Volunteer FAQ

Volunteers help out with projects ranging from office-related work to field surveys to public information presentations to trapping wildlife. To obtain a better idea of the scope and range of opportunities for CDOW volunteers, go to the Volunteer Opportunities page and check out what is available in your part of the state. You must be signed up as a volunteer to participate.

How do I become a volunteer?

Before you volunteer on the project, you will need to complete a volunteer application and/or attend an orientation if one is offered in your area. Check out the Getting Started page for more details.

How long is my commitment? How much time do I have to contribute?

Your commitment extends for the term of the project, or, in the case of an ongoing project, for the term determined between you and the volunteer coordinator or project supervisor. You will know before participating in a project how much time will be involved. All that is asked of you is that you honor your commitment!

Some volunteers assist us full-time! We also have volunteers who can only devote a few hours a month or year to their volunteer work. Regardless of the time you have available, what you do give is honored and appreciated.

I don’t know anything about wildlife. Can I still help?

Indeed! All you need is a desire to help preserve the wildlife resources of Colorado! Folks come to us with just about every type of background imaginable. There are CDOW volunteers with no wildlife experience and those with advanced degrees. Everyone is welcome! Some projects do require specialized skills and knowledge, but there are many, many others for which you probably already have the basic skills and we can help you with the knowledge end of it. After all, most volunteers come to learn!

Also, there are other skills necessary to support wildlife that are not wildlife related. Do you have clerical, computer or other skills? Let us know.

I want to work for the Colorado Division of Wildlife someday. Will volunteering help me get a job?

This is a very valid reason for volunteering, here or anywhere else. Though volunteering with the CDOW will not necessarily enhance your employment opportunities, it cannot do any harm. The State of Colorado has an employment process considerably different from that which you may know in the private sector. You can read more about employment with the Division of Wildlife by exploring Career Paths on the jobs page.

I love animals. Will I be able to do hands-on work with them?

Hands-on contact with wildlife is rarely a part of the regular work of DOW employees. Our philosophy is, the less physical contact we have with wildlife, the better off they will be. Many projects do provide an opportunity to view wildlife in their natural habitats. Most volunteer projects involve improving wildlife habitat or providing information to the public about wildlife.

How can I learn about volunteer projects now?

Go to the "Volunteer Opportunities" page and read all about ‘em!

This page, along with the newsletter, Call of the Wild, is updated at least quarterly. You can download a copy of Call of the Wild, or simply Contact Us! Remember, you must fill out an application to participate.

How old do I have to be to volunteer?

To volunteer with the CDOW as an individual, you must be at least eighteen years of age or have the signed permission of a parent or guardian. Minors will not be permitted to do certain work in accordance with Working Rules for Minors, both Federal and State.

What happens if I am injured while working as a volunteer?

Though injuries are very, very rare, and though we do everything we can to prevent them from happening, happen they do. If you are injured or have an accident while working as a volunteer, you would first submit a claim for medical/auto expenses to your personal insurer. The Volunteer Program maintains an insurance policy for volunteers which is know as "secondary" insurance; that is, it will help with insurance claims if you do not have insurance or if your private insurance coverage has been exhausted. You would not be covered, at this time, by Worker’s Compensations insurance.

Is the time I contribute as a volunteer tax-deductible?

Your volunteer contributions may be tax-deductible. (You will have to check with your tax preparer or other tax professional for details.) Generally, out-of-pocket expenses are deductible if you itemize your return, while time you contribute is not deductible.

Do I keep track of how much time I spend working for the CDOW? Why is that important? What does the CDOW do with the information?

Knowing how much time you spend volunteering for the CDOW is very important to us for several reasons. We have annual formal and informal get-togethers, at which we want to recognize you for your contributions. We also need to report to the agency the value of volunteer efforts on behalf of the Division. Volunteer hours can also be used as "matching" funds for certain types of grants and gifts that the Division of Wildlife may be eligible for.

I have a degree in a natural resources, wildlife-related field. What can I do to help?

We welcome anything you choose to do with us! Many wildlife professionals (and hoping-to-be professionals) are registered with us as volunteers to gain experience in their fields, learn new skills and "polish" old ones, add to their classroom learning, and to stay current on developing practices and procedures.

I have a regular job during the week. Can I volunteer on weekends?

Most of the CDOW personnel with whom you might work are on a weekday schedule just like you. We recognize this and try to work around this fact when designing projects. The result is that some projects are done on weekends, evenings, or, in some cases, can be done independently and/or from home.

Last Updated: 6/20/2011 3:38 PM