Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands

USDA Forest Service
Pike & San Isabel
National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche
National Grasslands
2840 Kachina Drive
Pueblo, CO 81008
719-553-1400

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
719-553-1404

South Park Ranger District

Internships  *  Hosts  *  Volunteers

Volunteer In the Colorado Rocky Mountains

WHAT ARE VOLUNTEERS?

Volunteers are like Coke -
     They are the real thing.
Volunteers are like Fords -
     They have better ideas.
Volunteers are like Pan Am -
     They make the going great.
Volunteers are like Dial soap -
     They care more, don't you wish everyone did?
Volunteers are like VO-5 hair spray -
     They hold up in all kinds of weather.
Volunteers are like Hallmark cards -
     They care enough to give the very best.
Volunteers are like Standard Oil -
     You expect more and get it.
BUT BEST OF ALL ------
Volunteers are like Frosted Flakes -
     They're Grrrrrrreeeeeaaaatttt!!!!!!!!
                    Author unknown

Volunteer Opportunities On The South Park Ranger District

The South Park Ranger District covers 540,000 acres of National Forest Service System land and includes Lost Creek and Buffalo Peaks Wilderness area.

Elevations range from 8,000 feet to 14,000 feet.  The district has excellent trout fishing, hunting, mountain biking, hiking and climbing opportunities on your days off.  The district is less than 30 miles from the world renowned ski area of Breckenridge, CO, and is approximately 1 1/2 hours from Denver and Colorado Springs.

Government bunkhouses are available but limited at either Fairplay or Lake George.

Applicant must be 18 years of age.  If applicant is under 18 years of age, s/he must have the signature of parent or guardian on the Agreement.an

Some positions may receive a stipend, and/or mileage reimbursements.

You may obtain an application at the office in Fairplay or call 719/836-2031.

General Positions

The following positions "may" be available:

Hosts - Wilkerson Pass Visitor Center

The newly constructed Wilkerson Pass Visitor Center is located at the top of Wilkerson Pass along Highway 24.    It is about 45 minutes from either Fairplay to the west or Colorado Springs to the east. 

The Wilkerson Pass Visitor Center opened in 2003. It has two "Host Sites" available with water, sewer and electrical hook-ups for host's travel trailers.

Duties will consist of, but are not limited to:
1.  Visitor contact and information
2.  Book and map sales
3.  Light janitorial work
4.  General facility maintenance

Hosts - Boreas Pass Section House, Historic Denver South Park and Pacific Railroad Site

The Boreas Pass Section House will be open for visitor information from mid to late June through September, weather dependent.   This site is at the summit of Boreas Pass, 11,842 feet in elevation.  

Duties are the same as above for the Wilkerson Pass Visitor Center and in addition you get to talk about the historic site (old railroad bed and buildings of the DSP&P, mining and much more).   It is about 7-10 miles from the small town of Como, with Como located about 9 miles from Fairplay.  It is about 11 miles from Breckenridge.  

Electricity at the Section House is provided from a solar panel with a battery backup.  You may stay in the Section House where there is one bedroom locked off from the rest of the 5 room building.  There is a two panel propane countertop burner to cook on and nice wood stove to keep you warm.  An outdoor, newly built, restroom is available.  Your drinking water will have to be hauled up. See Boreas Pass for more information.