Travelers have become more conscious of their impact on the natural environment and destinations they travel to, including community members they interact with. Regenerative tourism is a paradigm shift that sees humans and nature as part of an interconnected living system, where tourism acts in service of the destination and the well-being of communities and the environment is emphasized above profit and growth.
Regenerative Roaring Fork gives visitors a chance to become stewards of the destinations they love by participating in conservation work at five iconic attractions located between Aspen and Glenwood Springs.
There are five Regenerative Roaring Fork tourism projects to choose from, starting in May 2024. Visitors may register for one, multiple or even all events, which are free. The projects are at different levels of physical ease, some are family-friendly and offer activities for children.
These projects offer a great way to engage in conservation while meeting local members of the community and giving back to the land. Tasks may include working on trail segments or rebuilding amenities. Tools and other equipment are provided to volunteers, along with refreshments and a post-project meal.
Learn more about Regenerative Roaring Fork tourism projects and register below.
Regenerative Roaring Fork Tourism Projects:
Linwood Cemetery/Doc Holliday Cemetery | June 12 | 4 pm - 8 pm | Glenwood Springs
Home to settlers, pioneers, war heroes, and iconic Wild-West characters, such as Doc Holliday, this easily accessible cemetery offers residents and visitors a taste of history among beautiful vistas along the trail. RFOV volunteers will continue the tradition of stewarding this historical landmark through the removal of old fencing, closing off social trails, formalizing existing trails, and stabilizing degrading slopes.
Register here.
Rock Bottom Ranch June 1 | 9 am – 3 pm | Little Explorers Available | Basalt
Originally settled and worked by the Glassier family in the early 1900’s, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) purchased Rock Bottom Ranch in 1999. RFOV will be working along a segment of their 113-acre property to improve two different public trails that connect to the Rio Grande Trail/Bike Path.
Register at: June 1 – Rock Bottom Ranch
Hunter-Smuggler Valley | June 8 | 8:30 am – 3:30 pm | Aspen
This beautiful, historic, and well-trafficked area right outside of downtown Aspen has numerous trails that are beloved by hikers and mountain bikers alike. This trail system is in-need of regular seasonal maintenance work and RFOV is returning to these trails to help prepare them for a busy summer season. Which of these trails is your favorite? Come work on it with RFOV!
Register at: June 8 – Hunter Smuggler
Nature Trail Reroute | August 6, August 13 | 4 pm – 8 pm | Snowmass Village
In 2023, a small sinkhole progressed into a large landslide and cut a swath across the popular Nature Trail in Snowmass Village. The town has since built a bridge to span the damaged area of the trail, but needs your help to rebuild the trail tread in and around the bridge and improve the sustainability of this trail along its length. Come join us for one or both evenings.
Register at: Aug 6 – Nature Trail / Aug 13 – Nature Trail
Coffman Ranch | September 28 | 9 am – 3 pm | Little Explorers Available | Carbondale
Coffman Ranch features 141 acres of productive ranch land, native wildlife habitat, and more than a century of deep agricultural roots. Join us to help create a welcoming place for our community and build deep connections with land, wildlife, and water.
*Little Explorers is open to students ages 4-8 while their parents volunteer. This free program occurs on-site during select Community Projects! Little Explorers includes a scavenger hunt, art with natural materials, and structured nature play for your kids while you take part in the project.
Register at: September 28 – Coffman Ranch
September 28| 9 am – 3 pm | Little Explorers Available | Carbondale
The five tourism organizations of the Roaring Fork Valley– Aspen Chamber Resort Association, Snowmass Tourism, Basalt Chamber of Commerce, Carbondale Tourism, and Visit Glenwood Springs– known collectively as the Roaring Fork Valley Destination Alliance (RFVDA) have partnered with the Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) to create the Regenerative Roaring Fork tourism projects for visitors in each of the five communities of the Roaring Fork Valley throughout the 2024 season.
