Adopt a trail section through Denver Parks & Recreation
Commit to maintaining a trail section in Denver's park system year-round. Open to individuals and groups. Connect with Denver Parks volunteer coordinator to get started.
Why we picked this
A low-barrier way to build a real connection with a specific stretch of trail — you pick up litter, report hazards, and watch a piece of Denver's park system over time.
Denver Parks & Recreation’s Adopt-a-Trail program lets individuals, families, or organized groups take ongoing responsibility for a designated trail section within the city’s park system. Participants commit to visiting their adopted trail at least a few times per year to pick up litter, clear minor debris from the tread, note any hazards or damage, and report back to parks staff. It’s less intensive than a construction crew and more consistent than a one-time cleanup.
The program suits a range of volunteers: a neighborhood family looking for a regular outdoor project, a workplace team that wants an annual service day, or an individual who just wants a reason to walk the same trail and keep it in good shape. Denver Parks coordinates which sections are available for adoption and provides a basic kit including trash bags and reporting forms. You set your own schedule within the program’s minimum visit requirement.
Trail sections are distributed across Denver’s network of parks and greenways, from Wash Park to Barnum Park to the High Line Canal. Some sections are near bus lines and don’t require a car. All ages are welcome, and the adopt-a-trail format is one of the more family-friendly options in the city’s volunteer portfolio since there’s no fixed workday schedule to coordinate around.
How to sign up
Visit denvergov.org/parks and search for volunteer opportunities, or contact the Denver Parks & Recreation volunteer coordinator directly through the website’s contact directory. The coordinator can walk you through available trail sections and match you with something near your neighborhood.