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.

Trail crews will no longer require a crew fee. Instead, we require a $50 refundable deposit to hold your spot on the trail crew, which will be refunded upon successful completion of the crew. If you register and then decide not to attend the trail crew, your deposit will be forfeited. Please be sure you are committed to attending before registering so that we can ensure trail crews are fully attended in order to complete the trail project.

Registration is simple. Visit our volunteer trail crew page to review the full list and details of available trail crews. Then, click the link “CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS CREW”. Once you complete registration, you will receive a confirmation email. For help registering, email CTF@coloradotrail.org . For questions about trail crews, contact CTF Field Operations Manager Darin Radatz Darin@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, please email CTF@coloradotrail.org to be placed on the waitlist, 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 adjust food and crew leader needs, and offer your spot to another volunteer.

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.

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, work pants, 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 February. The majority of our projects take place on weekends, but we have several weekday and week-long options, as well.

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 listing. 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 listings to help with your decision making include elevation levels and also details relating to how far the hike in/out is from the meeting location and also how far of a hike in/out from the campsite to the worksite location.

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

Full meals are provided on all basecamp crews listed on the crew schedule by our volunteer crew cooks. Meals are not provided on single-day projects unless specified otherwise. Meals are not provided on backpack crews, and crew members are asked to provide their own meals and cooking equipment.

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.

Yes! CTF is now offering partnership crews as a new option for groups to come out to volunteer together. See the last 2 projects on the trail crew listing for reference. Please contact tisha@coloradotrail.org to learn more about group volunteering.

For small groups (less than 15), you can sign up individually and join the same trail crew. Crews will be filled on a first come, first serve basis, however. So sign up early!

Yes! CTF requires a parent or guardian to sign up together for a crew member less than 18 years old.

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! 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 darin@coloradotrail.org for more information on becoming a new Crew Leader.

Please email CTF@coloradotrail.org.