Opportunities From: Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Where You’ll Be: 

Cherry Creek State Park is one of the most popular and scenic parks in the Denver metro area, known for its expansive reservoir, diverse wildlife, and beautiful open spaces. With a mix of prairie, wetlands, and cottonwood-lined trails, the park offers a peaceful natural escape just minutes from the city. It’s also a hub for outdoor recreation, environmental education, and habitat restoration. 

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will work in an area where informal foot traffic from hikers and birders has begun to impact sensitive wetlands and create conflicts with active beaver habitat.

The primary goal of this project is to construct a new crushed gravel trail that reroutes use onto a designated, sustainable path. Volunteers will also help close the existing informal trail to allow the area to recover.

The second priority is to construct fencing to delineate a wetland viewing area. Over time, this space will be enhanced with benches, viewing areas, and interpretive signage, creating a new park amenity while protecting surrounding habitat.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

Why It Matters: 

Cherry Creek State Park receives around two million visits each year. Creating a designated trail and formal viewing area in this part of the park helps spread visitor use more evenly and reduces pressure on heavily used trails elsewhere. This project also provides a sustainable way for visitors to experience wetlands and wildlife, including birds and beavers, while protecting the habitat that supports them.

Eligibility Requirements:  Ages 14+ 

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

Project Difficulty: 

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

General physical considerations for participating on this project. Some or all may apply: extensive digging and excavating to make way for new crusher fines trail; tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch; hauling heavy wheelbarrows.

Access Factors:  

Vehicle Access: The park is 2WD accessible. Depending on where we park, volunteers may be parking in one area and carpooling to the project site 

Other Notes:  The project area is fairly exposed. There are bathrooms throughout the park. The nearest bathroom to the project site may be a short drive away.

If you enjoy trail construction, you can view similar projects here.

Where You'll Be: 

The BLM’s Pronghorn trail system, totaling 9.5 miles of purpose-built single track trails, was constructed in the summer of 2016. The natural surface trails are rated intermediate to advanced for mountain bikers but are also frequented by hikers and equestrians.

For visitors, this trail has long, mostly gradual climbs and descents. The area has a mix of rock features, canyons, and big vistas of San Francisco Creek, the San Luis Valley and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range. Designed as one large loop, the climbs and descents are longer than many in the area and also has some excellent lower watershed features. Mule deer, elk, falcons, hawks, and other bird species, desert flowers, grasses and reptiles inhabit the area.

Nearest town: Del Norte

The exact location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project. 

What You'll Do: 

Join fellow volunteers for a weekend in the San Luis Valley, giving some love to one of the valley's favorite, local trail systems.

The work will include general maintenance tasks such as tread, corridor and drainage work. This trail is especially popular with mountain bikers, and some sections will also include handcrafting new mountain bike features! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trail builder, there’s a role for everyone. Expect about a one mile hike to reach the work site.

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.  

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive 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: 

Trails need maintenance once they are constructed to minimize soil erosion, to keep obstacles off them, and to keep them well defined so users can easily follow them. Even sustainably built trails need maintenance over time.

With limited resources from land management agencies, volunteers and local organizations are tasked with maintaining the local trail systems we love so dearly. This work will ensure the Pronghorn trail system continues to provide the intended user experience while keeping people, wildlife, and habitats safe.

What's to love about this project? 

There will be a fun mix trail maintenance and hands on feature building, including mountain bike specific work The chance to hike, run, or ride the trail system before or after the project - be sure to bring your hiking gear or mountain bike!  A great way to celebrate National Trails Day by giving back to a hometown trail system people love After registering, you are encouraged to pledge your volunteer day on the National Trails Day website for a chance to win premium gear prize packsEligibility 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; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Physical Considerations: moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.

Accessibility Factors:  

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible  

Other Notes: Tent camping OK. Car and Van camping OK. Large vehicles or tow-behinds may be accommodated, please contact Katie (katie@voc.org) to confirm availability. This project is at 8200 ft. elevation. Portable toilets and potable water will be available at camp.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! 

Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

If you enjoy trail construction projects, you can view similar projects here.

Where You'll Be:

Castlewood Canyon State Park, located southeast of the Denver Metro area, is known for its dramatic canyon landscape, layered rock formations, and connections to Colorado history. Trails crisscross the canyon’s rim and floor, offering hiking opportunities with views of the canyon, nearby mountains, and the rolling hills of Parker and Franktown. Volunteers will work along the Creek Bottom Trail, a two-mile trail that follows Cherry Creek from the north end of the canyon to the historic ruins of Castlewood Dam.

What You'll Do:

This trail provides access to Cherry Creek Falls, one of the park’s most visited destinations. In 2023, a major flood event caused significant erosion through the canyon. Portions of the trail were washed away, including a cliffside section that is no longer safe for public use.

To address this, the park is building a new reroute of approximately one-quarter mile to restore safe access through the area. Volunteers will help construct 700 to 800 feet of the new trail reroute. Work will include new trail construction and substantial rock work, with a focus on building rock steps.

This project offers a chance to practice trail construction skills while contributing to a high-priority repair in a heavily used state park.

Why It Matters:

This reroute will vastly improve visitor safety and experience by ensuring a long-term safe and sustainable route along the Creek Bottom Trail. This reroute will also move the trail away from an area prone to erosion. This project is a good opportunity to have a variety of trail construction skill levels and help build a high-priority reroute in a highly visited park.

Eligibility Requirements:Ages 14+

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

Project Difficulty: 

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

General physical considerations for participating on this project (Some or all may apply): moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.

Access Factors:

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible.

Other Notes: Volunteers will hike about a quarter of a mile from the parking lot to the project's site. Restrooms are available in the parking lot.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

If you enjoy trail construction projects, you can view similar projects here.

Where You'll Be:

Red Rocks Park, known for its remarkable landscape of red sandstone outcroppings, is a true Colorado landmark. It's a world-famous concert venue and home to awe-inspiring hiking and biking trails perfect for exploring the geology, forests, wildflowers, and wildlife, with views of Denver and beyond. The park's trail system provides access to some of the most spectacular views of Denver and the Front Range.

What You'll Do:

Help construct a new trail reroute on the Geologic Overlook Trail at the famous Red Rocks Park! Due to its proximity to Denver, trails at Red Rocks see unprecedented foot traffic. The section of new trail that volunteers will help construct will help keep users on the correct trail and off of surrounding delicate plant species, as well as make it more sustainable and mitigating future erosion issues.

Why It Matters:

Volunteers will enhance trail safety and sustainability, helping to protect the diverse flora and fauna in this natural getaway just a short trip from the Denver metro area.

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/or stretch.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible 

Other Notes: Cell service may be spotty in this area.

If you like to volunteer on weekdays, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

Button Rock Preserve is a 3,000-acre nature preserve outside of Lyons that protects the primary drinking water source for more than 110,000 Boulder County residents. The area supports passive recreation like hiking, rock climbing, and fishing along North St. Vrain Creek, Longmont Reservoir, and Ralph Price Reservoir. Volunteers will work in a scenic, high-use recreation area while helping care for an important community resource.

Nearest town: Lyons

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will support trail restoration work along the South Cove Trail at Button Rock Preserve.

The focus is on approximately 720 feet of trail that is severely undercut and collapsing into the reservoir, creating safety, access, and water quality concerns. Tasks may include defining trail tread, improving drainage for water to flow off the trail, building small reroutes, and assisting with retaining wall construction to stabilize eroding sections. This is a technical trail project in steep terrain and requires focused, hands-on work.

Why It Matters: 

South Cove Trail’s condition directly affects visitor safety, water quality, and access within a high-use recreation area. Restoring this trail segment will reduce erosion into the reservoir, improve safety for hikers, and support long-term stewardship and infrastructure resilience at Button Rock Preserve. 

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive 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.

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 Difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

Physical Considerations:  

This work may include kneeling, bending, and working close to the ground for extended periods; exposure to sun and outdoor elements; exposure to insects such as bees and wasps; carrying and placing heavy materials like rocks and logs; digging and shoveling; and working near water with potentially muddy or slippery footing. Volunteers should be prepared for a 6.5 to 7-hour workday that requires physical stamina, with breaks encouraged as needed.

Access Factors:  

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible  

Other Notes: Cell service may be spotty in this area.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

On this project, you'll join us just outside of Granby to work on a rare trail system reserved for hikers and equestrians. Unlike many nearby trails, this landscape does not allow off-highway vehicles or mountain bikes, because the BLM has designated it as part of the Headwaters Extensive Recreation Management Area (ERMA), which aims to prioritize resource protection and low-impact recreation. 

Although impacted by the East Troublesome Wildfire in 2020, the area remains a meaningful destination for outdoor recreation. The hike to the worksite is moderately challenging and offers scenic views without wearing you out before the workday begins. This project is close to the town of Granby, Grand Lake, and the town of Hot Sulfur Springs.

What You’ll Do: 

In 2025, VOC and BLM partnered on a successful weekend project to install tread-stability structures along the first mile of the trail up to the hogback summit. On the west side of the Hogback, trail users have created a steep shortcut that abandons the original alignment and is unsafe and unsuitable for equestrian use. One of the primary goals of the Headwaters ERMA is to provide safe hiking and equestrian access for the general public.

VOC volunteers will help expand, define, and finish the reroute. This project offers a hands-on opportunity to learn introductory trail construction skills while contributing to a long-term solution.

VOC provides breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, and dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.   Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive 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: 

The Headwaters ERMA area has very few official access points and the Hogback Trail in its current condition is not sustainable or safe for users. Improvement of this trail will allow greater access by the public and other user groups to access this spectacular recreational opportunity in a more safe manner.  

The Hogback Trail and surrounding ERMA are located within the East Troublesome wildfire burn scar, where soil degradation and erosion remain ongoing concerns. The BLM's Kremmling Field Office is working to stabilize damaged trail segments and restore this area to a higher standard than before the fire. Your work directly supports those efforts.

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; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

General physical considerations for participating on this project. Some or all may apply: moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.    

Access Factors:  

Vehicle Access: Parking is available and accessible to all vehicle types. The worksite will be a 5 minute drive from the campsite. 

Other Notes: The worksite will be a 1 mile hike from the trailhead. There is cell service at the site. While the project takes place below tree line, it is located within the East Troublesome burn scar so the area is very exposed.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

Want to learn more about the trail maintenance techniques you will use on this project? Join us for a Trail Skills training in Granby on the Friday before the project. Learn more and register here.

Where You’ll Be: 

A quick drive from Denver, Golden Gate Canyon State Park spans 12,000 acres, and features trails that pass through varied landscapes, including forests, rocky peaks, and aspen-lined meadows. The park attracts nearly 1 million visitors annually, offering opportunities for activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Expect beautiful scenery, rock formations, and the possibility of wildlife sightings, such as deer, elk, and various birds.

Nearest town: Golden, CO 80403

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

This trail project is all about building a more sustainable route in a popular part of the park. The focus is on enhancing sustainability, with tasks ranging from moderate to challenging, including: 

trail construction, rock wall building, and creating switchbacks for those seeking a technical challenge.

No trail building experience is required, just the desire to learn and give back to a well-loved State Park. 

Please bring your own lunch for the day! 

Why It Matters: 

High visitation at Golden Gate Canyon State Park means heavy wear on trails, especially along the Raccoon Trail near Reverend’s Ridge Campground and Panorama Point. This section is steep and has ongoing sustainability and safety challenges for visitors.

In 2020, volunteers began a long-term effort to close the unsustainable trail segment and build a safer, more sustainable reroute. By joining this project, you will be contributing to a six-year effort that improves trail safety and protects the park experience for years to come.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 16+  

Project Difficulty: 

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

General physical considerations for participating on this project may include moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, and moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; hiking to the work site while carrying tools; bending, picking up objects, carrying tools, swinging heavier tools, digging, and stretching.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Accessibility: 2WD Accessible  

Other Notes: There is limited cell service.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling!  Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project)

If you enjoy trail construction projects, you can view similar projects here.

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be:  

State Forest State Park spans 71,000 acres of rugged Colorado wilderness, featuring dense forests, jagged peaks, and pristine alpine lakes. The American Lakes Trail, where you’ll be working, has grown in popularity due to its high-alpine scenery and access to three stunning lakes. It’s a sought-after destination for backpackers and serves as a gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park via Thunder Pass. In winter, part of the trail is groomed for snowmobiling.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will help complete a long-term trail reroute on the American Lakes Trail by constructing new trail to replace an eroded section located on an old logging road. This hands-on work will improve trail sustainability and protect the surrounding landscape. VOC originally built much of this reroute trail in the early 2000s, and volunteers have recently returned over the past four seasons to address ongoing erosion issues. Since 2023, crews have completed maintenance and nearly 600 feet of new reroute, with 260 feet left before this section can open to the public. Join us to help finish this important reroute.

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with dinner on Friday and Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Thursday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.

As part of this three-day project, you will backpack 3.5 miles to base camp, where volunteers are encouraged to arrive before 8 pm on Thursday. Free campsites are available on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

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:  

Because the State Forest State Park is a popular destination in the summer and winter months, attracting hundreds of visitors each week during peak periods, many of these visitors use the trail system and camp or stay in nearby campgrounds or privately owned cabins. Many of these visitors will use the American Lakes Trail and will appreciate a much safer, more sustainable trail.

The trail reroute will improve the recreational experience for equestrians and mountain bikers by providing a safer, more comfortable route, free of a steep section with deep erosion channels and loose rock.

Eligibility Requirements:   

Ages 18+   

Project Difficulty: 

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

General physical considerations for participating on this project. Some or all may apply: moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.

Volunteers will hike 3.5 miles to base camp on the first day and must commit to all three days of the project.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Accessibility:  2WD Accessible

Other notes:   Volunteers will be required to attend all three days of the project. There is no cell service at the site.

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

Cal-Wood Education Center is nestled in the foothills above Boulder, near Jamestown. Cal-Wood's vision is to inspire a greater appreciation for the natural world; to offer environmental education to those who would not otherwise experience it; and to provide unique educational opportunities in a special mountain setting.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will be working to help improve Cal-Wood Education Center's trail system, which has been degraded by dramatic increases in use, a flood in 2013, and the 2021 Calwood fire.

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.

Please bring your own lunch for the day! 

Why It Matters: 

Cal-Wood relies on its trail system as an extension of the classroom. These trails give students and visitors safe access to forests, watersheds, and fire-affected landscapes where hands-on learning happens. Improving the trails makes it possible for Cal-Wood to expand outdoor education programs, reach more participants, and create positive first experiences for people who may be new to mountain environments.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 12+ 

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

Project Difficulty: 

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

General physical considerations for participating on this project. Some or all may apply: hiking to access work site while carrying tools, digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks, removing downed trees. You’ll be working around a 6.5-7-hour day which requires some physical stamina, but you’ll always be encouraged to take breaks as needed

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: Please note that the final stretch (approx. 2.8 mi) to Cal-Wood is a steep dirt road. No high clearance is needed but it is suggested to drive slowly and safely. 

Other Notes: Cell phone service is extremely limited in the area.

Where You’ll Be: 

Tucked in the mountains west of Colorado Springs near Divide, Mueller State Park features beautiful views of forested ridges, historical cabins, and abundant wildlife including moose, bear, elk, and mule deer. While many of the park's trails trace back to the days of farming and cattle drives, they need restoration to enhance the overall hiking experience. As a volunteer, you'll be treated to free campsites, delicious meals prepared by our volunteer Crew Chefs, and the chance to explore this beautiful state park!   

Nearest Town: Divide, CO 80814

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Before the VOC project weekend, park staff will use machinery to establish the initial alignment of the new Preachers Hollow Trail. Volunteers will then step in to do the hands-on finishing work.

Tasks may include:

cutting back slope, shaping and finishing the trail tread, placing natural materials to improve durability, and restoring sections of the old trail that will be closed.

This work will help bring the trail up to standards for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. The existing trail has steep grades, poor drainage, and more than 60 steps, which makes it difficult to maintain and inaccessible for some users. Volunteers will help improve drainage and trail layout so the new alignment sheds water properly and requires less maintenance over time. The result will be a safer, more sustainable loop near the Visitor Center that better supports a wide range of users.

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.  

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive 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: 

Realigning the trail will create a safer, more accessible route for all users. Horses will be able to travel the trail without risk from stairs, mountain bikers will be able to ride the full loop instead of dismounting, and hikers will benefit from a smoother, more intuitive trail experience. Improved drainage and a more sustainable layout will also reduce erosion, protect native vegetation, and lower long-term maintenance needs, helping the park provide a safer and more durable trail system for years to come.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 14+ 

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

Project Difficulty: 

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

General physical considerations for participating on this project. Some or all may apply: moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch. 

Access Factors:  

Vehicle Access: The park and campsite are 2WD accessible. 

Other Notes: the worksite will be about a 1 mile to 1.5 mile hike from the Visitor’s Center or the campsite. There are bathrooms located at both the campsite and the Visitor’s Center.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

If you enjoy trail construction, you can view similar projects here. 

Where You’ll Be: 

Signature Bluffs Natural Area is a riparian and wetland natural area along the Cache la Poudre River with soft-surface trails, cottonwood stands, cattail marshes, and a pond where fishing is allowed with a valid Colorado license. The site is well known for wildlife and bird watching and connects directly with the Poudre River Trail for extended hiking or biking. The exact meeting location will be shared via email at least seven days prior to the project. 

What You’ll Do:  

Volunteers will help improve visitor access while protecting sensitive habitat at Signature Bluffs. Work will focus on closing and revegitating informal social trails around the lake to reduce habitat disturbance and support native vegetation recovery.

Volunteers will also improve the designated primitive trail by widening and defining it, creating a safer and more welcoming route to fishing access points. This project is a good fit for new volunteers and anyone interested in learning more about trail restoration.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

Why It Matters: 

Informal trails can fragment habitat and impact wildlife and native plants. By restoring these areas and improving designated trails, this project helps protect sensitive ecosystems while guiding visitors to enjoy the landscape in a sustainable way. The work completed at Signature Bluffs supports long-term habitat health, safer recreation, and a better experience for everyone who uses the area. 

Eligibility Requirements:  

Ages 12+

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

Project Difficulty:  

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

The following are general physical considerations for this type of work. Some or all may apply. Volunteers can expect kneeling, bending, and working close to the ground for extended periods.

Work takes place outdoors with exposure to sun, weather, and insects such as bees and wasps. Tasks may include carrying, hauling, and placing heavy materials like logs, branches, rocks, and fencing, as well as digging, shoveling, and moving soil and rocks. Some work will take place near water, where footing may be muddy or slippery.

This is a 6.5 to 7 hour workday that requires some physical stamina, and volunteers are always encouraged to take breaks as needed.

Access Factors:   

Vehicle Access:  No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible  

Other Notes: Cell service may be spotty in this area.

Where You’ll Be: 

A quick drive from Denver, Golden Gate Canyon State Park spans 12,000 acres, and features trails that pass through varied landscapes, including forests, rocky peaks, and aspen-lined meadows. The park attracts nearly 1 million visitors annually, offering opportunities for activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Expect beautiful scenery, rock formations, and the possibility of wildlife sightings, such as deer, elk, and various birds.

What You’ll Do:

This trail project is all about building a more sustainable route in a popular part of the park. The focus is on enhancing sustainability, with tasks ranging from moderate to challenging, including: 

trail construction, rock wall building, and creating switchbacks for those seeking a technical challenge.

No trail building experience is required, just the desire to learn and give back to a well-loved State Park. 

Please bring your own lunch for the day! 

Why It Matters: 

High visitation at Golden Gate Canyon State Park means heavy wear on trails, especially along the Raccoon Trail near Reverend’s Ridge Campground and Panorama Point. This section is steep and has ongoing sustainability and safety challenges for visitors.

In 2020, volunteers began a long-term effort to close the unsustainable trail segment and build a safer, more sustainable reroute. By joining this project, you will be contributing to a six-year effort that improves trail safety and protects the park experience for years to come.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 16+  

Project Difficulty: 

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

General physical considerations for participating on this project may include moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, and moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; hiking to the work site while carrying tools; bending, picking up objects, carrying tools, swinging heavier tools, digging, and stretching.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Accessibility: 2WD Accessible  

Other Notes: There is limited cell service.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project)

If you enjoy trail construction projects, you can view similar projects here.

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

Signature Bluffs Natural Area is a riparian and wetland natural area along the Cache la Poudre River with soft-surface trails, cottonwood stands, cattail marshes, and a pond where fishing is allowed with a valid Colorado license. The site is well known for wildlife and bird watching and connects directly with the Poudre River Trail for extended hiking or biking. The exact meeting location will be shared via email at least seven days prior to the project. 

What You’ll Do:  

Volunteers will help improve visitor access while protecting sensitive habitat at Signature Bluffs. Work will focus on closing and revegitating informal social trails around the lake to reduce habitat disturbance and support native vegetation recovery.

Volunteers will also improve the designated primitive trail by widening and defining it, creating a safer and more welcoming route to fishing access points. This project is a good fit for new volunteers and anyone interested in learning more about trail restoration.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

Why It Matters: 

Informal trails can fragment habitat and impact wildlife and native plants. By restoring these areas and improving designated trails, this project helps protect sensitive ecosystems while guiding visitors to enjoy the landscape in a sustainable way. The work completed at Signature Bluffs supports long-term habitat health, safer recreation, and a better experience for everyone who uses the area. 

Eligibility Requirements:  

Ages 12+

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

Project Difficulty:  

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

The following are general physical considerations for this type of work. Some or all may apply. Volunteers can expect kneeling, bending, and working close to the ground for extended periods. Work takes place outdoors with exposure to sun, weather, and insects such as bees and wasps. Tasks may include carrying, hauling, and placing heavy materials like logs, branches, rocks, and fencing, as well as digging, shoveling, and moving soil and rocks. Some work will take place near water, where footing may be muddy or slippery. This is a 6.5 to 7 hour workday that requires some physical stamina, and volunteers are always encouraged to take breaks as needed.

Access Factors:   

Vehicle Access:  No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible  

Other Notes: Cell service may be spotty in this area.

Where You'll Be:

The Southern Plains Land Trust was founded in 1998 to protect and restore shortgrass prairie across the Southern Great Plains. Today, SPLT stewards more than 60,000 acres of protected land in southeast Colorado, where they focus on ecological restoration, reintroducing keystone species like black-tailed prairie dogs and American bison, and connecting local communities to the land through education and outreach.

This project takes place at the Purgatoire River Preserve, a newly protected 493-acre property in Bent County. Acquired by SPLT in January 2025, the Preserve is intended to protect the Boggsville National Historic Site, provide public access to the Purgatoire River, and create a new outdoor recreation resource for Las Animas and surrounding communities.

Nearest town: Las Animas

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You'll Do: 

Volunteers will help build a new soft-surface trail on the Purgatoire River Preserve, just south of Las Animas. This trail segment will provide river access and connect to an existing trail at Boggsville.

Trail work will include:

digging and shaping tread, spreading crushed gravel, and moving trail materials along the corridor.

The goal of this project is to complete a segment of trail that provides access to the Purgatoire River and connects to an existing trail in Boggsville. This is foundational work on a brand-new preserve, and volunteers will play a key role in creating the first public trail access at this site.

VOC provides breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, and dinner on Saturday.

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

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive 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:

Trail development at the Purgatoire River Preserve was guided by a community planning process in Las Animas that identified local recreation needs and priorities. This project represents the first step in creating a new recreational and educational opportunity in southeast Colorado. The trail design considers a wide range of users and mobility needs, helping ensure the Preserve is welcoming and accessible to the broader community from the start.

Eligibility Requirements:

Ages 14+

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

Project Difficulty:

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

General physical considerations for participating on this project (Some or all may apply): moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving trail material; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.

Access Factors:

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible

Other Notes: Limited to no cell service.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

Join us for this intentional outdoor experience to celebrate women in trail work. If you are unsure if this project is for you, please call us at (303) 715-1010 ext. 111.

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 offers access to many popular trails, including Sage, Eagle, Cobalt, and Left Hand.

What You'll Do:

Volunteers will help with the construction of the Hidden Valley Trail reroute. Work will include clearing vegetation to make way for the trail, digging and removing dirt to reach the proper trail level, and fine-tuning to create a smooth trail tread and a surface that drains properly.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

Why It Matters:

This trail reroute is part of a larger trail improvement plan for the western Boulder Valley Ranch area north of the city. These projects aim to improve outdoor experiences, increase trail sustainability, and increase bicycling trail access while protecting wildlife and plant habitats in the area.

Eligibility Requirements:

Ages 14+ 

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

Physical Difficulty:

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

General physical considerations for participating in this project (Some or all may apply): moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.

Access Factors:

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible

Other Notes: There will be about a half-mile hike from the parking lot to the work site. The worksite is sun-exposed.

Want to learn the basics of trail work or brush up on your trail skills ahead of the project? Join us at our Celebrating Women in Trails: Trail Skills Training @ Jamestown on May 30!

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 offers access to many popular trails, including Sage, Eagle, Cobalt, and Left Hand.

What You'll Do:

Volunteers will help with the construction of the Hidden Valley Trail reroute. Work will include clearing vegetation to make way for the trail, digging and removing dirt to reach the proper trail level, and fine-tuning to create a smooth trail tread and a surface that drains properly.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

Why It Matters:

This trail reroute is part of a larger trail improvement plan for the western Boulder Valley Ranch area north of the city. These projects aim to improve outdoor experiences, increase trail sustainability, and increase bicycling trail access while protecting wildlife and plant habitats in the area.

Eligibility Requirements:

Ages 14+ 

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

Physical Difficulty:

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

General physical considerations for participating on this project (Some or all may apply): moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.

Access Factors:

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible

Other Notes: There will be about a half-mile hike from the parking lot to the work site. The worksite is sun-exposed.

Where You’ll Be: 

Button Rock Preserve is a 3,000-acre nature preserve outside of Lyons that protects the primary drinking water source for more than 110,000 Boulder County residents. The area supports passive recreation like hiking, rock climbing, and fishing along North St. Vrain Creek, Longmont Reservoir, and Ralph Price Reservoir. Volunteers will work in a scenic, high-use recreation area while helping care for an important community resource.

Nearest town: Lyons

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will support trail restoration work along the South Cove Trail at Button Rock Preserve.

The focus is on approximately 720 feet of trail that is severely undercut and collapsing into the reservoir, creating safety, access, and water quality concerns. Tasks may include defining trail tread, improving drainage for water to flow off the trail, building small reroutes, and assisting with retaining wall construction to stabilize eroding sections. This is a technical trail project in steep terrain and requires focused, hands-on work.

Why It Matters: 

South Cove Trail’s condition directly affects visitor safety, water quality, and access within a high-use recreation area. Restoring this trail segment will reduce erosion into the reservoir, improve safety for hikers, and support long-term stewardship and infrastructure resilience at Button Rock Preserve. 

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive 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.

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 Difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

Physical Considerations:  

This work may include kneeling, bending, and working close to the ground for extended periods; exposure to sun and outdoor elements; exposure to insects such as bees and wasps; carrying and placing heavy materials like rocks and logs; digging and shoveling; and working near water with potentially muddy or slippery footing. Volunteers should be prepared for a 6.5 to 7-hour workday that requires physical stamina, with breaks encouraged as needed.

Access Factors:  

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible  

Other Notes: Cell service may be spotty in this area.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.

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 offers access to many popular trails, including Sage, Eagle, Cobalt, and Left Hand.

What You'll Do:

Volunteers will help with the construction of the Hidden Valley Trail reroute. Work will include clearing vegetation to make way for the trail, digging and removing dirt to reach the proper trail level, and fine-tuning to create a smooth trail tread and a surface that drains properly.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

Why It Matters:

This trail reroute is part of a larger trail improvement plan for the western Boulder Valley Ranch area north of the city. These projects aim to improve outdoor experiences, increase trail sustainability, and increase bicycling trail access while protecting wildlife and plant habitats in the area.

Eligibility Requirements:

Ages 14+ 

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

Physical Difficulty:

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

General physical considerations for participating on this project (Some or all may apply): moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.

Access Factors:

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible

Other Notes: There will be about a half-mile hike from the parking lot to the work site. The worksite is sun-exposed.