Get Involved: Lathrop State Park

Colorado Parks and Wildlife values the right of every visitor to experience our state's natural beauty. To provide this opportunity to the disabled community, Lathrop State Park offers the use of the TrackMaster Track Chair, which allow visitors with mobility limitations to explore designated trails within the park along with opportunities to fish.

Responsibilities:

As a volunteer your responsibilities will be to hike alongside track chair participants and ensure they have a safe and educational trip! Trainings usually occur in late spring, and trips run end of May through November on Saturdays-Sundays. Please contact us for more information.

If you have a love for birds then this project is for you! Trained nest box monitors will check for breeding behaviors on a weekly basis and enter the data collected into a national database called NestWatch. This is a great project for new birders and no prior experience is needed. 

Lathrop State Park is located in a moderate climate at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. There are many scenic attractions to visit in the area, including the Sand Dunes National Park, US Forest Service hiking trails, and scenic byways. On the park, volunteers can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, golf, archery, birdwatching, or boating.

The camp worker position is ideal for volunteers who don't want to work with the public but want to help with park upkeep. 

Responsibilities:

The position is 20 hours per week of general park maintenance including:

• mowing
• trash removal
• general upkeep (painting, repair within skill level, etc). 
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds.

Site Elevation:

6400 ft

Lathrop State Park is located near the exceptionally scenic Sangre de Cristo Mountains in southern Colorado and has a great view of the Spanish Peaks. Located near Walsenburg and La Veta, Lathrop State Park offers a wide range of outdoor natural recreation opportunities including, fishing, boating, golfing, trails, archery range, photography and much more. 

Responsibilities:

• Greet visitors
• Clean campsites
• Clean bathrooms
• Collect trash
• Light maintenance and landscaping
• Other tasks as assigned

Elevation:

 6500 feet

Positions mostly full for 2025 season, but still looking for 1 more host from mid-August through October!

Pairs, individuals, families with children, and people who are still working/in their careers (e.g. working remotely) are welcome to apply. Hosts are permitted to have pets.

Water new planted trees and shrubs, prune, weed, and remove litter from garden area. Generally help keep garden maintained and beautiful! 

Contact Stacey at [email protected] to sign up for shifts

• Assist with park maintenance, construction, and repair.
• Construct fences.
• Cleanup park grounds and facilities.
• Complete special or seasonal maintenance tasks as needed. (For example: boat dock repair).
• Complete carpentry, remodeling or other construction projects.
• Provide landscape design expertise.
• Make park information signs.
• Assist with minor vehicle/boat/equipment repairs and maintenance.

Assist park staff with education programs on weekend evenings.

If you enjoy interacting with people while being outdoors, this may be the opportunity for you! 

Trail ambassadors are asked to walk, hike, or bike trails within the park to greet visitors, monitor trail conditions, answer questions, practice Leave No Trace Principles, and alert park staff of any emergencies or safety concerns. Trail ambassadors must act as responsible role models and present a friendly face to park visitors. 

Visitor Center/Office Support. Greet visitors, answer phones, and questions. Sell park passes and licenses and perform other clerical tasks. Staff a visitor center information desk or sales outlet. Coordinate a special event. Design and prepare exhibits, displays, and bulletin boards. Market and advertise park programs. Write and edit newsletters, brochures, fact sheets, and manuals. Produce artwork or graphic design for publications, signs, flyers, or exhibits.