Previous Project Sites

#LeaveItBetterThanYouFoundIt

2023 May Queen Fence Removal

Removal of worm fencing within May Queen, cutting down old fencing and loading onto trailer, this should take 4 to 5 hours of work and volunteers can meet in the Butcher Boy Day Use area at 9:00. Bring gloves, water, and sunscreen.

2023 County Road 9c Fence Removal

Remove old fencing along the county road, we will scatter the old fencing and load any pieces that contain spike nails. Meet at the Leadville Ranger Station at 9:00 and we will leave from there to the site. Work shouldn’t take more than a few hours but bring snacks, water, and sunscreen.

2023 Twin Lakes Sign Installation

The District has larger aluminum signs that need to be installed at different sites along Twin Lakes, we are looking for at least 6 volunteers to break off into groups of 2 to have these signs installed. Meet at the Leadville Ranger Station at 9:00 to load supplies and head to Twin Lakes.

2023 Black Cloud Fence and Kiosk Installation

Volunteers will build segments of buck and rail fencing and install the new kiosk; FS employees will be on hand to teach and help with installation. This will take 2 days, August 26th and 27th. We will meet at the Leadville Ranger Station at 9:00. Bring lunch, water, and sunscreen.

Roads and Trail Monitoring

Any volunteers interested in participating in these projects please contact kate.demorest@usda.gov or james.fiorelli@usda.gov and we will line you out with maps and monitoring forms.

2023 Halfmoon Road Fire Ring Clean-up

Please just us on Sunday, October 1st, to clean up the dispersed camping impacts on Halfmoon Road. 

2023 Twin Lakes Forebay Clean Up

Please join us to help remove fire rings, ash, waste, and decommissioning illegal sites from the Forebay dispersed camping area of Twin Lakes. We will meet at 9am at the top of the Twin Lakes Forebay. Fun facts about our workday: We cleaned up 37 fire rings, 65 lbs of trash, addressed 32 ess esses […]

Ski Cooper: Ski with a Ranger Program

Volunteers needed for 2023-2024 Ski with a RangerHave you ever wanted to share how cool our mountains and forest are and ski for free while doing so? The Leadville Ranger District is looking for volunteers to help with the 2023-2024 Ski with a Ranger program at Ski Cooper. Ski with a Ranger offers guided downhill ski […]

Smith/Young Ditch Beaver Deceiver Installation

Meet at the Leadville Ranger Station at 9:00. Signup ahead of time – volunteers MUST bring their own chest waders. Led by Jeni Windorski – USFS Wildlife Biologist.

2024 Willis Gulch Work with Friends of Twin Lakes

Come join FOLC in partnership with Friends of Twin Lakes and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, installing 2 segments of fencing and some signage. We will also replenish road base on approaches to the bridge. Meet at Willis Gulch Trailhead at 9:00 am! Lunch will be provided by the Twin Lakes Inn food truck, courtesy […]

2024 Halfmoon Road Clean Up

Clean-up along Halfmoon Road – a joint project with Runners for Public Lands. With roughly 30 volunteers, this group tackled clearing several loads of trash and dispersing 65 illegal fire rings! A handful of volunteers also installed new buck and rail fencing at the kiln sites (FS – Heritage Resource) along the road to protect […]

2024 Lake County Community Clean Up

Join your community to help pick up trash, weed planters, and more. Trash bags can be picked up at the Volunteer table at the Lake County Courthouse lawn, 505 Harrison Avenue, beginning 9am. Melanzana is donating a Microgrid hoodie for the raffle! We will also be celebrating with a complementary lunch! Please bring your own […]

2024 Twin Lakes Heritage Park Annual Clean Up

We need your help to make the area shine, come enjoy this annual community time with us!  May 18th from 9 am – 12pm.  Please RSVP if you haven’t already so we have an accurate lunch count!  RSVP friendsoftwinlakes@gmail.com.

2024 Trailhead Stewards – Tennessee Pass

Join us for our first Trailhead Stewards project! As a Trailhead Steward, you will help with public outreach and education around practicing good stewardship and how to recreate responsibly on our public lands. In partnership with the Colorado Tourism Office, we’ll be leaning on Leave No Trace principles that have a fun Colorado-specific spin. A […]

2024 Trailhead Stewards – Highline Trail

Join us for our second Trailhead Stewards project! As a Trailhead Steward, you will help with public outreach and education around practicing good stewardship and how to recreate responsibly on our public lands. In partnership with the Colorado Tourism Office, we’ll be leaning on Leave No Trace principles that have a fun Colorado-specific spin. A […]

2024 Mt. Elbert Forebay Cleanup with CMC Outdoor Recreation Leadership students

Join us for a service learning project in partnership with CMC Leadville’s Outdoor Recreation Leadership cohort! This day will likely include some clean up and sign installation – more details to come! Date: September 5, 2024Location: Mt. Elbert ForebayTime: 9:00 am

Bat Box Installation at Interlaken

Join us and USFS wildlife expert Jeni Windorski to install 3-4 bat boxes on posts around the Interlaken Historic area. Folks interested in hiking should meet at the Interlaken Trailhead at 9am, or choose to take your own kayak or canoe out from Red Rooster and meet at the Historic site at 9:30! Volunteers should […]

2025 Friends of Lake County Kickoff Event

Dear Friends of Lake County, We are thrilled to invite you to the Friends of Lake County 2025 Kickoff Event on May 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Southern Fire Station, 141 County Rd. 10. This gathering marks the beginning of another exciting season dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of […]

2025 Twin Lakes Heritage Park Annual Clean Up

We need your help to make the area shine, come enjoy this annual community time with us!  May 17th from 9 am – 12pm.  Please RSVP if you haven’t already so we have an accurate lunch count!  RSVP friendsoftwinlakes@gmail.com.

2025 June Halfmoon Cleanup

Please just us on Sunday, June 15th for our annual clean-up of the dispersed camping impacts on Halfmoon Road.  We will meet at the Halfmoon Road meadow (39°10’00.5″N 106°23’29.7″W.) This project should take about 4 hours. Dress appropriate for the weather and long pants and long sleeve shirts would be the clothes to wear for […]

2025 June Trail Steward Project- Interlaken Trail

Join us from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm on Saturday June 28th for a special Meet & Greet on the Interlaken Trail, where we’ll connect with fellow hikers, share insights about the area, and promote responsible recreation. Our team will be stationed at the trailhead, ready to welcome you with educational materials about the region’s […]

2025 Forest Service Saw Training

The U.S. Forest Service is offering a comprehensive, three-day Basic Chainsaw Training from June 9th to June 11th, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM each day. This hands-on course is designed for individuals looking to develop fundamental chainsaw operation skills for trail maintenance, forest management, and conservation projects. Participants will learn essential safety protocols, […]

2025 Turquoise Lake Nature Trail Bridge Project

Join us for a hands-on volunteer project as we restore the Turquoise Lake Nature Trail Bridge! On July 11th, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (with an additional workday on July 12th if needed), we’ll be replacing the bridge’s handrails and decking to ensure it remains safe and accessible for hikers and nature lovers. […]

2025 Replacement of Hagerman Pass Interpretive Signage

We’re excited to announce the 2025 replacement of the Hagerman Pass interpretive signage, a project made possible by the passion and dedication of regional artist David Castle and his generous support for our community. Join us on July 19th, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM as we install new, updated signs to replace the […]

2025 Twin Lakes Mt. Elbert Forebay Clean-Up

Join us on July 30th, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM for the Twin Lakes Mt. Elbert Forebay Clean-up, a community effort to restore and protect this beautiful outdoor space. We will meet at the South Elbert Trailhead parking lot. Our focus will be on removing trash, cleaning up abandoned fire rings, and ensuring […]

2025 Willis Gulch Trail Steward Project

Join us at the Willis Gulch Trailhead on July 26th from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm for a special Meet & Greet on the Interlaken Trail. We’ll connect with fellow hikers, share insights about the area, and promote responsible recreation. Our team will be stationed at the trailhead, ready to welcome you with educational materials […]

2025 Tennessee Pass Trail Steward Project

Join us at the Tennessee Pass Trailhead on August 2nd from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm for a special Meet & Greet on the Interlaken Trail. We’ll connect with fellow hikers, share insights about the area, and promote responsible recreation. Our team will be stationed at the trailhead, ready to welcome you with educational materials […]

2025 September Halfmoon Cleanup

Join us for the second Halfmoon Clean-up on September 13th, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM as we work together to restore and maintain this well-loved recreation area. Our efforts will focus on removing trash, cleaning up and properly dispersing fire rings, and dismantling old, unnecessary fencing to improve the landscape and visitor experience. […]

2025 Lake County Community Clean-up Day

Join your community to help pick up trash, weed planters, and more on Sunday, June 8th. Trash bags can be picked up at the Volunteer table at the Lake County Courthouse lawn, 505 Harrison Avenue, beginning 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Melanzana is donating a Microgrid hoodie for the raffle! We will also be celebrating […]

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