Volunteer Program Overview

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The Colorado State Parks Volunteer Program “supports the achievement of quality outdoor recreation experiences and resource stewardship for present and future generations.” Volunteers help achieve this mission by assisting staff with all park related activities. They also tremendously supplement the capacity of Colorado State Parks.

Colorado State Parks has a long and rich history of utilizing volunteers as members of our Parks team. Some of our individual parks have actually had volunteers involved for over 20 years! In 2003, a statewide volunteer program initiative was launched to take advantage of this strong foundation. A Volunteer Program Committee, made up of a variety of park staff and volunteers from across the state, helped to craft the mission and vision for our statewide program and to set priorities for the Volunteer Program Five-Year Strategic Plan  and long-term success.

In 2007, volunteers contributed nearly 200,527 hours of service to our agency. Volunteers perform tasks ranging from campground hosts and naturalists, to photographers and bike patrollers. Each year individual and group volunteers are needed throughout the state to support both short and long term volunteer events and special projects. Since volunteers play such an essential role in helping State Parks achieve a high quality of outdoor recreation experiences and resource stewardship, it’s fortunate that State Parks happen to provide wonderful locations to attract potential volunteers like you. We are committed to involving volunteers in all facets of our organization and to providing an alluring and rewarding experience. Our vision is:

“Through meaningful integration of volunteers, Colorado State Parks will provide extraordinary visitor services and remarkable stewardship of our natural resources.”