VOC highlights different VOC leaders, in all capacities, so that we can share with you the inspiring work they do to care for Colorado's outdoors! Here, we'd like to recognize Paul Smith. 

Paul began volunteering with VOC in 1998 at an urban gardening project on Mt. Goliath, a mountain peak section of the Mount Evans area. Over the years, he has served as a Crew Leader, OSI Instructor, and Tool Manager on several VOC projects. His long-time career in facilities management has given him design and construction experience from the ground up, which nicely transfers to his hands-on work with VOC. In addition to volunteering for VOC, Paul is also active with other environmental stewardship organizations, including the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, Colorado State Parks (mostnotably Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado Springs), and the Colorado Trail Foundation. 

"I believe that people who live in a community should participate in a community. It's a civic duty, and volunteering is a great way to fulfill that duty," says Paul. A Coloradan since 1972, Paul enjoys the year-round recreation opportunities that the Rocky Mountains provide. "I like to play outside like everyone else. VOC's mission about motivating and enabling people to care for Colorado's natural resources really resonated with me, and is the main reason I decided to start volunteering."