The Open Space Board of Trustees on April 9 recognized Open Space and Mountain Parks volunteers and heard a summary of the department’s volunteer program for 2024.

Debbie Cushman, volunteerism and service learning program manager for OSMP, told the board the department recorded more than 1,600 volunteers in 2024 who together logged over 20,000 hours of work. Cushman said volunteer labor equated to roughly $750,000 of work on the land in 2024 and that the department’s one‑day projects, long‑term program volunteers (trail ambassadors, raptor monitors, bike patrol) and community partnerships together make up the effort.

“Visitors are so impressed that the city has friendly volunteers providing outreach on trails,” Cushman said as she summarized testimonials. The board read a declaration recognizing National Volunteer Week; Harmon Zuckerman recited the proclamation and thanked volunteers for protecting resources and providing public outreach.

Volunteers present and spotlight awards

OSMP staff brought two long‑service volunteers to the meeting: Mitch Smith, a bike patroller who has served since 2008 and who was identified by staff as the department’s highest‑hour volunteer (more than 3,500 hours), and Chuck Anderson, a bike patroller who manages the volunteer hours database and helped build partnerships with equestrian groups. Staff noted partnerships with the Boulder County Horsemen’s Association and outreach efforts that pair mounted volunteers with bike outreach tables at trailheads.

Why it matters: OSMP volunteers supplement city staff capacity, provide public safety and visitor outreach on trails, contribute to habitat stewardship and reduce program costs. Cushman said volunteers deepen public connection to the land and help the city deliver programs it could not otherwise afford at current staffing levels.

Board discussion

Trustees thanked volunteers and asked how board members could engage directly with volunteer programs; OSMP invited trustees to attend or shadow volunteer activities including bat monitoring, raptor monitoring, bike patrol rides and one‑day trail projects. Board members also noted the volunteer program’s role in public safety (assisting visitors after sunset, outreach and search and rescue support) and emphasized the importance of continuing volunteer recruitment for family and youth programs.

Ending: Staff said National Volunteer Week will be celebrated throughout April and that OSMP will continue to recruit volunteers for seasonal needs and for family‑oriented programming in 2025.