Help Shape the Future of the State’s Highest Peaks

Jay McKinney

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, climbing mountains and preserving Colorado’s natural beauty, then the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) has the perfect opportunity for you. After a 2020 hiatus due to the pandemic, the CFI has opened up 2021 volunteer opportunities working to preserve trails on a number of our state’s fourteeners.

During the summer months Colorado residents flock to the mountains to climb our tallest peaks and take in the breathtaking views. With over 50 fourteeners, Colorado is lucky to have these recreational attractions scattered across the state. However, preserving these fragile ecosystems and maintaining the mountain trails is often an overlooked aspect of their accessibility.

Luckily, the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative is dedicated to protecting these mountain wildernesses and this summer there are multiple volunteer opportunities available for registration. From single-day opportunities on Mount Democrat and Quandary Peak to more rigorous multi-day excursions on Shavano, Massive, Yale and Holy Cross, there is something for outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Volunteer Coordinator of the CFI Hannah Clark says, “The ideal volunteer is someone who likes hard work, has a passion for the outdoors and an interest in protecting the fourteeners.”

According to Clark, the estimated 288,000 annual hikers, violent summer thunderstorms and heavy winter snow takes a heavy toll on even the most sustainable trails. The fact that fourteener trails were originally user-created, with hikers going straight up the most convenient route has not been helpful in preserving these wilderness areas, especially with the increased traffic in recent years.

“A lack of properly designed and constructed summit trails leads to erosion and natural resource impacts in the fragile alpine tundra environment,” Clark says. “CFI builds and maintains sustainable routes to accommodate hiking use while minimizing damage to sensitive alpine plant and animal communities. Once a sustainable route has been constructed, we close, stabilize, and restore trampled and eroded areas to encourage natural recovery.”

14er Volunteers doing trail restoration @ Mt. Elbert (Bobby Burch Photography) (1).jpg

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, although youths aged 14-17 can participate as long as they are accompanied by an adult. “The descriptions on our website rate the projects by work difficulty and hike difficulty, to help guide folks in choosing the project they’re most suited for or interested in,” Clark says.

While the June and July projects are filling up quickly, you can still register to be placed on the waitlist as cancellations can occur. Additional opportunities will also become available on June 1, 2021, and throughout the season. After a stir-crazy year of encouraged isolation, this is a great chance to get outside and help preserve our state’s beauty.

Jay McKinney is a Colorado native who recently graduated from Metro State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He loves spending time outdoors, playing golf and hiking.