Who We Are
get to know colorado's leading outdoor stewardship nonprofit
About Us
Our vision is a Colorado where all people connect to nature and care for our outdoor spaces.
Founded in 1984, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is the state's oldest outdoor stewardship nonprofit organization. Our mission is to motivate and enable people to become active stewards of Colorado's natural resources.
Each year, we engage thousands of people to provide a volunteer workforce for recreation and habitat improvement projects in partnership with land agencies, nonprofits, and community groups. These volunteer projects take place in every corner of Colorado and over the decades, we've grown beyond our projects - and our borders - to help others start and improve their own volunteer stewardship programs and inspire all of us to find our place in caring for the outdoors.
Our Impact OVER THE LAST 40+ YEARS
$29.3 M
DONATED LABOR VALUE
138,800
VOLUNTEERS ACROSS COLORADO
1,820
OUTDOOR VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
115
VOLUNTEER PROJECTS PER YEAR
Finding Common Ground
For over 40 years, VOC has aimed to inspire and empower individuals to actively care for Colorado's natural resources. From hands-on volunteer projects to behind-the-scenes management, all our efforts are rooted in this mission.
To achieve our mission and best serve Colorado and its people, we are committed to creating a welcoming and collaborative environment that encourages stewardship of the outdoors, volunteerism, and the long-term sustainability of our work.
FIND WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU
Flexible Time Commitments
Choose from half-day, full-day, or overnight projects to fit your schedule.
All Skill & Fitness Levels Welcome
Project difficulty ranges from light physical action to physically strenuous. We’ll help you find the right fit.
Diverse Project Types
Get involved in trail work, habitat restoration, flood and fire recovery and mitigation, urban gardening, and more.
Support Roles Available
Not into digging in the dirt? Help with camp cooking, project photography, tool transport, office assistance, or volunteer leadership.
Opportunities for Individuals, Groups & Youth
Whether you're volunteering on your own, with coworkers, or as part of a group, we offer a variety of ways to get involved. Explore youth-friendly projects, private corporate group opportunities, and more.
What VOC Volunteers Do
- Trail construction and maintenance
- Habitat restoration and invasive species management
- Tree planting and urban gardening
- Fire and flood restoration and mitigation
- Park improvements
Community Engagement Programs
In addition to engaging volunteers in hands-on stewardship, we offer a variety of programs that encourage more people to get involved in caring for Colorado’s outdoors and inspire a lifelong commitment to conservation.
These include:
- The Cairn Program is an experience that guides high school students along the Front Range through monthly outdoor education and leadership activities throughout the school year.
- Collaborative Partnerships, working with local organizations to expand outdoor stewardship opportunities for more communities.
- Healthy Community Projects, which focus on improving both environmental and community well-being through initiatives like planting food gardens and restoring green spaces.
PARTNERSHIP OFFICES
Our regional Partnership Offices strengthen local stewardship efforts by placing experienced staff in communities across the state.
OUTDOOR STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE
The Outdoor Stewardship Institute (OSI) offers affordable, in-depth training courses for any individual or organizationto learn or improve their stewardship skills and prepare for a variety of leadership roles.
GROSSMAN SCHOLARSHIP
The Grossman Scholarship Program helps make educational dreams possible for those who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources.
Beyond The Boots
Volunteerism is the foundation of VOC, and volunteers' hard work over the years has given us a platform to refine our organization and deliver the highest-quality work for land management agencies of all sizes, from local open space programs to state parks and federal agencies.
The success of our volunteer model has led to the creation of similar groups across the state, and served as inspiration for outdoor nonprofits and agencies across the country and even internationally.
We believe it is up to all of us to care for the outdoors, which is why we share expertise and collaborate with others, elevating our collective ability to tackle the most pressing stewardship challenges.
Honoring Original Stewards
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) acknowledges the original stewards of the lands we serve today.
Prior to their forced removal, many Indigenous peoples called Colorado home and we thank them for their care of the lands, waters, and wildlife we enjoy today. We also recognize their continuing commitment and connection to the land, and we honor the enduring wisdom they contribute to stewardship today.
Why Volunteer Stewardship?
And what is "stewardship"?
Simply put, outdoor stewardship is responsibly managing our natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations of people, plants, and animals.
Endless Opportunity
Colorado faces growing environmental challenges, and caring for our shared public lands takes all of us, ensuring healthy ecosystems, thriving wildlife, and strong communities now and into the future.
