Opportunities From: Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Where You’ll Be: 

Join us in the beautiful Headwaters Extensive Recreation Management Area (ERMA) and help work on a rare trail in a region that is reserved for hikers and equestrians. Unlike other nearby spots, this area offers an escape without the presence of off-highway vehicles or mountain bikers. 

Though impacted by the East Troublesome Wildfire in 2020, the area remains a special destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Nestled just minutes from the town of Granby and a short drive from Grand Lake, it’s conveniently located for both adventure and amenities. The hike to the work site is just challenging enough to offer a sense of accomplishment and stunning views without tiring you out before the trail work begins. 

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will help improve trails damaged by erosion and wildfire. Tasks include hardening trail tread, installing check steps, and building new trail segments to reroute steep, unsustainable sections. Your work will directly enhance access for hikers, equestrians, and wildlife enthusiasts. 

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

Bring your own dinner for Friday night, lunch for Saturday, 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: 

The Headwaters ERMA sees approximately 10,000 visitors annually, and the trails play a vital role in providing safe and enjoyable access for recreationists, equestrians, and hunters. Current trail conditions are steep, heavily eroded, and worsen each spring with runoff. This project will stabilize and improve the trails, ensuring they remain sustainable and accessible for years to come. 

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 will be expected to hike approximately two miles of a moderate hike at elevation to reach the work site. 

Access Factors:   

Vehicle Accessibility:    2WD Accessible – no vehicle restrictions   

Other notes:  A port-o-let will be provided. The area also features excellent hiking with gorgeous views of the Rockies and is close to Granby and Grand Lake for any additional needs or amenities.

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).

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: 

Strawberry Lake Trail, located in the Arapaho National Recreation Area, is a popular hike in Grand County. Its proximity to the Monarch Lake Trailhead, Indian Peaks Wilderness trails, and Lake Granby makes it a common alternative for visitors when nearby parking lots fill up.   The trail leads to a fragile sub-alpine lake surrounded by a wetland fen ecosystem that supports rare plants, insects, and small mammals. It also connects to the larger, remote Strawberry Creek trail system.  The campsite overlooks Lake Granby, which is just a brief 5-minute walk away and offers opportunities for fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more. A port-a-john will be available, and the towns of Granby and Grand Lake are only a 10-minute drive in either direction. 

This project is made possible with support from the Rendezvous Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to strengthening the Grand County community.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will construct a turnpike, rock/timber steps, and drainage improvements to enhance the trail and protect the surrounding ecosystem. Tasks include debarking logs, collecting fill materials (rock and dirt), and constructing the steps and turnpike (turnpikes are used to elevate a trail above wet ground).  

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: 

Increased use of the Strawberry Lake Trail has caused significant erosion, creation of social trails, and damage to the fragile wetland ecosystem and watershed. This project will restore the trail, improve access, and protect the surrounding environment for future visitors. 

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 rated moderate to difficult. Check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.   

Physical Considerations:  

Volunteers will hike about 1.5 miles 

Constructing an estimated 100 feet of turnpike structures 

Building two 10-foot planked bridge spans 

Clearing up to 50 existing water drainage dips 

If time allows, constructing 10 to 15 rock or timber check steps 

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible – no vehicle restrictions.

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