Where You’ll Be:
Located in Denver’s historic Capitol Hill neighborhood, the Colorado Governor's Mansion was built as a private residence in 1908 and gifted to the State of Colorado in 1959. The mansion is rich in history and is even listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. In 2011, Governor Hickenlooper established the First Family's Giving Garden, a vegetable garden planted by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado in partnership with Grow Local Colorado.
What You’ll Do:
Join us for a meaningful and enjoyable way to connect with your community and the outdoors! Volunteers ages 8 and up will help plant the vegetable gardens at the Governor's Mansion, continuing a tradition of giving back through gardening.
Led by Grow Local Colorado staff, you’ll learn which vegetables will be planted and why, as well as how to arrange them for optimal growth and productivity. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just getting started, this is a great opportunity to grow your skills, ask questions about your own garden, or find inspiration to start one.
As a bonus, participants may have the chance to take home extra seeds and seedlings—while supplies last!
Why It Matters:
The vegetables you plant will be harvested in the fall and donated to local food banks, homeless shelters, and families in need, helping to address food insecurity in our community. This partnership with Grow Local Colorado strengthens community connections, showcases the impact of edible gardens, inspires others to grow their own food, and supports a more sustainable food system by reducing the carbon footprint of food production and distribution.
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: Volunteers can expect to be bending over and kneeling.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Access: Street parking is within a 5–10-minute walk to the project site. This project may be accessible via public transit for you or accessible via bike!
