DENVER — If you love to hike, mountain bike, run or do anything else that requires spending hours on the trail systems throughout our amazing state, there’s one thing you should do at least once.
We’re talking about trail work. This not only helps sustain the places Coloradans explore every day, but also gives users some appreciation into exactly how much work goes into maintaining your favorite stretches of singletrack.
There are lots of organizations throughout Colorado that organize trail work – and even build the places the next generations will get to explore. Check out a full list below, and get out there and volunteer! Is there something we’re missing? It’s not on purpose! Email Allison.Sylte@9news.com and we’ll get it added to the list!
This story is part of our #9Adventures series! Is there a place you think we should check out? Using #9Adventures on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, give us suggestions!
Boulder County Open Space
Boulder County Open Space offers opportunities to do everything from trail work to adopting trails and picking up litter (a very necessary endeavor, unfortunately).
Find out more about those programs here: bit.ly/2Lf8lz2
Boulder Mountainbike Alliance
This organization builds and improves multi-use trails across Boulder -- mainly from April to September of each year.
To get involved in a trail building event this summer, check out: bit.ly/2XdDj1D
Cloud City Wheelers (Leadville)
This organization, which has been around since 2007, builds and maintains trails in Lake County – including the Timberline Trail System near Leadville.
Learn more about volunteering here: bit.ly/2J28inJ
Colorado 14ers Initiative
The Colorado 14ers Initiative helps take care of some of the most beloved peaks in the state by working above treeline for hours at a time.
It’s hard but rewarding work, and anyone who’s taken a trail up a 14er will be astounded by the effort it takes to keep these places pristine.
Find out more about how to volunteer here: bit.ly/2KC3Ups
Colorado Mountain Bike Association (COMBA)
The Colorado Mountain Bike Association includes everything from volunteer trail builders to trail advocates to trail educators who work to shape the future of mountain biking on the Front Range. A large organization, there are plenty of opportunities for trail work – including for women specifically.
For a calendar of volunteer opportunities, click here: bit.ly/2Xqojgo
Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Association
This nonprofit is made up of volunteer mountain bikers who advocate, build and maintain singletrack on the Colorado Plateau in Western Colorado (basically Grand Junction, Fruita, etc ...).
Read about how to volunteer here: bit.ly/2RGiHsY
The Colorado Trail
Colorado trail volunteers get to camp near the trail, eat good food, and help maintain this 486-mile trail connecting Waterton Canyon and Durango.
That means there are lots of cool places to explore – and a lot of areas to maintain.
Find out more about volunteering here: bit.ly/2Ya1XNp
Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (Crested Butte)
Crested Butte is a mecca for mountain biking, and those trails inevitably need a lot of work. Volunteers with CBMBA spend 2,500 hours a year maintaining the trails people come from all over the world to ride.
Learn more about how to volunteer here: bit.ly/31TkgZ9
Golden Giddyup (Golden)
Golden Giddyup is a Golden-area mountain bike group that maintains trails near this city west of Denver (they’re some of the most well-trafficked in the state!). Volunteers do everything from trailwork to engage with local government for advocacy efforts.
Learn more here: bit.ly/2X3p7nj
Jefferson County Open Space
Jeffco’s trail system is one of the busiest in the area, given it’s popularity with everyone from weekend warriors to folks hoping to get a couple of laps in before or after work.
Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to give back. You can find a volunteer calendar here: bit.ly/2LeB730
Routt County Riders (Steamboat)
The Routt County Riders help maintain the trail system around Steamboat. According to its website, volunteers do everything from the arduous work of picking up a shovel and digging to answering the phone (which is equally important).
For more information about how to help, click here: bit.ly/2WZNeDd
Southern Colorado Trail Builders
This organization helps build and maintain sustainable trails in southern Colorado -- and talk about having great scenery to work!
Learn more here: bit.ly/2Yj3gtp
Southwest Colorado Cycling Association
Formerly the Kokopelli Bike Club, the Southwest Colorado Cycling Association is a registered nonprofit that helps maintain some of the popular trails in the Cortez, Dolores, Mancos and Durango.
Find out how to volunteer here: bit.ly/2KIMG31
Stay the Trail
We've talked a lot about hiking and mountain biking groups, but one would be remiss to not mention the off-road community's work to preserve our trails.
That's what Stay the Trail Colorado does, and it has plenty of volunteer opportunities to keep our public lands pristine for future generations.
To help out, click here: bit.ly/2RH8Q69
Trails 2000
This Durango-based organization helps build trails and educate users about sustainability.
To volunteer in this beautiful part of the state, click here: bit.ly/2FE18Fc
Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance
The VVMTA’s mission is to maintain, educate, advocate for, and build sustainable non-motorized soft surface trails while conserving the natural environment of Eagle County and our public lands.
Learn how to volunteer here: bit.ly/2Xc7QrQ
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado has projects throughout the state, with varying degrees of difficulty. A bonus is you can also register for trail work as a group, if your office needs some sort of bonding experience.
Learn more here: bit.ly/2LdOXmg
Wildland Restoration Volunteers
This is one of the largest volunteer stewardship organizations in the state, and does activities including fire mitigation, flood recovery, habitat restoration and more.
To learn how to volunteer, click here: bit.ly/2Xx7y3d
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