FAQs for Trail Crews

You must register so that we can effectively plan for the number of volunteers expected with regard to tools, volunteer leaders, food, etc.

To secure your spot on the trail crew and help us cover the costs of providing a great experience (think planning, training, tools, and tasty meals!), we request a contribution of $25 for single days or overnights, $50 for backpacking, and $75 for basecamps. Since trail projects depend on full crews, please ensure you’re committed to attending before registering.

Registration is simple. Visit our volunteer trail crew page to review the full list and details of available crews. Then, click the button “SIGN UP!”. Once you complete the registration form, sign the necessary waivers, and pay the fee, you will receive a confirmation email. For questions or help registering, email ctf@coloradotrail.org .

Our projects rely on a set number of volunteers to be successful and depending on the location of the crew, there might be limitations on how many people are allowed to attend. For example, in Wilderness areas, groups are limited to a maximum of 15 people.

If the trail crew you are interested in is full, there is a place to select “Waitlist” while registering. Or we encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can! We often receive cancellations, so there is a good chance that you will be pulled off the waitlist.

Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email directly after. Approximately 4 weeks before the project is scheduled to begin, you will receive detailed project information such as a map pin showing the exact location of the project and where to meet, a map of the project site, when to arrive, what to bring, which meals will be provided, where to park, and information on overnight accommodations, if applicable.

It is up to volunteers to organize and manage their own carpooling. Please contact the Crew Leader for more details on the crew roster.

Please cancel your registration as soon as possible via email to ctf@coloradotrail.org so we can offer your spot to another volunteer, or adjust food and crew leader needs.

Projects are generally not canceled unless there are changes with our Federal partners, changes with our crew leadership, severe weather events, or extenuating circumstances. If this happens, we will inform all registered volunteers as soon as possible.

All of our volunteer projects are designed to follow the mission of The Colorado Trail Foundation to build and maintain the Colorado Trail. Specific types of work may include new trail construction, trail maintenance, building and rebuilding bridges, and trail hardening.

Please review the packing list that is provided approximately 4 weeks prior to the start of the trail crew. In general, trail crew members should bring work gloves, work shirt(s), work pant(s), backpack, water bottle, and sturdy shoes/boots for all projects.

All projects are located on The Colorado Trail and spread out from Denver to Durango. Our volunteer projects take place June through October, with each year’s project calendar announced in early spring. We have projects occurring on weekends, weekdays, and week-long options.

Some projects are only a single day, some are for a weekend, and others are a week long in duration. Project durations are noted within the project descriptions.

To help you find projects that fit your desired level of physical activity, please review the trail crew schedule. In general, backpack crews are the hardest and most physically demanding, whereas single day crews are the easiest and least physically demanding. Information in the schedule includes elevation levels as well as details about the distance from the meeting point to the worksite location.

Projects range from about 15 to 30 maximum participants. This number includes the crew leaders and crew cooks.

Our amazing volunteer cooks keep our basecamp crews fueled with delicious meals, in most circumstances, but if you have specific restrictions, please reach out. Extreme dietary restrictions may require you to bring your own food. Backpack crews will need to pack their own food and cooking equipment. For single-day projects, meals are usually not provided unless we say otherwise.

Volunteers are expected to stay for the duration of the entire project.

CTF 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. On each project, you will work on a trail crew led by an experienced CTF volunteer crew leader who will teach you all you need to know and help you have a safe, fun, and rewarding experience.

Depending on the availability of approved projects, it is possible for a company or group to join a crew. Please contact ops@coloradotrail.org to learn more about group volunteering.

If they are under 18 years old, they must have a parent or guardian with them at all times.

For a Single Day crew, kids must be at least 12 years old.

For a Basecamp crew, kids must be at least 14 years old.

For a Backpacking crew, kids must be at least 16 years old.

All participants, regardless of age, need to complete a registration form in order to sign up for a crew.

No. While we love our pets, we unfortunately cannot allow them on projects due to safety considerations, impact on wildlife, and other risks involved.

Yes! We are in need of people to assist with trail crew cooking, managing trail crew spice and cleaning bins, and/or taking photographs. Please see our section on other volunteer opportunities for more information.

CTF Crew Leaders are individuals in charge of the entire trail crew with pre/post communication and also with on-the-ground leadership during the event. Their main responsibilities are teaching crew members what they need to know and ensuring everyone has a safe, fun, and rewarding experience. Please contact ops@coloradotrail.org for more information on becoming a new Crew Leader.

Please email CTF@coloradotrail.org.