What's it like to give back with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado? Learn about our volunteer experience, who can volunteer, registration & cancellations, other ways to get involved and more!
You must register so that we can effectively plan for the number of volunteers expected with regard to tools, volunteer leaders, food, etc.
Create a new account at www.volunteervoc.org and then register for projects!
Step By Step:
For help registering, email outreach@voc.org or call 303-715-1010 ext. 111
You may need to reset your password to access your existing account. To do so, follow these steps:
For help registering, email outreach@voc.org or call 303-715-1010 ext. 111
Our projects rely on a set number of volunteers to be successful. We always receive cancellations, so there is a good chance that you will be pulled off the waitlist! If you want to know where you stand on the waitlist, contact us at 303-715-1010 ext. 111. We can tell you the status of the waitlist and/or help you find an open project.
Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email. Please read this for important post-registration instructions; you will also receive a reminder email approximately 4 weeks before the project.
You will then receive detailed project information approximately two weeks prior to the project, including directions to the project, a map of the project site, when to arrive, what to bring, what meals will be provided, where to park, and information on overnight accommodations, if applicable.
Please cancel your registration if you are confident you can't make it as soon as possible.
To cancel a registration:
View our visual guide on how to cancel.
If you have trouble canceling, please email outreach@voc.org or call 303-715-1010 ext. 111.
Projects are generally not canceled because of rain or light snow showers — weather conditions must be severe before we cancel or reschedule a project. If this happens, we will inform all registered volunteers as soon as possible. You may also call our Weather Cancellation Hotline at 303-715-1010 ext. 131 prior to any project.
Returning Volunteers: How to Activate & Update Your Volunteer Account
How to View & Register for VOC Projects
All of our volunteer projects are designed to protect, enhance, restore, and preserve Colorado’s natural places. Specific types of work may include trail construction and maintenance, gardening and planting, wildfire and flood restoration, invasive weed removal, ecological and habitat restoration, forestry management, and preservation of historic structures.
Please bring work gloves and click the appropriate link to find our full packing list required and recommended items for single-day projects, weekend camping projects, and multi-day backcountry projects.
Our volunteer projects take place April through October, with each year's project calendar announced in February. The majority of our projects take place on weekends, but we have several weekday and weeklong options as well.
These projects take place across the state of Colorado, often on public lands including national forests, state parks, and city- and county-managed open spaces. Some projects are in the city, while some are high in the mountains, in wilderness areas, or on the rural plains. To view upcoming project locations, visit our volunteer project calendar.
Some projects are only a half-day or a few hours in the evening; most are a full day or take place over a weekend or several days. Project durations are noted within the project descriptions.
Click here to view our full difficulty rating criteria sheet.
Projects range from 10 to 60 volunteers. If you have questions about a specific project, email outreach@voc.org or call 303-715-1010 ext. 111.
Meals are not be provided on single-day projects unless specified otherwise. Breakfast and dinner will be provided on overnight projects by our volunteer Crew Chefs, but volunteers are asked to provide their own lunch.
Volunteers are expected to stay for the duration of the entire project. However, some multi-day projects offer the opportunity to select the day(s) you wish to volunteer.
VOC provides campsites for all volunteers on overnight projects, though volunteers must bring their own tent and other camping supplies. You are also welcome to find alternate accommodations if you wish.
No. We offer volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities! On each project, you will work on a small crew led by an experienced VOC volunteer crew leader who will teach you all you need to know and help you have a safe, fun, and rewarding experience.
Please review VOC's Essential Eligibility Criteria for more information on the mental and physical requirements needed to ensure safety on VOC projects. These criteria are inteded to be helpful and constructive for all participants who are considering attending our programs, however they do not encompass every criteria or function of the various activities you may encounter on a given program. Please read individual project descriptions prior to registering to help you determine if you are eligible to volunteer.
Yes! We can accommodate groups on most volunteer projects, though the group size may vary depending on the project. Please contact us at outreach@voc.org or 303-715-1010 ext. 111 to learn more about group volunteering.
For groups of 15+ people, VOC offers custom Team Stewardship Day volunteer opportunities. Learn more about Team Stewardship Days.
The minimum age varies by project, based on the nature of the work and safety considerations. Volunteer opportunities are available for children as young as 6 years old; we recommend using the filters on our volunteer calendar to find appropriate volunteer opportunities.
Please note that youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older on single-day projects. All youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older on overnight projects.
No. While we love our pets, we unfortunately cannot allow them on projects due to safety considerations, their impact on wildlife, and other risks involved.
Yes! Whether you’re a student in need of community service hours or need to complete court-ordered community service for a non-violent offense, you can earn your hours on a VOC project. Learn more here.
Register for any project on our volunteer calendar and bring any paperwork you need signed to your project; a VOC project manager will sign off on your hours at the end of the project. Click here to learn more about the process.
Please note: youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult on single-day projects (16 & 17-year-olds must have signed adult permission), and minors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult on overnight projects.
Yes. We are often in need of people to assist with tool organization and transport, take photographs, or blog about projects! Check out our Volunteer Leadership & Project Support options here.
VOC projects rely on dedicated volunteers to serve as:
All volunteer leaders must undergo the proper training. Click here or contact Ben Kromash to learn more about these opportunities.
Yes! If you are unable to make our scheduled projects, you can help care for Colorado by:
Please email outreach@voc.org or call 303-715-1010 ext. 111.
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