2019-12-08 23:57:36
We don’t need to tell you Colorado is a pretty special place. And we don’t mind telling you that you’re a pretty special person if you want to help us keep it that way while you’re roaming around it. You already know that you can help ensure these places exist for generations to come by staying on roads and trails, keeping speeds in check, leaving campsites and picnic spots just as you found them, and following informational signs while you’re out and about in our state. But if you want a Colorado Gold Star to pin in your hiking cap/bicycle helmet/ski beanie, here are a few ways you can help steward the land with a distinct advantage — not only is your vacation a feel-good experience, you also get to see some of Colorado’s most beautiful scenery. 1 VOLUNTEERS FOR OUTDOOR COLORADO Download the YourCO app to find outdoor-volunteer opportunities in the areas you plan to visit, from trail restoration and construction to planting, fence removal and weed removal — many of the opportunities combine with activities like family camping, canoeing and more. No experience necessary! 2 COLORADO PUBLIC LANDS DAY Colorado is the first state to have an actual holiday recognizing the value of its public lands. The third Saturday in May each year (that’s May 16, 2020), events and celebrations include things like photo scavenger hunts, river clean-ups, fundraisers, trail projects, group hikes, astronomy programs and pairings of land stewardship and barbecues, beer samplings, story times and more. copubliclandsday.com 3 COLORADO FOURTEENERS INITIATIVE Colorado is endowed with 58 mountains whose peaks rise at least 14,000 feet above sea level. Adventure seekers have been challenging themselves to climb these behemoths for decades and the heavy foot traffic on these high-altitude trails can be hard on the ecosystems. Volunteer vacations range from three-day trail builds to wildflower-seed collection. 4 COLORADO TRAIL FOUNDATION The Colorado Trail stretches 500 miles from Denver to Durango. It’s a pathway for hikers who want to travel the majority of the state on foot, passing over mountains, around lakes and through a number of Colorado communities. Volunteers are continually working on maintaining its varied terrain. The foundation’s volunteer crews make improvements to the trail, and visitors to Colorado are welcome to take part in the weeklong trips. 5 CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL COALITION The Continental Divide Trail follows the United States’ claim to the Continental Divide from Montana to New Mexico. In all, more than 3,000 miles of hiking trails constitute this grand route. As with other trail-stewardship programs, no previous experience is required to help out. Projects range from repairing damaged sections to scouting missing trail links to building unfinished sections. OTHER IDEAS ► American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day (first Saturday in June) connects more people to the nation’s trails: nationaltrails day.americanhiking.org ► Friends of Dillon Ranger District coordinates projects each summer to construct new trails, install structures and maintain general drainage in Summit County’s forests: fdrd.org/volunteer ► Wildlands Restoration Volunteers organizes ecological-restoration projects from seed sowing and willow harvesting to flood and habitat restoration: wlrv.org ► The Greenway Foundation hosts two Family RiverSweeps per year, which involve a volunteer project at a Denver park, then games, crafts and lunch: thegreenwayfoundation.org ► Big City Mountaineers takes urban kids camping, and adults — even those without camping experience — can volunteer as counselors: bigcitymountaineers.org ► Colorado Parks & Wildlife has varied opportunities, from developing outdoor interpretive signs to removing invasive weeds: cpw.civicore.com/public ► Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon hosts weekly volunteer days at the Vail Nature Center for removing invasive plant species, planting native vegetation, cleaning up litter and building and improving local hiking trails: walkingmountains.org ► Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers hosts trail-restoration projects that range from one to four days: rfov.org EACH ITINERARY IN THE COLOROAD TRIPS COLLECTION (COLORADO.COM/COLOROADTRIPS) OFFERS AN IDEA FOR VOLUNTEERING OR CONTRIBUTING TO THE NATURAL AREAS MENTIONED. For more: COLORADO.com/Care SEE PAGE 17 FOR THE CARE FOR COLORADO PRINCIPLES.
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