Volunteer with Denver Parks & Recreation

Volunteer groups are invited to contact DPR to find out about volunteer opportunities in parks throughout the city. Projects could include:

• graffiti removal
• trash and debris removal
• mulching trees and shrub beds
• planting flowers, shrubs
• tree planting (Spring & Fall)
• gardening
• playground maintenance

If interested, please fill out and return the application(PDF, 108KB) to tina.myers@denvergov.org  

Earth Day | April 22, 2023

8:00-11:00 a.m. | Berkeley Lake Park
Earth Day will take place on Saturday, April 22 from 8:00AM-11:00AM at Berkeley Lake Park, located at 4601 W. 46^th Ave. This year, volunteers will mulch trees, debris removal, and lakeshore cleanup. To register, email Tina.Myers@denvergov.org.

Arbor Day | May 13, 2023

DPR's annual Arbor Day celebration is taking place at Montbello Central Park this year, located at Andrews Dr. and Crown Blvd. Volunteers are invited to help the DPR team plant new trees at the park in support of Denver's urban forest. To register, email Tina.Myers@denvergov.org.

Volunteer Host: Chief Hosa Campground

Chief Hosa Campground was opened to the public in 1918 and has served campers in the foothills west of Denver for over a century. The campground is owned and operated by the City and County of Denver and features 48 tent and RV sites. RV sites include water and 30- or 50-amp electrical hookups, and the host site includes a sewer hookup. Camper facilities include a dump station, dish washing station, community activity area, and a bathroom with flushing toilets, running water, and coin-operated showers. We are in the processes of planning and construction for a new campground office and improvements to the community activity area.

Camp hosts generally begin in mid-April to complete training and help prepare for opening and remain for one to two weeks after the campground closes to help close up the campground for the winter. Camp hosts provide their own well-maintained motorhome or trailer and camping fees are waived for the host site.

Download the volunteer host application(PDF, 168KB)

Wildlife Education

DPR is looking for Volunteers to assist with providing wildlife education to the public at Evergreen Lake, Evergreen Golf Course, Dedisse Park, and the surrounding area. 

Mission of the Wildlife Watch Volunteer Program 
Interact with lake, golf course, and park visitors to provide information about the local wildlife species and their habits -using materials provided by Evergreen Nature Center to enhance visitors’ understanding of the wildlife around the lake and its surrounding area; Foster interest and enthusiasm for wildlife;  Educate visitors about appropriate behavior when around wildlife. Participating volunteers will be asked to attend an in-person Training session in May, before the busy season starts. If interested, please email vicki.vargas-madrid@denvergov.org for additional information. 

Lights Out Denver

Location: Downtown area
Dates: Migration seasons | March - May & August - October
Time: ongoing

How You Can Help
Lights Out Denver needs citizen scientists to help gather data on bird collisions in Denver’s downtown area during the Spring (March-May) and Fall (August-October) migrations.  A team of volunteers will patrol a route in downtown to inspect the ground for deceased and injured birds, collecting the specimens, recording their findings, and reporting with the project coordinator.

Skill Requirement
Everyone is welcome.  Must be able to walk, wheel, or bike along route and handle light equipment. Bird identification skills are a plus, but non-essential.  If you enjoy seeing the sunrise over our beautiful city and want to see our city become a leader in bird conservation, we’d love to have you join our team.  Please contact Vicki Vargas-Madrid at Victoria.Vargas-Madrid@denvergov.org or 720-865-4334. 

About the Project
The Lights Out Denver program is an initiative of the City and County of Denver and its partners to improve bird conservation throughout the city.  Denver Parks Natural Resources is leading the charge to heighten bird conservation awareness through a campaign that aims to join other large metro areas across the country that promotes energy efficiency, money savings, and migratory bird conservation - encouraging buildings in Denver’s core urban center to reduce nighttime lighting.

This initiative is modelled after other established, successful programs in cities such as Chicago, New York City, Washington D.C, and Baltimore.  Not only does it protect migratory birds from preventable harm, it helps buildings and businesses reduce their energy demands, lowering their energy costs. In doing so, the City and County of Denver continues to be a leader in environmental stewardship. 

All volunteers must undergo a thorough background check. Verification of identification as well as 7 years of residency is required. Youth volunteers (under 18) will be required to have a parent signature in order to complete the process. Please complete the application and areas of interest including preferred park or region of the city. If your skills match the needs within a park, program area or at a facility, you will be contacted for an interview and to complete the background authorization and waiver of liability prior to being assigned. Volunteers may need to attend additional trainings as required by the department.

Download an application(PDF, 452KB)

Forestry Field Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to perform an ongoing count of the current conditions of Ash trees in Denver’s park and parkway system; to perform a visual delimiting survey of Emerald Ash Borer population.

Qualifications: Dependable, friendly, some knowledge of trees and horticulture and knowledge of Denver Park system.

Time Commitment: 10 – 12 hours per week (June-August)

Benefits: This position provides the opportunity to develop professional job skills and gain experience in the areas of arboriculture, integrated plant management and resource management.  This position takes place in an outdoor environment, weather and safety concerns can affect work schedules.  The opportunity to network with professionals in arboriculture and urban forestry as well as make a difference in our community can be priceless.

If interested, please fill out and return the application to tina.myers@denvergov.org

Upon receipt of your application, the volunteer office will review your application and determine if there are any volunteer opportunities to match your interest areas. You will be contacted either by phone or email with information regarding your potential volunteer placement with 5 days of receipt in our office.

Any questions/concerns, please contact tina.myers@denvergov.org; or call 720.865.2434 

Download an application(PDF, 431KB)

Volunteers are needed to assist recreation staff with serving free meals to youth, which could include breakfast, lunch, snacks or supper. Free meal programs are often accompanied with fun recreational activities, so there are additional volunteer opportunities in that area as well. 

Meal programs for summer food and afterschool are geared to serve all youth, ages 18 and younger, and are located at numerous Denver recreation centers across the city. Learn more and review a complete list of meal sites and times.

All volunteers must be at least 15 years old, complete an application and pass a background check. To apply, please email andrea.garcia@denvergov.org.

Denver Parks & Recreation offers one-day volunteer projects throughout the year, offering groups, individuals and businesses the opportunity to help keep their park and community beautiful.

Projects could include:

• graffiti removal
• trash and debris removal
• mulching trees and shrub beds
• planting flowers, shrubs
• tree planting (Spring & Fall)
• gardening
• playground maintenance

If interested, please fill out and return the application(PDF, 108KB) to tina.myers@denvergov.org

Upon receipt of your application, the volunteer office will review your application and determine if there are any volunteer opportunities that match your areas of interest indicated.  You will be contacted either by phone or email with information regarding your potential volunteer placement with 24 hours of receipt in our office. 

Volunteer materials:

DPR volunteer guidelines(PDF, 41KB)
DPR volunteer application(PDF, 108KB)

Applications and questions should be sent to tina.myers@denvergov.org or 720.865.2434

All volunteers must undergo a thorough background check. Verification of identification as well as 7 years of residency is required. Youth volunteers (under 18) will be required to have a parent signature in order to complete the process. Please complete the application and areas of interest including preferred park or region of the city. If your skills match the needs within a park, program area or at a facility, you will be contacted for an interview and to complete the background authorization and waiver of liability prior to being assigned. Volunteers may need to attend additional training as required by the department.

Horticulture Volunteer
Volunteer’s are trained to provide daily/weekly care to flowerbeds in our Denver Parks.

Qualifications:  Reliability, willingness to help out where needed, friendly, considerate, a strong interest for flowers and ability to work with people.

Time Commitment: 8-24 hours a week from May-October

Benefits: This position provides the opportunity to develop professional job skills and gain experience in the areas of horticulturist, customer services, and knowledge of plants.  This position takes place in a fun and creative environment with the opportunity to network with professionals in the Parks as well as make a difference in our community. 

Park staff will work closely with volunteer during daily parks duties.  

If interested, please fill out and return and application(PDF, 452KB) to tina.myers@denvergov.org or fax to 303.698.5501

Upon receipt of your application, the volunteer office will review your application and determine if there are any volunteer opportunities to match your interest areas.  You will be contacted either by phone or email with information regarding your potential volunteer placement with 5 days of receipt in our office. 

For questions and more information, please contact tina.myers@denvergov.org; or call 303.698.4904

Download Horticulture Volunteer Application(PDF, 431KB)

Denver's unique mountain park system requires ongoing maintenance from heavy use. 

Sign up to become a volunteer!

All volunteers must undergo a thorough background check. Verification of identification as well as 7 years of residency is required. Youth volunteers (under 18) will be required to have a parent signature in order to complete the process. Please complete the application and areas of interest including preferred park or region of the city. If your skills match the needs within a park, program area or at a facility, you will be contacted for an interview and to complete the background authorization and waiver of liability prior to being assigned. Volunteers may need to attend additional training as required by the department.

Natural Areas Volunteer
The Natural Areas Program’s mission is to establish and maintain sustainable and healthy ecosystems including natural areas and waterways, generate well-informed and satisfied residents, and construct broad collaborations that make it all happen. Unlike traditional developed parks, the natural area sites are guided, developed and sustained more by natural processes and not  by mans’ horticultural activities.

Responsibilities:  The Natural Areas Volunteer will assist staff and our Horticultural Worker with weeding, seeding, equipment preparation and maintenance.  He/she will actively participate and assist the Horticultural Worker in these ecological projects.  Restoration is accomplished by utilizing some of these procedures: Cultural methods such as controlled watering, tilling, among others

Biological controls, Mechanical methods such as foam and dry/wet steam, hand weeding, mowing, grazing with goats/sheep

Time Commitment: 8-24 hours a week starting: Year-Round

Qualifications: Reliability, willingness to help out where needed, friendly and considerate, good communication and problem-solving skills, good follow-through, a strong interest in the outdoors and ability to work with people.  Training provided.

Benefits: This position provides the opportunity to develop professional job skills and gain experience in the areas of natural areas management, customer services, knowledge of ecosystems, an increased knowledge in outdoor stewardship, and the opportunity to work in outdoor habitat.  This position takes place in a fun and creative environment with the opportunity to network with professionals in the Parks as well as make a difference in our community. 

Park staff will work closely with volunteer during daily parks duties.  

If interested, please fill out and return and application(PDF, 452KB) to tina.myers@denvergov.org

Upon receipt of your application, the volunteer office will review your application and determine if there are any volunteer opportunities to match your interest areas.  You will be contacted either by phone or email with information regarding your potential volunteer placement with 5 days of receipt in our office. 

For questions and additional information, please contact tina.myers@denvergov.org; or call 720.865.2434 

Download Natural Areas Volunteer Application(PDF, 431KB)

Red Rocks Park clean-ups (Friends of Red Rocks)

On the last Saturday of each month, Park Rangers and Friends of Red Rocks partner to clean and rebuild the park and ampitheater after heavy monthly use. Contact tina.myers@denvergov.org for more information.

All volunteers must undergo a thorough background check. Verification of identification as well as 7 years of residency is required. Youth volunteers (under 18) will be required to have a parent signature in order to complete the process. Please complete the application and areas of interest including preferred park or region of the city. If your skills match the needs within a park, program area or at a facility, you will be contacted for an interview and to complete the background authorization and waiver of liability prior to being assigned. Volunteers may need to attend additional training as required by the department.

Parks Seasonal Labor Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to assist staff with regular maintenance duties such as trash debris collection, park and playground maintenance, graffiti control, turf and weed management along with irrigation, installation, repair and maintenance.

Qualifications: Reliability, willingness to help out where needed, friendly and considerate, good communication and problem-solving skills, good follow-through, a strong interest in the outdoors and ability to work with people.  Training provided.

Time Commitment: 8-20 hours a week: Year Round

Benefits: This position provides the opportunity to develop professional job skills and gain experience in the areas of landscape maintenance, customer service, and knowledge of the City and County of Denver expansive park system.

This position takes place in an outdoor environment, weather and safety concerns can affect work schedules. The opportunity to network with professionals in landscaping as well as make a difference in our community can be priceless.

Park staff will work closely with volunteer during daily parks duties.  

If interested, please fill out and return and application(PDF, 452KB) to tina.myers@denvergov.org

Upon receipt of your application, the volunteer office will review your application and determine if there are any volunteer opportunities to match your interest areas.  You will be contacted either by phone or email with information regarding your potential volunteer placement with 5 days of receipt in our office. 

For questions and more information, please contact tina.myers@denvergov.org; or call 720.865.2434 

Download Park Seasonal Labor Volunteer Application(PDF, 431KB)

Created in 2011 by the Denver Parks & Recreation Ranger Program in partner with BikeDenver, the Volunteer Courtesy Patrol is comprised of more than 100 volunteers who:

• Model good park and trail use behavior
• Provide information to park and trail visitors
• Inform park and trail visitors of potential safety risks
• Provide medical and mechanical bike assistance as-needed
• Report maintenance issues to Parks staff
• Support/supplement Park Ranger efforts in highly-used areas such as Cherry Creek and S. Platte River Trails, Washington Park, City Park, High Line Canal, etc.

Volunteers receive a uniform and other items to assist with fulfilling volunteer duties along with various trainings through the year.

Time Commitment

Volunteers are expected to patrol 30 hours per year.

Volunteering is preferred when parks and trails are busiest, but can be completed any day of the week during daylight hours.  This could include time on a bicycle commuting to and from work.

Volunteers may patrol by bicycling, hiking, or from a fixed location. If patrolling on bike, volunteers are required to use their own bicycle and helmet. 

Get Involved

Each year, 30-40 people are accepted into the program. Recruitment occurs throughout the year-- apply now. The VCP season starts each spring after volunteers accepted into the program complete training.

We hope to sign up volunteers who are passionate about Denver parks and trails, enjoy working with people, and who want to take an active role in caring for these areas. 

Thanks to our partners including BikeDenver, ClifBar, Aspire and Primal Wear!

Apply: GoDenverParks.denvergov.org

Contact: park.ranger@denvergov.org

Volunteers are vital to DPR's diverse program offerings throughout the city. There are a variety of areas to get involved in, such as Youth Sports, Adaptive Recreation, Arts & Culture, Outdoor Recreation, and Out-of-School programming. 

Download a volunteer application and email the completed document to Volunteers.Recreation@denvergov.org. 

Coaching

 Coaching volunteers will assist with coaching youth ages 5 to 14 in basketball, flag football, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer and t-ball: The following qualifications are sought and requirements are needed:

• ability to educate participants in the skills and basic fundamentals of the sport
• ability to work with participants to develop and emphasize the fundamentals of team work and sportsmanship
• ability to facilitate team practices one to two times per week
• ability to attend all games
• willingness to encourage a positive athletic experience and good sportsmanship
• ability to attend a training session
• successful completion a background check
• willingness to HAVE FUN and be a positive role model 

Program Enrichment

Enhance our after school and summer camp programs by bringing innovative and interesting activities to the youth participants. Whether it be sewing, puppet making, magic, art, or other specialized area of interest, Denver Parks and Recreation would welcome your talents. Interested individuals will be required to have a background check.

Email Volunteers.Recreation@denvergov.org with questions.