Trail runner volunteer with Jefferson County Open Space
Build and maintain trails with Jeffco's Trail Runner Volunteers crew — evening and weekend work sessions across the park system, open to volunteers 18+.
Why we picked this
Trail Runner Volunteers do more building than most crews — retaining walls, rock armoring, new tread — often on weeknight evenings after work.
Jefferson County Open Space’s Trail Runner Volunteers program puts volunteers to work building and maintaining trail across parks like Van Bibber, Deer Creek Canyon, North Table Mountain, Mount Falcon, Apex, and Dakota Ridge. Sessions run year-round and often happen on weeknight evenings or weekend mornings, so the schedule works around a regular job. Typical projects include cutting new tread, rebuilding drainage, closing widened sections, and reinforcing trail with rock and retaining walls.
No prior trail-building experience is required — staff and veteran volunteers walk new crew members through tool use and technique on site. Expect to hike in with the group, then spend two to four hours doing hands-on physical work with shovels, picks, and rakes. Closed-toe sturdy shoes are required; bring water, gloves, and weather-appropriate layers.
This program is open to volunteers 18 and up. To join, start at the Offero Get Involved page and apply to the Trail Runner Volunteer role — Jeffco’s Trails team, led by Scott Waters, follows up with upcoming work sessions and any orientation steps.