Volunteer Impact

In 2024, 3,970 volunteers dedicated 39,509 hours of service to making Boulder a stronger, safer and more connected community. Through their dedication, these individuals have played a vital role in advancing the City of Boulder’s commitment to the SER Framework—ensuring our community is Safe, Economically Vital, Responsibly Governed, Environmentally Sustainable, Accessible and Connected, Livable and Healthy & Socially Thriving.

From supporting mediation services that reduce legal costs to maintaining open spaces, assisting older adults with technology, and providing vital services to victims of crime, our volunteers help build a sustainable, resilient and inclusive city. Their efforts not only enhance public spaces and infrastructure but also foster community engagement, environmental stewardship and public safety.

Through their service, Boulder volunteers bring the city’s values to life—ensuring access, equity and sustainability remain at the forefront of our shared future. The following highlights illustrate how volunteerism directly contributes to each of the SER goals, demonstrating the collective impact of thousands of hands working together to build a better Boulder.

Volunteers, your generosity and dedication make an impact in Boulder that cannot be overstated. We know there are many worthy causes to which you could dedicate your time, talents and energy and we are so honored that you have chosen to give back in this way.

A welcoming and inclusive community that fosters positive neighborhood and community relations and ensures that all residents are secure and cared for during emergencies and natural disasters. Public infrastructure is well-maintained and reliable, and natural resources like water, air, and land are protected.

• Volunteer victim advocates worked with over 500 victims of crime and critical incidents by acting as liaisons between law enforcement and the victims and witnesses. Additionally, 6 volunteer victim advocates continued to work with the victims and witnesses from the King Soopers shooting and culminated in supporting these individuals through the trial and guilty verdict of the suspect.

"I have not only appreciated all of the amazing service the team has provided to the community, but also what great partners the VAs have been across the city organization to ensure that our whole city can support victims, their families, and community." - Victim Advocate

• Ten staff from across the city have been trained on how to help direct donations and volunteers during a disaster in the city or in Boulder County.
• 38 Shovel A Stop Volunteers spent 39 hours clearing snow to make our bus stops more accessible and safer for the community.

All Boulder community members are able to meet their critical needs, enjoy high levels of social, physical, and mental well-being, and have access to abundant recreational, cultural and educational opportunities in an environment that respects and celebrates human rights.

• 204 volunteers helped connect visitors and local community members to Boulder’s lands. Last year these volunteers talked with over 96,000 students and Open Space users.
• 53 volunteers helped with programming for people with disabilities on Open Space Lands and through the EXPAND recreation program.
• Staff hosted 10 city-wide appreciation events to promote connection between volunteers from different programs and One Day Project volunteers.

"This is the most meaningful job I've ever had--welcoming people, helping them and their families to stay safe while expanding their knowledge and love of the natural world, and fulfilling their desire for adventure and achievement." - OSMP Volunteer Ambassador

“I am really appreciative that OSMP has this program. The opportunity to help improve and restore our open spaces is a gift to our community. Moreover, it is a great way to meet and learn about others in our community in such a different setting.” - OSMP Trail Volunteer

High-performing, safe, and well-maintained buildings and infrastructure that accommodate a diverse set of community needs for working, learning, playing and living.

• Volunteers in the Affordable Housing Technical Review Group spent over 114 hours working to make Boulder’s housing market more affordable for community members by providing recommendations on grant funding and the affordable housing program.
• The Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) spent 120 hours advising City Council on environmental issues, including solid waste disposal, recycling, pollution prevention, energy, green building, integrated pest management and air quality. The EAB also provides advice to other city boards and City Council concerning the effects of city actions on the environment.

A safe, accessible and sustainable multimodal transportation system that connects people with each other and where they want to go. Open access to information is provided both physically and digitally to foster connectivity and promote community engagement.

• Boulder Walk volunteers encouraged community members to walk on public paths creating an awareness and appreciation for public transportation amenities. 100 older adults participated in the 12 monthly walks.
• Volunteers enhanced 96,000 community member and visitor’s connections to Boulder trails and Open Space by serving as educators in school programs and ambassador programs.
• City volunteers partnered with Boulder County Parks and Open Space, United States Forest Service and the Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance to educate bikers on trail safety and protection of wildlife and vegetation, while providing support with conflict or emergencies on the trail.

"The 4th Thursday west Boulder neighborhood older adult walk is nearing the end of its second year. Getting to know and appreciate each other is one reason we walk to connect. It is a joyful group each month, so needed in this stressful moment." - Boulder Walks volunteer

"I have found myself with extra time on my hands while recently unemployed and have been walking and spending a lot of time with my dog in Boulder parks. This has been very therapeutic, and I thought it appropriate to volunteer to help support something I so frequently enjoy. Bonus points I was able to bike to Wonderland Lake Park!" - Weedy Wednesday Volunteer

A sustainable, thriving, and equitable community that benefits from and supports clean energy; preserves and responsibly uses the earth’s resources; and cares for ecosystems.

• 1,300 volunteers gave over 7,000 hours to help maintain our amazing system of parks and trails which are home to many ecosystems from pollinators and birds to deer and prairie dogs.

"I am really appreciative that OSMP has this program. The opportunity to help improve and restore our open spaces is a gift to our community. Moreover, it is a great way to meet and learn about others in our community in such a different setting." - OSMP Trail Volunteer

• 1,400 volunteers gave over 3,000 hours to hand weed parks and flowerbeds, preventing the use of herbicides or pesticides.

"I love working/being outdoors and I don't have a garden or green space of my own." -Target Boulder Volunteer at Tantra Park

• 27 volunteers planned and ran our annual Bee+ Boulder Festival educating the community about the importance of pollinators.

A local government that provides an excellent customer experience, responsibly manages the city’s assets, and makes data-driven decisions informed by community engagement inclusive of those who have been historically excluded from government programs and services. The city organization exemplifies an employer of choice with policies and programs to support employee inclusion and well-being.

Volunteers are crucial in the city’s efforts to be responsibly governed by stewarding our physical assets around the community.

• 707 Open Space and Mountain Parks trail volunteers gave 4,551 hours of one-time support to maintain and improve the physical trail assets we have.

"The experience was very satisfying. As someone who is actively using various trails throughout Boulder, having the chance to give back to the trails and support those who work tirelessly day by day on the trails helps show appreciation of the hard work it takes to maintain our outdoor playground." - OSMP Trail Volunteer

• Park Champs monitored the cleanliness of public spaces by providing maintenance like graffiti removal, and used Inquire Boulder to report items they observe needing staff maintenance.

A healthy, accessible, resilient, and sustainable economy based on innovation, diversity, and collaboration that benefits all residents, businesses, and visitors.

• Mediation and Restorative Justice volunteers provided mediation services for 60 different cases, saving community members money on expensive lawyer fees.
• Older Adult Services volunteers offered technological support and learning resources to keep older adults informed, connected and available to access support.
• Volunteer advisory groups provided over 1,000 hours of economic guidance to staff and City Council.
• Boulder Parks and Recreation and Open Space and Mountain Park volunteers helped keep our public resources like open space, parks, the Boulder Creek and recreation centers looking and feeling welcoming to local community members and visiting tourists.

"I really appreciate that the city provided the history of the project we were involved with and also the vision for the future. It enriched the experience for our volunteers to know the bigger picture of what they were a part of that day. The staff make everyone feel very welcome and ensure everyone has a task to do with great instructions and all the necessary tools, safety gear, snacks, etc. They are so kind, easy-going, appreciative and positive. It's a great break from the stressful corporate work environment." - S&P Global Volunteer at Primos Park