Colorado Trail Volunteer Trail Crews

Trail Crew Volunteers build and improve The Colorado Trail. Each summer, The Colorado Trail Foundation organizes around 20 volunteer trail work efforts we call Trail Crews. Most are weekend or weeklong efforts for which volunteers sign up in advance. The CTF provides information about what to bring and where to meet, as well as providing the food, group equipment, tools, training and leadership. Volunteers meet at camp and work together to improve The Colorado Trail.

Trail Crew volunteers enjoy the outdoors and value giving back to the Trail. They have fun and find it rewarding. They like meeting new people, working on a project together as teammates, and accomplishing the task of improving the Trail. Volunteers enjoy the Colorado mountains, group meals, good company, and learning.

Trail Crew Volunteers finish building a cairn

Please consider joining us this summer as a Trail Crew Volunteer. We look forward to seeing you and our other Friends of The Colorado Trail. We need your help and truly appreciate you volunteering your time and effort.

Here are more details:

It's easy to join us on a Trail Crew. Review the 2008 Trail Crew Schedule and sign up using the registration form. The CTF charges nominal fees for participation: $50 per week or $25 per weekend. This money helps cover some of our food costs. Any volunteer who joins us for a second Trail Crew in a summer isn't required to pay a second fee.

Each fall, the CTF develops next season's Trail Crew schedule. We carefully consider the Trail needs, special projects, locations and access. Our Volunteer Operations Coordinator schedules Trail Crew efforts to accomplish the highest priority improvements. The schedule is refined so that the CTF is able to support each Crew with equipment and leadership. This planning is done in cooperation with the U S Forest Service and other land managers.

Volunteers provide their own transportation to camp, although the CTF is sometimes able to assist with carpooling, etc. At camp, the CTF furnishes food, cooking utensils, hard hats, tools, supplies, leaders and instructions. Participants share the tasks of setting camp, daily chores, meal preparation and cleanup.

Trail Crew Volunteers building a rock cairn

Weeklong crews meet early Saturday afternoon and receive instruction and safety training on Sunday. The Crew works on the Trail Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday is left free for hiking, fishing, resting or enjoying the outdoors. Work resumes on Thursday and usually ends with an abbreviated day on Friday. The week ends Saturday morning after packing up the equipment.

Weekend crews assemble Friday evening or early Saturday, work energetically, and wind up the effort on Sunday afternoon.

The Crew Schedule indicates which crews are Drive-in, Jeep-in, and Backpack-in.

Drive-in: Crews located where a conventional auto can be driven directly to the campsite.

Jeep-in: Where the camp is not accessible by conventional vehicles or muddy roads preclude taking conventional vehicles to the camp. If you have a 4wd vehicle you may drive yourself and others to the camp if parking is available. Assistance will be given to those without 4wd vehicles.

Backpack-in: Camps with no road access. You pack your own gear into these camps. Pack animals are sometimes used to carry in the group equipment.

Crew Schedule

Click here to see the 2008 Volunteer Trail Crew Schedule.

To Sign Up

Complete the simple Registration Form and Waiver. Indicate your choice of dates and work locations (you can join more than one crew). If more than one person is registering, use separate forms for each person.
Complete the fee portion of the Registation Form along with your check or credit card info. The fee of $50 for weeklong or $25 per weekend helps the CTF with costs of food and supplies. You may participate in additional crews for a single fee.
Mail completed forms with payment to:

The Colorado Trail Foundation
710 10th Street #210
Golden, CO 80401

Crews are filled first come first served. The registration fee becomes non-refundable once you are confirmed for one of your requested crews.

Registrar Confirmation

We will confirm your registration in writing within 30 days. If you provide us with an email address you will receive this confirmation via email. Later we will send you directions to your crew’s meeting place. About 4 weeks before your crew begins we will send a packet containing details of what to bring, emergency telephone numbers, and a crew roster, should you want to share a ride, need a ride, etc.

Volunteer Requirements

To work on a trail crew you must be at least 16 years of age and in good physical condition; younger people will be accepted if accompanied by an adult. (Our experience indicates caution about bringing children since most find all-day trail building boring.) No previous trail building experience is required. All you need to bring are your sleeping bag, tent, eating utensils, work clothing and personal items.

2007 Crew Reports

Click here to view the 2007 Volunteer Trail Crew Reports and view photos.