Volunteer Rangers and Assistant Naturalists provide educational programs on the natural areas to schools, clubs, and scout groups. Often groups are large, the outings take place in remote areas, or the activities are complex, and Naturalists need a helping hand. These volunteers also help staff booths at community events. Volunteering as an Assistant Naturalist is a good way to take an active role in the education programs without the time commitment or specialized training required of Naturalists.

These opportunities are a great way to gain experience in interpretation, natural history, and group management.

Apply to Volunteer

Natural Areas are yours to treasure today, and for the future. You can help manage and restore land to its native state as a stewardship volunteer. The Natural Areas Department provides long-term opportunities to Adopt a Natural Area by picking up trash monthly, becoming a Volunteer Crew Leader and leading groups of volunteers on stewardship projects, or by helping maintain the Nix Native Plant Garden a a Volunteer Gardener

Apply to Be an Adopter

Volunteers work to nurture a living exhibit that teaches about the benefits of native plants and provides design inspiration. Volunteers work at the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Dept. Headquarters Nix Native Plant Garden including weeding, mulching, pruning and more. This is a great opportunity for garden clubs, neighborhoods or church groups.  

Gardening volunteer days are Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (weather dependent). Gardening experience is helpful but not required. Volunteers may work alone or in groups. Adults only please.

Apply to Volunteer

Short-term stewardship opportunities for individuals, families and small group volunteer projects are offered approximately monthly, May-October. These activities are announced in Natural Areas monthly electronic newsletters (subscribe on this page). Often projects are offered in conjunction with these special dates:

• Earth Day - April
• National Volunteer Week-  April
• Colorado Public Lands Day- May
• National Trails Day- June
• Native Plant Gardening Days- Once a month in June, July, August
• National Public Lands Day- September
• Make a Difference Week- October

Request A Project For Your Group

Stewardship volunteer projects are great for team-building, networking, and camaraderie. Projects in this section are for larger groups.

1. Login or create an account in Engage. It is easy and free! Need assistance? Call us at 970-416-2815 or email naturalareas@fcgov.com .
2. Complete the Group Stewardship Project Request form.
3. Staff from the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department will contact you soon. Your request is not confirmed until you are contacted by a staff person.

Keep in mind:

• Service projects are dependent on the needs of the natural areas.
• Six weeks notice is preferred. A minimum of two weeks notice is required.
• A "group" has a minimum of eight (8) volunteers.
• Due to high demand, two activities per group per year are permitted.

Contact For Stewardship Volunteer Opportunities

Rachel Balduzzi, Volunteer and Stewardship Coordinator
970-224-6153 (office) 
rbalduzzi@fcgov.com

Complete a Stewardship Project Request Form

When graffiti is reported, the Graffiti Abatement Team will contact the private property owner, business or City department as soon as possible about the issue and/or assist with the removal. Every effort will be made to see that the graffiti is abated within two (2) business days.​

Contact Streets to Volunteer

Volunteer Healthy Homes educators help Fort Collins homes reduce the risk posed by common hazards, increase energy efficiency, and live more comfortably. 

Contact Air Quality to Volunteer

Get your supplies ready. Grab some gardening gloves, close toed shoes and a trash bag. Help do your part by picking up trash in your community. The best and most impactful place to start is in your neighborhood. Stop litter before it gets to the river! 

Do Your Part, Pick it Up Foco!

The Parks Department is stewards for 6 community parks, 44 neighborhood and pocket parks; and 29 miles of recreational trails. We provide clean and safe outdoor environments for the citizens of Fort Collins to enjoy and recreate. An organization or individual can assist Fort Collins Parks maintenance crews in controlling and cleaning our shared outdoor parks, trails, and spaces. Projects are broad and varied, including mulching tree rings, weeding, planting, painting, raking, and more​. 

Apply to Volunteer

Do you think recycling is important? As a Recycling Ambassador, you will help people recycle right! Greet and welcome Recyclers and answer their questions at the Timberline Recycling Center.

Volunteers can assist Recyclers to unload materials, help with outreach tabling, give presentations, give tours of the Timberline Center, and help keep the "A-Z List" up-to-date. No need to “police” Recyclers; however, safety is a #1 priority, so volunteers will report any unsafe conditions to the City.

Apply to Become an Ambassador

The Fort Collins Senior Center is open to those 18 years and older and provides patrons an opportunity to access and engage in recreational opportunities, stay active, and socialize. The Senior Center's diverse program selection includes travel, outdoor adventure, special events, fitness, art, and more. The Senior Center is open to all adults but specialized in programming for adults 50 years of age and older. 

Apply to Volunteer

Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO) provides recreation programs for community members of all ages and abilities. We are looking for partners to play alongside Special Olympics athletes during Unified Softball. This is an opportunity for volunteers 16 years old & up, running May through July! 

Additionally, for folks 8 years old & up, ARO is looking for volunteers to assist coaches/staff during baseball practices for youth with various disabilities. Helping with technique and equipment will be just part of the opportunity when volunteering with this program, running from late June through July!

Apply to Volunteer

The Farm at Lee Martinez Park has provided hands-on family fun since 1985. The Farm serves as an education and interactive experience for Fort Collins residents and visitors. A visit to the The Farm will be an adventure for all ages. 

The Farm welcomes adult and youth volunteers (one of the select sites that allows youth volunteers, in fact!). A volunteer here would love animals, enjoy interacting with children, have an interest in education, and is enthusiastic about hosting guided tours for visitors. 

Apply to Volunteer

Our Youth and Adult Sports Coaching Programs benefit thousands of community members per year. Adults can get active and stay healthy by participating in sports like softball, volleyball, basketball and flag football. Kids can benefit from exercise and learn important social values by participating in sports such as basketball, football, wrestling, cross country, volleyball, and track. Our diverse opportunities and dedicated staff make sports a valuable community resource. 

Apply to Volunteer

The FC Moves Bicycle Ambassador Program acts as an educational and advocacy program, comprised of community members in Northern Colorado who volunteer to get more people on bicycles, educating the community to make the roadways safe and comfortable for all users. 

Ambassadors can have diverse skill sets, ranging from Bronze and Silver to Gold levels. Bronze Ambassadors work at community events, promote safe cycling on the streets and trails, advocate on safe cycling issues, collect and report information on engineering deficiencies and report them to appropriate municipalities' staff. Silver Ambassadors complete Bronze level requirements, assist with Smart Cycling bike handling skills drills and rides, five BAP-approved bicycle safety presentations, assist with guided rides. Then Gold Ambassadors complete Silver level requirements, teach cycling safety and other cycling related courses, lead guided rides.

Apply to Volunteer

FC Moves also offers a youth-focused program called Safe Routes to School. This program works with strategic partners, like Poudre School District and Bike Fort Collins, to increase the number of students safely walking, bicycling, skateboarding, scootering, and taking the bus to school. Volunteers champion walking and cycling and can get involved in a variety of ways: special events, data collection, education outreach, and more!

Apply to Volunteer

Volunteers serve on a term of one of the City's 27 Boards and Commissions to inform and advise City Council. Established for the purpose of acquiring and studying information in specific areas and to make recommendations to City Council on issues within the board's are of expertise. 

Boards and Commissions recruits new members once per year in September. Thank you volunteers for your commitment to civic engagement!

Learn More

Join the Volunteer Services Team and help with tasks as-needed, like HR Admin/Front Desk Support, Special Events, lead a volunteer group of teens in NextGenServe this Summer, or assist with large projects as a skills-based volunteer. 

Apply to Volunteer

Volunteer Mediators are neutral third parties that help public clients address, discuss, and transform conflict. Mediation is a dispute resolution process that is an alternative to hiring lawyers, going to court, calling enforcement agencies, or allowing the conflict to escalate. Mediators do not advocate for one side or the other. They cannot give legal advice, rather they listen, reflect back what they hear from clients, and help keep the conversation civil and productive. 

The process to become a Volunteer Mediator is extensive and requires extra training, practice, and facilitation from the FC Mediation and Restorative Justice Department staff. If you would like to learn more about this process, please email Dana Henderson dhenderson@fcgov.com to set up an informational interview and find out if this is the right opportunity for you!

Apply to Become a Mediator

Restorative Justice Volunteers work with young persons (ages 10-22) who have committed eligible offenses, and have chosen Restorative Justice as a meaningful way to repair the harm caused by their offense. Volunteer participate in Restorative Justice Circles with the young people and represent the community perspective on how crime impacted the community. Some volunteers also participate in other areas of the department, such as administrative tasks and special projects. 

The process to become a Restorative Justice Volunteer is extensive and requires extra training, practice, and facilitation from the FC Mediation and Restorative Justice Department staff. If you would like to learn more about this process, please email Dana Henderson dhenderson@fcgov.com to set up an informational interview and find out if this is the right opportunity for you!

Apply to Become a Restorative Justice Volunteer

The Fort Collins Police Services offers several opportunities to get involved. There is a high need for Volunteer Victim Advocates, who provide aid to innocent people who suffer physical, emotional, or financial loss as a result of a crime of violence.

Additionally, teens (ages 15-20) who are interested in exciting and fun opportunities in law enforcement can apply to the Fort Collins Police Explorer program, which acquaints young people with the field of law enforcement as a future career choice. Explorers receive ongoing police training through instruction, hands-on practical exercises, and valuable real-world experiences. Police Explorers not only receive training but regularly assist patrol officers with their duties. Police Explorers are required to attend regular meetings and training sessions.

For young adults (21+), the Reserve Community Officer Unit assists Fort Collins Police in many areas of law enforcement by working closely with officers, detectives, and specialty units.  Reserve CSOs not only work side by side with officers but also give presentations on crime prevention, conduct traffic control and patrols during events, provide security to crime scenes, and conduct surveillance.  Reserve CSOs are required to attend regular training sessions and meetings.

The FC Police Services has also embraced mental health needs of the community, recently launching a refined outreach program called the Mental Health Response Team. If you or someone you know needs support, please refer to these mental health resources for help. This team was established to support our community!

Learn More About Police Services