Interpretation Division

Volunteers in the Interpretation Division provide visitor services through a variety of programs. Volunteers work directly with visitors in visitor centers and in the park's information office. At the Never Summer Ranch, volunteers provide historical information and informal walks and tours. Some volunteers work with schoolchildren in environmental education, while others work behind the scenes to develop slides and maintain the park's audio-visual library.

Volunteers also play a unique role in the park's wildlife education programs. The Bighorn Brigade is a group of volunteers who work in the spring and summer to educate the public about bighorn sheep ecology and management in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Elk Bugle Corps works primarily in the fall during elk mating season, answering questions and keeping people from approaching the elk during this vital time. And the Chowbusters speak with visitors about why they should not approach or feed wildlife. Together, these wildlife education volunteers help protect the wildlife, and enhance visitors' enjoyment and understanding of this precious resource.

Resources Management Division

In the Resources Management Division, the greenhouse and nursery are managed almost entirely by volunteers. Volunteers protect the genetic diversity of plant species in the park by collecting seeds for propagation, revegetating disturbed areas, and controlling alien plant species. In addition a number of people help with the elk census during the winter. Finally, volunteers assist with a myriad of research projects, studying everything from butterflies to glaciers.

Facilities Management Division

Rocky Mountain National Park has over 350 miles of maintained hiking trails, and visitors often comment on the good condition of those trails. Volunteers assist with a wide range of trail work, from maintenance to relocation and even building new trails. These volunteers perform some of the most physically challenging work in the park!

Park maintenance is also very important. Everyone's visit is made more enjoyable because volunteers help keep the park clean and beautiful. Duties in facility management include painting buildings and picnic tables, and picking up trash on the sides of the road.

Volunteers may also assist the Facilities Management Division with special projects such as historic preservation at the McGraw Ranch, home of the Continental Divide Research and Learning Center.

Resource Protection and Vistor Management

Volunteers in the Resource Protection and Visitor Management Division, serve many roles. At information stations, volunteers are asked every question imaginable, and may assist rangers with anything from trail patrols to traffic control. They must be very familiar with Rocky Mountain National Park, enjoy people, and be ready for any situation that may occur.

In the backcountry office, volunteers help visitors prepare for safe and enjoyable backcountry camping. Volunteers educate visitors about resource protection, instruct them on park regulations and help them prepare for the extreme weather and altitude changes of the Rocky Mountains.

Campground hosts act as ambassadors for the park, living in a campground for the entire season. Their primary duty is to provide and interpret information about camping in the park. They may also help with maintenance and assist rangers with enforcement of park rules. Campground hosts are often the first on the scene when there is an accident or a visitor needs medical attention, and may even be called on after hours when visitors need help.

Volunteer Groups

Group projects attract large numbers of volunteers from throughout the country to participate in projects lasting anywhere from a day to several weeks. Volunteer groups at RMNP may be from churches, schools, environmental organizations, youth groups and many other organizations. They work on a variety of endeavors including trail work, campground cleanup and rehabilitation, alien plant control, and backcountry work.