Volunteer

Volunteers-In-Parks (VIPs) contribute thousands of hours to Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site each year. We genuinely appreciate your interest in volunteering at Bent's Old Fort. VIPs can include couples, individuals, school groups, scouts, clubs, and organizations. VIPs may donate several months at a time or perhaps just a few hours. Bent's Old Fort provides several unique opportunities in the National Park Service for volunteers. Below are some of the positions that can be found on volunteer.gov.

Visitor Services Volunteer: If you enjoy talking about the American West and helping visitors plan their activities in the area, the park could use your expertise. A minimum time commitment of 8 hours a month is required.

Maintenance: Trail cleanup, road maintenance, trash removal, and basic landscaping are always in need at the park.

Western National Parks Association Sales and Information: The park store at the fort is operated by Western National Parks Association (WNPA). Volunteer clerks assist with the stocking, merchandising, and sale of educational and interpretive products. If interested in this opportunity, please call 719 384-2800.

Living History Volunteer: Living History programs are a favorite for many visitors to Bent's Old Fort. Volunteer living historians portray trappers, traders, travellers, and others who worked at or passed through Bent's Fort in the 1830s-1840s. A minimum time commitment of 50 hours annually is required.

Boy scouts, school groups, clubs, and organizations: Every year Bent's Old Fort welcomes larger groups for a day or days of service. To organize a day of service at the park, please contact us at least one month in advance.

If you are interested in learning more about the volunteer opportunities or would like a volunteer application please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 719 383-5051.

 

 

Current Volunteer Opportunities

 

Firearms in the Park

Under 43 C.F.R. § 20.511, Departmental volunteers in the course of their official duties are prohibited from possessing firearms on property under control of the Department. Because of the stated purpose of the sponsors of Section 512 to provide uniformity under applicable state law from bureau-to-bureau, the potential liability issues that could result, and the absence of any criminal penalties applicable to this regulation, this Departmental policy continues to apply to all NPS/FWS employees and volunteers during their official duties. Volunteers who are not on official duty may possess firearms on Departmental lands under the same conditions applicable to members of the general public, according to P.L. 111-24, Section 512. For this purpose, volunteers are considered the same as other employees when engaged in their official activities