Volunteer
VOLUNTEER WITH LA VETA TRAILS
We rely on the generous support of volunteer stewards to help make the work we do possible. We offer many different ways to volunteer as a steward and would love to have you join us in whatever capacity makes sense to you and fits your needs! Sign up here.
LVT schedules stewardship workdays each year to restore, construct, and maintain public lands and trails in the Spanish Peaks region. LVT provides stewardship opportunities for a variety of volunteers ranging in age, skill level, and interest. Our expert field instructors lead volunteer stewards on days that not only accomplish impressive on-the-ground results, but are also a whole lot of fun. We couldn’t do what we do without volunteer stewards and would love for YOU to join us!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
VOLUNTEER STEWARD
We rely on the generous support of volunteer stewards to help make the work we do possible. We offer many different ways to volunteer as a steward and would love to have you join us in whatever capacity makes sense to you and fits your needs!
YOUTH STEWARD
We offer opportunities for youth to work outside and get hands-on training on leadership development, care and maintenance of trails and trail structures, and Leave No Trace.
ADOPT-A-TRAIL STEWARD
Trail Stewards are our front line adopt-a-trail-volunteers, keeping the trail passable and reporting trail conditions to LVT. By performing basic maintenance and reporting back to the office, Trail Stewards enable LVT to preserve trails in Huerfano County and the Spanish Peaks region. If you are interested in learning more about the gear volunteer position, you can read the entire description here!
SPANISH PEAKS WILDERNESSS STEWARD
In 2018, the U.S. Forest Service, San Carlos Ranger District, and La Veta Trails formed the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Stewards (SPWS), a cadre of trained volunteers dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of Wilderness trails to protect the character and health of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area. Our shared purpose has supported trail accessibility, community engagement, and growth of Wilderness stewardship capacity in the region.
SPWS crews perform three types of maintenance:
- Logging out involves cutting trees that have fallen across the trail due to winter and wind events. The blowdown forces users to hike off the designated trail, which causes the erosion of adjacent soil and sensitive plants. Regular maintenance protects the wilderness character. The primary tools are crosscut and hand saws.
- Brushing involves the removal of overhanging branches and saplings within the 8 x 10-foot trail corridor that impede trail users. The tools include loppers, pruners, and hand saws.
- Annual maintenance involves SPWS addressing any new issues that may have emerged over the winter. The purpose is to keep trails clear.
SPWS must be certified by the USFS in crosscut saw operations. If you are interested in learning more about the requirements for certification, you can read them here.
OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
- Volunteer to help us in the office
- We need Tool Volunteers — Commit 3 to 5 hours a month from February through mid-November to help with equipment maintenance. Some examples of duties include properly sharpening tools, cleaning tools and gear of mud/dirt/rust, applying oil to steel tools, sanding and/or re-oiling wooden handles. If you are interested in learning more about the gear volunteer position, you can read the entire description here!
- Volunteer as a photo or media volunteer
- If you have additional ideas to contribute to LVT’s mission and story, feel free to reach out to us!
We Love our Volunteers
Frequently Asked Questions
about volunteering with La Veta Trails
If you have a question not listed here, please contact us.
Most of our volunteer stewardship days are not suitable for children under 10. We host an annual summer Kiddie Crew for children under 10 to work with parents or grandparents to learn the importance of trails and maintaining them. Minors must be accompanied by an adult if participating in a stewardship day.
LVT wardship days are considered moderately strenuous or strenuous depending on project site and location. All workdays involve working in the outdoors for multiple hours with tools and often involve a walk or hike to and from the worksite from the parking area. Stewardship volunteers are encouraged to work at their own pace and breaks for lunch, snacks, and water are taken frequently and encouraged as needed. Those accustomed to a reasonable level of physical activity are able to take part in most of our projects. Certain days that require a longer, more strenuous hike or more physically demanding work tasks on variable terrain are recommended to those accustomed to a higher level of physical activity. Information regarding the physical demands of each project can be found in the workday descriptions on our calendar.
Stewardship volunteers are not required to have any prior experience. Our Field Coordinators will start each workday with an orientation, tool usage and safety talk, and provide oversight throughout the day. For this reason, it is required that stewardship volunteers show up on time!
Our stewardship days typically run from approximately 9:00am to 2:30pm; although some projects require a longer or shorter day.
First-time users must complete a Volunteer Sign-up Form, here. Once you sign-up, you will receive an email containing additional details you will need for the workday including directions, map links, pack list, and more!
Bring a water bottle and plenty of water, sack lunch, rain gear, eye protection (sunglasses or prescription glasses will do), sunscreen, work gloves, any other personal items needed to spend the day outside, and a backpack to carry your things. Wear sturdy & weather-appropriate clothes (long pants are required), and work shoes or boots (NO open-toe shoes).
We run our stewardship days through light rain and other mild weather conditions. Please check the forecast and come prepared.
However, if we have to cancel for hazardous weather, or any other reason, we will notify registered volunteers via email no later than 1.5 hours prior to the start of the workday (sooner if possible) and will also make phone calls to volunteers as needed. If you need to cancel your registration, please let us know as soon as possible. We plan our work tasks, equipment, and staffing based on the number of stewardship volunteers signed up.
Unfortunately, we cannot allow your pets to join us on our stewardship day. While we love our animals, pets are not permitted at any of our events due to safety concerns, their impacts to wildlife, and other risks involved.
Crew Leaders certified through Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado are welcome, and at times called upon, to assist us with leading volunteers when we have group sizes larger than our limited field staff can safely and effectively oversee. For more information about becoming a crew leader, contact LVT here.
During our field season (March-October/November), LVT is often in need of office volunteers to help with data entry to keep our database up to date. This is a flexible position requiring 5 to 15 hours per week on an ongoing basis. Good computer skills, accuracy, and attention to detail are a must. If you are interested, please contact Marilyn Russell at 719-890-4071. We want volunteers with other skills, including carpentry, photography, graphic, and gardners.
Unfortunately, LVT does not offer transportation to and from our parks and open spaces.