Opportunities From: Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

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: 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!

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.

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: