Opportunities From: Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Learning CPR and first aid is crucial because it equips everyday people to save lives in unexpected emergencies. These are critical skills while working, recreating or volunteering outdoors. This certification is also a prerequisite to attend a chainsaw or crosscut certification course offered by VOC.

In this 1-day workshop, you will receive a universally applicable certification training in Adult CPR, AED, and First Aid to deliver life-saving care in the outdoors. Signs and symptoms of common injuries and illnesses will be demonstrated in sample scenarios and accompanied by the recommended steps to aid the patient until professional help arrives. With a small class size, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and practice your training in a hands-on setting.

This training will take place in the San Luis Valley, which is four hours south of Denver. It will be hosted at a Forest Service administrative site outside of Monte Vista, CO. More information will be provided via email to registered participants. 

Ages 16+  

This course takes place on Friday, April 24th, 2026.

This is a free training and is intended for participants of the San Luis Valley volunteer program.

A detailed email with the exact location, schedule and logistical information will be sent one month prior to the training date. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email Katie at katie@voc.org

Why it's important: Training for Crew Leadership for trails is an essential part of building the capacity for stewardship in Colorado. This is a great way to take your environmental stewardship to the next level. As a Crew Leader, you will gain an understanding of trail terminology, methodology, and fundamentals of the functionality of a trail. Crew Leaders are an key component of projects; they follow the instructions of Technical Advisors and motivate a strong team of volunteers to complete that work.

What you'll learn: Through pre-workshop preparation online, classroom sessions, field exercises and role-playing, Crew Leader Trainees will learn the fundamentals of trail maintenance, construction, restoration, and erosion control. Trainees will also learn about tools and tool safety including tool identification, carrying, use, and storage. Trainees will learn about how to assess risks to avoid injury, individual learning styles, listening skills, and conflict and dispute management. A successful Crew Leader will be able to assess the individuals that make up the crew, understand motivational types and be able to effectively communicate the components of sustainable trail maintenance to their team. By the time the course concludes, Crew Leader Trainees will know how to motivate individuals to produce the desired end results in a safe manner, while utilizing the varied skills offered. All trainees will receive a crew leader manual, access to online modules, and a set of quick reference cards for a successful and fun experience.

Where you'll be: This training will be at Castlewood Canyon State Park. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided once you have paid for the training.

Essential Details: 

For questions or concerns please reach out to Kelly Clouse at kclouse@voc.org.

VOC offers a scholarship to cover training costs for volunteers with a commitment to the outdoors. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

Becoming a chainsaw sawyer is a valuable skill and a critical way to contribute to conservation efforts across Colorado. By attending this course you will gain the skills and certification to be able to safely assist with fire mitigation, trail maintenance and other felling and bucking operations to aid in forest management.

Upgrade your outdoor stewardship skills at this exciting 3 day workshop! Whether they're used for thinning fuel loads in forests, removing invasive species, clearing blow downs or much more, chainsaws are an indispensable tool in many different natural resource and trail management applications. The focus of this 3-day workshop will be on saw safety; bucking, limbing, and felling principles and techniques; an overview of the tools of the trade as well as tool care and maintenance; hazard analysis and situational awareness; and did we mention safety (lots on saw safety!). Using the USDA Forest Service National Sawyer Training: Developing Thinking Sawyers, trainees will be recommended for certification up to a "B" skill level for felling and bucking. Please note that certification level is at the discretion of the workshop evaluator based on demonstrated field proficiency and is not guaranteed.  

This chainsaw training will take place in the San Luis Valley, which is four hours south of Denver. The classroom portion on Friday will take place in Del Norte, CO. The field portion will take place near South Fork on Forest Service land. VOC will not be hosting a basecamp for this training but dispersed camping options are available near the field site. More information will be provided via email to registered participants. 

Ages 18+  

A valid first aid/CPR certification or higher is required to validate all saw certifications. You must have this certification prior to taking this class. VOC will be hosting first aid/CPR courses in both Denver and the San Luis Valley this spring. Those certification courses can be found on the VOC training calendar. 

This course takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 1-3, 2026. It is required to attend all three days of this training. Depending on participants skill level and previous experience, there may be a chance to finish up this training early.

This training costs $150/person. To pay for the course please click here. In an effort to support the local community, this training is free to residents of the San Luis Valley who are engaged in the volunteer program. Contact Katie@voc.org if you would like to request a payment waiver.

Your spot will not be reserved until you have registered and paid for the course.

A detailed email with the exact location, schedule and logistical information will be sent one month prior to the training date. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email Katie at katie@voc.org

If you cancel your registration within 2 weeks of the training date you will not be eligible for a refund. This is because we cannot fill a spot with such short notice.

Want to put these skills to work on project? Check out these opportunities to show off your new skills!

VOC offers a scholarship to cover training costs for volunteers with a commitment to the outdoors. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado is teaming up with Mending Mountains Collective to offer a training on  Indigenous Environmental Stewardship. The goal of this training is for volunteers to deepen their understanding of Indigenous land stewardship practices and values, and to help foster a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative culture. Please join us on this half-day workshop, followed by a session of field practice. This day is designed to open doors for outdoor enthusiasts, conservation practitioners, and dedicated volunteers, wherever they may be in their careers and journeys, in understanding the truth and reconciliation of the lands known as Colorado. Participants will strengthen their competency around land stewardship from an Indigenous perspective.

This training is free for VOC leaders and volunteers to participate in. It is our goal to remove barriers and welcome as many folks as we can for this training. We hope that participating in this training will provide an important perspective on environmental stewardship that will have a lasting impact on VOC’s work and community. We thank you for joining us on this training and for being an active steward of Colorado’s outdoors!

This training will take place in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The training will take place from 9:00am-2:00pm MST.  Sign up for this training to receive the exact location.

Note: VOC is not providing food on this training so please bring your own lunch. 

Why it's Important: Designing sustainable trails is a complex skill that is highly useful in the world of outdoor recreation. By participating in this course you will enhance your knowledge of trails and walk away with the tools to design your own multiuse trails. Participating in this course is the first step to becoming a Technical Advisor.

What you'll learn: Learn what it takes to design a sustainable trail! Working with a team of experienced OSI Instructors, you will cover the fundamentals of trail sustainability, planning, site analysis, and design and layout. Instruction will consist of classroom-based lecture as well as field-based design practice. Trainees will also receive instruction and practice for using a clinometer and a copy of the OSI Intro to Trail Design Guide. The guide presents the trail design process in a step-by-step fashion and includes appendices and information on additional resources.

Essential Details:

 If you have questions please reach out to Kelly Clouse at kclouse@voc.org

VOC offers a scholarship to cover training costs for volunteers with a commitment to the outdoors. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

Why it's Important: Learning how to best care for Colorado's ecosystems is a valuable way to take your stewardship to the next level. This training will address a critical part of ecological restoration: beaver dam analogs. This training will help give you the tools to assess when implementing these structures is necessary and how to construct them in a safe and sustainable manner.

What You'll Learn: In this single-day workshop, you'll join a small class to receive hands-on training in constructing and maintaining beaver dam analogs. This low-tech restoration approach is highly effective at preventing environmental harm in riparian ecosystems. To assist your learning you will receive reference materials that you can keep for future projects. 

Essential Details:

Want to put these skills to work on project? Check out this opportunity to show off your new skills!

Why it's important:  Rock work is an essential part of outdoor stewardship and building sustainable trails. When done properly, projects with rock work can last much longer and be more effective at preventing erosion and keeping trail users safe. In this Saturday workshop, you'll have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, including OSI Instructors who have been building and maintaining trails for decades. 

What you'll learn: This skills training will explore several basic concepts of rock structures and appropriate applications for multi-use trails. We will practice building commonly used structures, and trainees will come away with an enhanced ability to assess trails for practical rock work solutions. Some topics include armoring, constructing a mono-wall, and more! This training is in-person but also has an online component to be completed prior to the training.

Where you'll be: This training will take place at Garden of the Gods, near Colorado Springs. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided once you have paid for the training.

Essential Details: 

Want to put these skills to work on project? Check out these opportunities to show off your new skills!

VOC offers a scholarship to cover training costs for volunteers with a commitment to the outdoors. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

Why it's important: Training for Crew Leadership for trails is an essential part of building the capacity for stewardship in Colorado. This is a great way to take your environmental stewardship to the next level. As a Crew Leader, you will gain an understanding of trail terminology, methodology, and fundamentals of the functionality of a trail. Crew Leaders are an key component of projects; they follow the instructions of Technical Advisors and motivate a strong team of volunteers to complete that work.

What you'll learn: Through pre-workshop preparation online, classroom sessions, field exercises and role-playing, Crew Leader Trainees will learn the fundamentals of trail maintenance, construction, restoration, and erosion control. Trainees will also learn about tools and tool safety including tool identification, carrying, use, and storage. Trainees will learn about how to assess risks to avoid injury, individual learning styles, listening skills, and conflict and dispute management. A successful Crew Leader will be able to assess the individuals that make up the crew, understand motivational types and be able to effectively communicate the components of sustainable trail maintenance to their team. By the time the course concludes, Crew Leader Trainees will know how to motivate individuals to produce the desired end results in a safe manner, while utilizing the varied skills offered. All trainees will receive a crew leader manual, access to online modules, and a set of quick reference cards for a successful and fun experience.

Where you'll be: This training will be in the City of Ouray. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided once you have paid for the training.

Essential Details: 

For questions or concerns please reach out to Kelly Clouse at kclouse@voc.org

VOC offers a scholarship to cover training costs for volunteers with a commitment to the outdoors. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

Becoming a crosscut sawyer is a valuable skill and a critical way to contribute to conservation efforts across Colorado. Trail maintenance in wilderness areas is largely becoming a matter of clearing dead or downed trees from the trail corridor but crosscutting is also a useful skill to harvest raw materials for backcountry trail projects, such as bridge construction. By attending this course, you will gain the skills and certification to safely and effectively utilize wilderness-approved, crosscut saws.

Upgrade your outdoor stewardship skills at this exciting 2-day workshop! In this training, you will learn crosscut saw techniques, procedures, and best practices for safely and effectively clearing trails in challenging situations. The course will also cover basic tool care and maintenance and include a mix of classroom learning, and hands-on field experience. Using the USDA Forest Service National Sawyer Training: Developing Thinking Sawyers, trainees will be recommended for certification up to a "B" skill level for bucking. This course does not include felling. Please note that certification level is at the discretion of the workshop evaluator based on demonstrated field proficiency and is not guaranteed.  

This crosscut training will take place in the San Luis Valley, which is four hours south of Denver. The classroom portion on Saturday will take place in Del Norte, CO. The field portion will take place near South Fork on Forest Service land. VOC will not be hosting a basecamp for this training but dispersed camping options are available near the field site. More information will be provided via email to registered participants. 

Ages 18+  

A valid first aid/CPR certification or higher is required to validate all saw certifications. You must have this certification prior to taking this class. VOC will be hosting first aid/CPR courses in both Denver and the San Luis Valley this spring. Those certification courses can be found on the VOC training calendar. 

This course takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, 2026. It is required to attend both days of this training.

This training costs $60/person. To pay for the course please click here. In an effort to support the local community, this training is free to residents of the San Luis Valley who are engaged in the volunteer program. Contact Katie@voc.org if you would like to request a payment waiver.

Your spot will not be reserved until you have registered and paid for the course.

A detailed email with the exact location, schedule and logistical information will be sent one month prior to the training date. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email Katie at katie@voc.org

If you cancel your registration within 2 weeks of the training date you will not be eligible for a refund. This is because we cannot fill a spot with such short notice.

Want to put these skills to work on a project? Check out this opportunity to show off your new skills!

VOC offers a scholarship to cover training costs for volunteers with a commitment to the outdoors. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

Why it's important: This training is only for woman identifying volunteers and intended to be a safe space for building skills and community. On this training we will go over essential skills for trail construction including some rock work and proper tool mechanics. In this Saturday workshop, you'll have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, including female OSI Instructors who have been building and maintaining trails for decades. 

What you'll learn: This skills training will explore several concepts such as trail construction and rock structures that are appropriate for multi-use trails. Trainees will come away with an enhanced ability to assess trails for practical rock work solutions and preventing erosion.

Where you'll be: This training will be in near Jamestown, Colorado. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided about two weeks prior to the training.

Essential Details: 

Join us on our Celebrating Women in Trails: Hidden Valley Trail Construction @ Boulder project on September 12!

Becoming a crosscut sawyer is a valuable skill and a critical way to contribute to conservation efforts across Colorado. Trail maintenance in wilderness areas is largely becoming a matter of clearing dead or downed trees from the trail corridor but crosscutting is also a useful skill to harvest raw materials for backcountry trail projects, such as bridge construction. By attending this course, you will gain the skills to safely and effectively utilize wilderness-approved, crosscut saws.

Upgrade your outdoor stewardship skills at this exciting 2 day workshop! In this training, you will learn crosscut saw techniques, procedures, and best practices for safely and effectively clearing trails in challenging situations. The course will also cover basic tool care and maintenance and include a mix of online course work, classroom learning, and hands-on field experience. Using the USDA Forest Service National Sawyer Training: Developing Thinking Sawyers, trainees will be recommended for certification up to a "B" skill level for bucking. This course does not include felling. Please note that certification level is at the discretion of the workshop evaluator based on demonstrated field proficiency and is not guaranteed.

This crosscut saw training will take place near Fort Collins, Colorado. Exact location details will be shared once you have paid for the course.

Ages 18+  

A valid first aid/CPR certification or higher is required to validate all saw certifications. You must have this certification prior to taking this class. VOC will be hosting first aid/CPR courses in both Denver and the San Luis Valley this spring. Those certification courses can be found on the VOC training calendar.

This course takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31, 2026. It is required to attend both days of this training.

This training costs $60/person. To pay for the course, please click here.

Your spot will not be reserved until you have registered and paid for the course.

A detailed email with the exact location, schedule and logistical information will be sent one month prior to the training date. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email Kelly at kclouse@voc.org.

If you cancel your registration within 2 weeks of the training date you will not be eligible for a refund. This is because we cannot fill a spot with such short notice.

Want to put these skills to work on a project? Check out this opportunity to show off your new skills!

VOC offers a scholarship to cover training costs for volunteers with a commitment to the outdoors. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

Becoming a chainsaw sawyer is a valuable skill and a critical way to contribute to conservation efforts across Colorado. By attending this course you will gain the skills and certification to be able to safely assist with fire mitigation, trail maintenance and other felling and bucking operations to aid in forest management.

Upgrade your outdoor stewardship skills at this exciting 3 day workshop! Whether they're used for thinning fuel loads in forests, removing invasive species, clearing blow downs or much more, chainsaws are an indispensable tool in many different natural resource and trail management applications. The focus of this 3-day workshop will be on saw safety; bucking, limbing, and felling principles and techniques; an overview of the tools of the trade as well as tool care and maintenance; hazard analysis and situational awareness; and did we mention safety (lots on saw safety!). Using the USDA Forest Service National Sawyer Training: Developing Thinking Sawyers, trainees will be recommended for certification up to a "B" skill level for felling and bucking. Please note that certification level is at the discretion of the workshop evaluator based on demonstrated field proficiency and is not guaranteed.  

This chainsaw training will take place near Nederland, Colorado. While camping is not coordinated by VOC, we will send out some options in the details emails that go out to registrants.

Ages 18+  

A valid first aid/CPR certification or higher is required to validate all saw certifications. You must have this certification prior to taking this class.

This course takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 5-7, 2026. It is required to attend all three days of this training. Depending on participants skill level and previous experience, there may be a chance to finish up this training early.

This training costs $150/person. To pay for the course please click here.

Your spot will not be reserved until you have registered and paid for the course.

A detailed email with the exact location, schedule and logistical information will be sent one month prior to the training date. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email Kelly at kclouse@voc.org.

If you cancel your registration within 2 weeks of the training date you will not be eligible for a refund. This is because we cannot fill a spot with such short notice.

Want to put these skills to work on project? Check out these opportunities to show off your new skills!

VOC offers a scholarship to cover training costs for volunteers with a commitment to the outdoors. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

Why it's important: Training for Crew Leadership for trails is an essential part of building the capacity for stewardship in Colorado. This is a great way to take your environmental stewardship to the next level. As a Crew Leader, you will gain an understanding of trail terminology, methodology, and fundamentals of the functionality of a trail. Crew Leaders are an key component of projects; they follow the instructions of Technical Advisors and motivate a strong team of volunteers to complete that work.

What you'll learn: Through pre-workshop preparation online, classroom sessions, field exercises and role-playing, Crew Leader Trainees will learn the fundamentals of trail maintenance, construction, restoration, and erosion control. Trainees will also learn about tools and tool safety including tool identification, carrying, use, and storage. Trainees will learn about how to assess risks to avoid injury, individual learning styles, listening skills, and conflict and dispute management. A successful Crew Leader will be able to assess the individuals that make up the crew, understand motivational types and be able to effectively communicate the components of sustainable trail maintenance to their team. By the time the course concludes, Crew Leader Trainees will know how to motivate individuals to produce the desired end results in a safe manner, while utilizing the varied skills offered. All trainees will receive a crew leader manual, access to online modules, and a set of quick reference cards for a successful and fun experience.

Where you'll be: This training will be at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided once you have paid for the training.

Essential Details: 

For questions or concerns please reach out to Kelly Clouse at kclouse@voc.org.

VOC offers a scholarship to cover training costs for volunteers with a commitment to the outdoors. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

Why it's important: Noxious weeds represent a huge threat to all ecosystems across Colorado and are a huge challenge in the field of conservation. Learning how to control, mitigate, and safely treat noxious weeds is a valuable skill to make key contributions to environmental stewardship.

What you'll Learn: This training focuses on how to manage weeds on public lands. We will cover how to identify, inventory, map, and treat noxious weeds. There is also emphasis on the appropriate treatment protocol for individual species. There is also time dedicated to identifying common "look a likes" that can be mistaken as noxious weeds.

Want to put these skills to work on project? Check out these opportunities to show off your new skills!

This training is designed to give you deeper knowledge into sustainable forestry management. As Colorado's climate changes, our forests face new challenges. This training gives you an introduction on how to manage our forests to be resilient and sustainable. Whether you are a sawyer, experienced volunteer, land owner, or land manager, this training will add lots to your toolbelt! 

This training will cover topics such as: climate change resilience, forest density, wildfire prevention, and pine beetle management. 

This training will take place in Evergreen, Colorado on Saturday, June 13. You must be present in-person to attend this training. This training will be a mix of classroom and field-based learning.

Want to put what you learn in this training to work? Join us for a forestry project this season! Both chainsaw certified and non-chainsaw certified volunteers are welcome.

Why it's important:  Rock work is an essential part of outdoor stewardship and building sustainable trails. When done properly, projects with rock work can last much longer and be more effective at preventing erosion and keeping trail users safe. In this Saturday workshop, you'll have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, including OSI Instructors who have been building and maintaining trails for decades. 

What you'll learn: This skills training will explore several basic concepts of rock structures and appropriate applications for multi-use trails. We will practice building commonly used structures, and trainees will come away with an enhanced ability to assess trails for practical rock work solutions. Some topics include armoring, constructing a mono-wall, and more! This training is in-person but also has an online component to be completed prior to the training.

Where you'll be: This training will take place at Golden Gate Canyon State Park, near Golden Colorado. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided once you have paid for the training.

Essential Details: 

Want to put these skills to work on project? Check out these opportunities to show off your new skills!

VOC offers a scholarship to cover training costs for volunteers with a commitment to the outdoors. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

Colorado’s bumble bees need your help! This summer, join our community of bumble bee loving volunteers across Colorado searching for and documenting these important pollinators.

This training will take place completely in the field and focuses on hands-on practice. Participants will learn how to safely net bumble bees, transfer them to vials, photograph them, and release them. We will also walk through how to complete the BBA data sheet. Please note that this is not a comprehensive training, volunteers should also watch a training webinar and review the Participant Handbook.

To get started and learn more about the project, visit BumbleBeeAtlas.org and sign up for the spring 2026 Webinar on Thursday, April 23.

This field training will take place in the San Luis Valley, which is four hours south of Denver. The training site will be located outside of Creede in an area known as Antelope Park. VOC will not be hosting a basecamp for this training but dispersed camping options are available near the field site. More information will be provided via email to registered participants. 

Bumble bees are charismatic and easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size, loud buzz, and distinctive color patterns. They play an incredibly important role in sustaining the health of our environment by pollinating flowers in natural and urban areas, and by contributing to successful harvests on farms.

Working together, Xerces' scientists, state and federal agency biologists, university scientists, and community scientists will be able to rapidly grow our understanding of bumble bees! Our teams of researchers will be able to use the new information to assess species distribution, population shifts, habitat associations and more. Additionally, the data will identify regions that are supporting healthy populations, as well as those in need of restoration or management, and highlight landscape features that are associated with bumble bee habitat. Understanding how species distributions have changed over time, in conjunction with habitat change, will help form accurate predictions as to what we should expect in the future, and aid in the design of effective conservation measures. ​

With your help, we can quickly cover the large regions of the country, collect scientific-quality data, and contribute to bumble bee conservation. Our efforts will help conservation biologists, restoration practitioners, and policy makers do a better job protecting, restoring, and managing effective habitat that support healthy bumble bee populations. 

Why it's important: This training will go over essential skills for advanced trail work including turnpikes, rock structures, and timber steps. Building sustainable climbing turns is an essential part of outdoor stewardship and building sustainable trails. When done properly, projects with rock and timber can last much longer and be more effective at preventing erosion and keeping trail users safe. In this Friday workshop, you'll have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, including OSI Instructors who have been building and maintaining trails for decades. 

 This training is designed to prepare volunteers for the Hogback Trail Reroute @ Granby project on June 27-28.

What you'll learn: This skills training will explore several advanced concepts such as climbing turns, retaining walls, and steep trail construction. Trainees will come away with an enhanced ability to construct sustainable trails.

Where you'll be: This training will be in near Granby Colorado. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided 2 weeks out from the training.

Essential Details: 

For questions or concerns please reach out to Kelly Clouse at kclouse@voc.org

Why it's important: This training will go over essential skills for advanced trail work including turnpikes, rock structures, and timber steps. Building sustainable climbing turns is an essential part of outdoor stewardship and building sustainable trails. When done properly, projects with rock and timber can last much longer and be more effective at preventing erosion and keeping trail users safe. In this Friday workshop, you'll have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, including OSI Instructors who have been building and maintaining trails for decades. 

 This training is designed to prepare volunteers for the Gilsonite Trail project on July 18-19.

What you'll learn: This skills training will explore several advanced concepts such as trail construction after a forest fire, erosion control in a flood zone, and rock structures that are appropriate for multi-use trails. Trainees will come away with an enhanced ability to assess trails for practical rock work solutions and sustainable trail construction.

Where you'll be: This training will be in near Granby, Colorado. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided two weeks out from the training date.

Essential Details: