Get Involved: City of Fort Collins Engage

Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO) provides quality and equal opportunities for recreation and leisure programs to community members with disabilities. The ARO program offers healthy and fun experiences through three basic service areas: transition services, inclusion support and specialized programs. ARO services strive to foster independence of the participating individuals within their recreation experiences. 

Volunteer as a Special Olympics Coach or Partner. Different sports offered each season. 

City Communication will vary by issue, but one example is West Nile spraying: 

West Nile virus is a potentially deadly disease spread by mosquitoes in the mid-to-late summer months. In 2022, Colorado had more West Nile cases than any other state, and Larimer County led among Colorado counties. By sharing information about West Nile activity in the area, you will raise awareness, help residents learn ways to protect themselves and their families

The Historic Preservation Services division presents multiple education programs throughout the year, and tables at community events as well. This opportunity is for Preservation Education volunteers who would like to help make those programs a success, and have an interest in promoting the community knowledge about, and stewardship of, important places in Fort Collins. Opportunities will include helping City Preservation staff table at special events, and helping give walking tours or other education programming at historic places.

Our wide range of community mediation-based services are available to all Fort Collins residents and City employees. Typical mediation cases include a variety of neighborhood and neighbor disputes, eviction mediation, landlord/tenant issues, facilitated conversation (larger group process), restorative mediations, Municipal Court-referred misdemeanor tickets, and internal City of Fort Collins workplace mediations. 

• Increase community safety by addressing crime restoratively - strengthen community relationships, improve understanding, and work to prevent future harms.
• Meet a victim’s needs through participating in a restorative process which centers their voice.
• Contribute your skills and desire to learn with a thriving group of volunteers and staff.

Volunteer Position Title (unpaid): Peer Representative, Restorative Justice Circles

Restorative Justice is a way of resolving crime in community. It works by bringing the people who are most impacted by crime [harmed person(s), responsible person(s) and community representatives] together to collaboratively answer these questions:

• Who was harmed and how?
• What needs to be done to make things right and who is responsible for that?

A peer representative volunteer participates in a Restorative Justice Circle to represent the youth and young adult community perspective and provide support.

Age Range:

• Youth: 14-17
• Young Adults: 18-25

Volunteer Support Staff:

• Dana Henderson; Public Engagement Specialist
• Mary-Claire Geiss; Restorative Justice Program Specialist

FCVRT is a team of trained volunteers that provide services to residents of Fort Collins before, during, and after emergencies and disasters. FCVRT is dedicated to making Fort Collins a safer and more resilient community. This team does more than disaster response, by actively engaging in activities that increase personal and community resilience and disaster preparedness and promote community bonds.

Participants must complete CERT Basic Training  prior to volunteering.

Volunteering in our Butterfly House is both educational and rewarding! Butterfly House volunteers are responsible for maintaining USDA containment standards, helping to ensure an excellent guest experience and enhance guest takeaways through interpretation and education.

The Purpose of The Gardens on Spring Creek Volunteer Program is to enrich lives of volunteers and community members through our beautiful, curated gardens and outstanding education programs and events; create a financially sustainable workforce; and educate volunteers and guests about environmental stewardship through gardening.

Gardens education volunteers help us fulfill our mission to improve the lives of people and inspire stewardship through horticulture. Volunteers can assist with a variety of youth programs year-round including but not limited to group tours, story times, camps and outreach. Tasks and responsibilities vary, training is provided, and all volunteers are welcome!

Healthy Homes Educators make a difference in the health, safety, and environmental impact of Fort Collins homes by conducting indoor air quality assessments and education. They participate in an initial, in-depth training and have the opportunity to partake in continuing education events. 

We are currently recruiting volunteers! Our trainings will be held on two Fridays, May 30 & June 6, 9am-3pm. For more information, contact [email protected] or apply!

Adopters agree to care for a natural area for one year by picking up trash and reporting maintenance issues. This program provides opportunities for citizens to take an active role in restoration efforts through stewardship.

• Visit natural area once a month to pick up litter.
• Report hours and maintenance issues in Engage.
• Implement safe practices of yourself and all others involved during site visits.
• Read more about the Natural Areas Stewardship Programs.

BARK Rangers are Volunteer Ranger Assistants (VRAs) and their canines that patrol on approved Natural Areas Department properties. These volunteers and their dogs serve as a visible presence in the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department and serve as ambassadors promoting stewardship ethics and good dog behavior while on city trails. BARK Rangers participate in education and community outreach events.

Volunteer Description Overview

Bark Rangers are Volunteer Ranger Assistants (VRAs) and their canines that patrol on approved Natural Areas Department and Larimer County Open Space properties. These volunteers and their dogs serve as a visible presence in the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department and Larimer County DNR and serve as ambassadors promoting stewardship ethics and good dog behavior while on city trails. Bark Rangers participate in education and community outreach events. BARK is an acronym for:

• Bag your pet’s waste
• Always wear a leash
• Respect Wildlife
• Know where you can go

Key Responsibilities
• Provide a visible presence along trails and in open spaces, parks and natural areas as a VRA with a certified dog with the intention of talking to visitors about responsible dog ownership, the BARK principles, and the natural areas mission and regulations using authority of the resource principles.
• Hand out appropriate giveaways including leashes, water, bowls, and baggies.
• Record additional metrics including number of dogs off leash, amount of dog waste on trails, snakes, etc.
• Maintain meticulous records of the dog’s eligibility.

Impact
Be an ambassador for the Natural Areas Department and encourage positive dog interactions. Connect the public with pets, provide hands-on experiences to learn about safety, and increase the public’s understanding of stewardship.

Training

• Bark Ranger Training- Attending the class is NOT a guarantee of participation in the program. Topics include: Dog Behavior, Bite Prevention, Dog Fight Prevention, Patrol Basics, Special Events, and Scenario Practice.
• Must have previously attend Volunteer Ranger Assistant Training within the last five years and be in good standing as a VRA.
• Opportunity to attend continuing education sessions.

Commitment

• Fulfill all regular Volunteer Ranger Assistant requirements.
• Assist the City of Fort Collins with at least two additional dog focused special events a year.

Skills and Qualifications
• Maintain current behavioral certification from the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Program. Certification from a dog trainer or animal shelter usually costs around $25. Visit the American Kennel Club’s website for a list of approved certifiers. Certification is not required to apply, but it is required in order to graduate and start patrolling as a BARK Ranger.
• Dogs must under control 100% of the time, in all situations. These situations may include being touched by strangers and being approached by other dogs.
• Submit a health evaluation, including vaccine record, from veterinarian annually.
• Submit proof of pet license annually.
• Annual background check required.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Fulfill all Volunteer Ranger Assistant requirements.

Here are descriptions of ideal human and dog candidates for the BARK Ranger program:

• Human Component: The human member of the BARK Ranger team is passionate about being outdoors and spending that quality time with their dog. In addition, the human member of the BARK Ranger team must also have a commitment to upholding the rules and regulations regarding dogs in natural areas when out with their own dogs. This includes complying with leash laws, always cleaning up after the dog, and being considerate of other rules and limitations on dogs-in-natural-areas. The human half of the BARK Ranger team should be a people lover AND a dog lover, and able to communicate compassionately to natural area visitors of both kinds.
• Dog Component: The dog member of the BARK Ranger team should enjoy the activity of hiking with their human. They should be comfortable walking (calm, relaxed, able to check-in with their person, etc.) in natural environments on a leash. The dog should comfortable being in close proximity with other people and with other dogs (including the potential off-leash dog).  The dog must be able to pass their Canine Good Citizen evaluation (https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/) and additional situational set-up evaluations (including demonstrating a calm response to bikes, off-leash dogs, kids, horses, runners, and other situations they might encounter in the natural area) in order to pass this training program and be certified as a BARK Ranger.

Dress Code
While volunteering two out of the three items listed below must be worn. The dog must wear their bandana. All are provided:
• Volunteer name badge/tag
• Volunteer shirt
• Volunteer hat
• Dogs must wear BARK Ranger bandana.
• Additionally, proper safety equipment (safety glasses, vests, gloves, when required).

Volunteer Description Overview

Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol volunteers patrol City of Fort Collins Natural Areas and Larimer County Open Spaces on bike. Must be a member of the Overland Mountain Bike Association. More information here: OMBA - Diamond Peaks

Volunteer Ranger Assistants (VRAs) serve as a visible presence in the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas and at Larimer County Parks and Open Spaces to enhance the experiences of trail users by providing information, site monitoring, and visitor assistance. VRAs work through the Ranger programs to respond to questions and inquiries, monitor trails, parks, open spaces and natural areas for visitor safety and resource protection, assess timing and types of recreational uses, administer user surveys, and alert rangers to situations that require staff attention. VRA’s may hike, bike, or ride their own horse.

Assist Horticulture staff at Twin Silo Park as they maintain and improve the landscaping. Tasks may include weeding, mulching, planting, harvesting vegetables from our demonstration garden, and assisting with our pollinator projects. Twin Silo is currently undergoing a landscape refresh that focuses on creating habitat for pollinators and local bird species. Shifts are from 8:00AM-10:00AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but volunteers are welcome leave early if their schedule dictates.

The City of Fort Collins Forestry Division maintains over 60,000 trees on public property along streets, and in parks, cemeteries, golf courses and other City facilities. The City is seeking Urban Forest Ambassadors to assist with updating inventory data, performing urban forest health assessments, tree planting events, small tree pruning, and engaging the community in spreading the value and importance of our community’s urban forest! If you feel trees are important in the community, please join us.

"Three-R" Enthusiasts, read on! This is the ONLY volunteer opportunity on the Front Range where you will: 

• Make an important contribution to our community's recycling efforts.
• Receive valuable and hands-on learning about recycling - through action, educational tours and meetings.
• Have the opportunity to pass on your knowledge to others in the community.

We have an opening for a new leader (someone aged 50 or over) of the Donut Make You Wonder discussion group that meets on Friday mornings from 10 - 11 each week.  Training with the current leader can begin in June with the new leader taking over in August (this group does not meet in July this year).

The leader will prepare discussion topics ahead of each meeting as well as pick up the donuts for the meeting.  Topics include current subjects and related personal experiences.  Matters related to religion and politics are avoided to ensure comradery.  Meetings end with a few shared jokes.  

Leader will present the topics and keep the discussions moving.  An outgoing, friendly person will fill this position nicely.  

Volunteers are an extremely important and essential part of the Lincoln Center family.  We rely on our Volunteers to be our eyes and ears and to assist patrons in navigating and participating in the many performances and events we offer.  Volunteers get exposed to a wide array of artistic and professional endeavors including theatrical performances, dance productions, art gallery installations, concerts, and community events.  While Volunteers get to enjoy a majority of the presentations that they work, the emphasis is providing our patrons with a professional and enjoyable experience that makes them want to return time and time again.  

We on-board once a year.  Applications open on or before May 1st, and you will be contacted to set up a brief online interview for a day in June or July.  Training occurs in August with the season running from September to June.

Are you passionate about protecting the environment, navigating real-world regulations, and gaining hands-on experience in sustainability? The Environmental Regulatory Affairs (ERA) Division is looking for an enthusiastic intern to help drive environmental compliance efforts while learning from industry professionals. 

The Community Engagement Team is looking for qualified educators to support water education programs.

Contact Kellie Gorman with questions and interest.

Greet and orient visitors who need assistance. Admin volunteers will have strong computer skills, including MS Office Suite and MS Teams, quick and accurate keyboarding, and the ability to learn new software applications.

Admin volunteers may be placed according to department needs:

Financial Services: Volunteers will assist visitors seeking assistance from Financial Services and direct them to appropriate points of contact in Sales Tax, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Purchasing, Treasury and Accounting.

Human Resources: HR staff have a strong desire to provide exceptional customer service Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00. Physical presence in the office to answer phones and greet visitors is critical. While it would take time to learn how to help the customer, simply being present and taking a message or reaching out to someone in our department will help us attain the level of customer service we strive to provide when we have a staffing gap.

Community Engagement Volunteers are trained in education and outreach techniques to support staff in disseminating information and gaining feedback from the community on department-specific programs. Volunteers will be trained as content experts on various City priorities to answer questions and facilitate meaningful discussions at City-sponsored events.

The City of Fort Collins hosts a number of events throughout the year with the goal of engaging the community in fun, family-friendly experiences. Special events generally consist of activity booths, educational activities, vendor sales, music, etc. Special Event Volunteers will assist with all aspects of event management including set up/tear down, hosting booths, running activities, assisting with refreshments, and/or offering shuttle service. Due to the similarity of Special Events, volunteers can move easily between departments for a wide variety of experiences.