Turning the Page: A New Chapter for VOC After 30 Years at Dos Chappell Bathhouse
After three meaningful decades, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) will be saying goodbye to our longtime home at the Dos Chappell Bathhouse in Denver's beloved Washington Park.
In the early 1990s, VOC signed a 30-year lease with the City of Denver to transform the historic bathhouse in Washington Park into a headquarters that could support our growing mission. With generous support from our community, we launched a capital campaign and raised $700,000 to complete the initial renovations, which were finalized in 1996. Altogether, including the original renovations, VOC has invested more than $1 million in improvements and ongoing maintenance, creating a space that is enjoyed by our staff, volunteers, and the broader Washington Park community. In 2000, the building was renamed in honor of Dos Chappell, VOC’s former Executive Director (1988–1999), whose vision and leadership left a lasting legacy on our organization and Colorado’s outdoor stewardship movement.
This space has been more than just an office—it’s been a gathering place, a launchpad for thousands of volunteers, and a visible symbol of our commitment to caring for Colorado.
While our current lease extends through 2026, we’ve received official word from the City of Denver that it will not be renewed as a multi-year agreement. We’ve requested a short-term lease extension through 2027 to support a thoughtful and smooth transition.
This news is difficult, but we’re approaching the next chapter with hope and as an opportunity for new beginnings. We’ve formed a committee of current and former board members to help guide our path forward. We are also in the early stages of exploring future office space options, including partnering with like-minded organizations or relocating near our current Operations Center in Lakewood, CO.
As we look ahead, we remain deeply committed to honoring the legacy of Dos Chappell. We’re exploring options to preserve his name and legacy, and we will work towards developing a respectful plan for the memorial bricks currently displayed on the bathhouse terrace.
To the countless volunteers, donors, staff, and community members who have visited or worked in this space over the years: thank you. Your energy and dedication made the bathhouse more than a building—it became a home. And as we begin this transition, we carry that sense of home with us into whatever comes next.
We’ll continue to keep our community updated as plans progress. If you have questions or thoughts you'd like to share, you may contact vocboardofdirectors@gmail.com.
With gratitude,
The VOC Team
