Join approximately 50 volunteers, partnering with Boulder OSMP staff, to construct a new designated connector trail, restore undesignated trails, and perform repairs on existing trails.

Please bring your own lunch for the day!

Why It Matters: 

The trail construction and maintenance efforts undertaken by volunteers in this project will enhance visitor access and connectivity, promote sustainability, and safeguard valuable natural resources in the area. Join us in preserving and improving the beauty and accessibility of this trail system.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 14+ 

Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.

Project Difficulty: 

This project includes tasks at varying levels of difficulty from easy, moderate, to difficult.   Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: 2WD Accessible  

Other Notes: Parking and restrooms is available within 1/4 mile from the work area. The hike to the work area will be a gentle approach. This area is notorious for NO SHADE so volunteers can expect to experience heavy sun exposure. VOC will provide shaded shelter for breaks.

Where You’ll Be: 

This project takes place along Forest Service Road 550, where a fuel break was created to help firefighters safely work during wildfires. A fuel break is an area where flammable vegetation has been reduced or cleared to slow the spread of fire. Over the past 20+ years, new growth has filled in this area, reducing its effectiveness. By restoring the fuel break, this project will protect nearby communities, improve conditions for future firefighting efforts, and promote healthier forests. 

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will thin and pile new-growth trees that have populated the fire retreat areas. The trees are less than 4 feet tall, and there are over 400 to be removed using chainsaws, handsaws, and loppers. 

Breakfast is provided on Saturday and Sunday, along with dinner on Saturday. 

Bring your own dinner for Friday night, lunch for Satruday, and enough snacks for the weekend. 

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and we recommend arriving at base camp before 8 pm on Friday. 

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper!

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering — and we could use your help to make it happen!

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up!

Why It Matters: 

By helping to maintain this shaded fuel break, volunteers reduce wildfire risks and create a safe rest and work area for firefighters. This project directly supports fire mitigation efforts and helps protect nearby communities and natural resources. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 18+ 

On this project, we need a mix of A and B certified Chainsaw Sawyers. If you are certified, please include this in the Comments of your registration and send your certificate to the project manager. ALL SAWYERS MUST HOLD A CURRENT FIRST AID AND CPR CERTIFICATION IN ORDER TO OPERATE A SAW. Interested in getting certified as sawyer? Visit our Training Calendar for upcoming training opportunities or reach out to ben@voc.org to learn more. 

Project Difficulty: 

This project is rated difficult. Check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.  

Physical Considerations: 

This project is considered difficult due to full days of cutting, thinning, and piling branches, brush, and other woody debris (known as slash material). 

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible – no vehicle restrictions.

Where You’ll Be: 

This half-day project is a great opportunity for those looking for less physically demanding volunteer work. Boulder County Parks and Open Space staff will monitor seed development across various open space areas to determine the best collection sites. The exact project location will be shared with registered volunteers 4–7 days before the project.  

What You’ll Do: 

Help increase the availability of native seeds by hand-collecting a variety of species, including grasses, sedges, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. This is a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge of native Colorado plants, as Boulder County Plant Ecologists will be on-site to guide you in identifying wildflowers and other native species throughout the project. 

Why It Matters: 

Using native seeds in restoration efforts is critical for helping the land recover after a disturbance. Unfortunately, native seeds are often unavailable commercially, prohibitively expensive, or not suited to the local ecosystem. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 8+ 

Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.   

Project Difficulty:

This project is considered easy. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

Physical Considerations:  Hiking and bending over to collect seeds. 

Access Factors:  While the location is not yet determined, all locations should be 2WD accessible. Other Notes: Please note that the specific project location will be confirmed about one week before the event. The site selection depends on several factors, including seed development, weather conditions, and even wind! Our partners at Boulder County Parks & Open Space will actively scout potential sites, and we’ll share the location and logistics with registered volunteers as soon as the details are finalized.

Where you'll be:

VOC's 5,000-square-foot Operations "Ops" Center in Lakewood is home to a plethora of project equipment from tools to kitchen supplies. If you haven't been to the Ops Center before, this is a great opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how VOC projects operate.

What you'll do:

Our annual OcTOOLberfest is a great way to celebrate the successes of the season and prepare for the next one with fellow volunteers and VOC staff. Each year, we enlist the help of volunteers to help clean, sharpen, paint and repair tools clean, as well as organizing the VOC Operations Center in Lakewood. Spending a bit of time to winterize tools in the fall ensures that our tools are in great shape for the start of next season!

Why it matters:

A well-cared-for tool is a safe tool! Dozens of projects each year take a toll on tools and equipment, and by the end of the season, they need some TLC. By helping us care for these tools and put them to bed for winter, you'll help VOC prepare for a safe and successful 2026 project season.

Eligibility Criteria:  Ages 14+

Project Difficulty:

The tasks available in this project vary from easy, moderate, to difficult.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: 2-minute walk from the parking lot to the Operations Center. Other Notes:  Restrooms on site.

Where You’ll Be:  

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, spanning an impressive 176,000 acres, is a rugged and breathtaking landscape that holds the highest known density of archaeological sites in the United States, boasting 6,000 ancient sites, including cliff dwellings, villages, and captivating rock art. 

What You’ll Do:  

Join a small, dedicated group of 12 volunteers to help with important seasonal trail maintenance tasks. These include closing social trails, clearing drainage areas to prevent erosion, trimming overgrown plants, smoothing and repairing the trail surface, and trail sign maintenance. 

Breakfast and lunch are provided on Saturday and Sunday, along with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner for Friday night and enough snacks for the weekend. Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and we recommend arriving at base camp before 8 pm on Friday.Why It Matters:  

The Sand Canyon area within the monument is a treasure trove of cultural significance, home to a remarkable concentration of historical sites. As a designated Special Recreation Management Area, public off-trail access is restricted to protect the integrity of this fragile environment. By helping to close unofficial, user-created trails leading to sensitive cultural sites, volunteers play a critical role in preserving these unique locations. Your efforts will protect these sites from modern disturbances, allowing them to remain undisturbed and evolve naturally, ensuring their cultural and historical value is safeguarded for future generations to learn from and appreciate. 

Eligibility Requirements:   

Ages 16+   

For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older. 

Project Difficulty:   

This project is considered moderate to difficult. Check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.  

Physical Considerations: 

Requires a hike of approximately 6-8 miles round trip. 

Conditions are expected to be hot. 

Tasks may include bending over and carrying natural materials to close social trails, clearing drains, and repairing signage.  

Access Factors:   

Vehicle Accessibility:    2WD Accessible – no vehicle restrictions   

Other notes:  There are no bathrooms available for this project. Please expect to use wag bags in our portable bathroom tent. Additionally, there will be no running water or electricity.