Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training
About PPRCLT
Brand New for 2026
Tier 1 Crew Leader Training
The newly added Tier 1 certification focuses on building capacity for unsupervised work tasks for already certified Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leaders. This training provides an opportunity to help create a pathway for more volunteer energy to hit the ground. Tier 1 projects will include leading volunteers on ranger-approved, unsupervised Trash Collection, Noxious Weed Management, Corridor Pruning, and Closure and Rehabilitation volunteer days.
Saturday, May 2
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
$20
Registration invites have been sent to eligible, certified Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leaders.
Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training in it's orginial format will return in 2027.
The Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training is an intensive training for experienced volunteers who are interested in becoming certified Volunteer Crew Leaders. The training is hosted in partnership by Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Trails and Open Space Coalition, and the City of Colorado Springs, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department.
Volunteer Leaders Expand Our Impact
The Crew Leaders
Each year, thousands of volunteers donate their time to help care for parks, trails, and open spaces in the Pikes Peak Region. This generosity of time and labor is necessary for the upkeep of our local parks, but has also created a need for trained volunteer crew leaders who are able to assist land managers and stewardship organizations by leading these critical trail and restoration projects. While in the training, participants will learn how to lead safe, successful trail projects and develop basic trail construction and restoration skills. These Crew Leaders then go through a certification process involving two shadowing leadership workdays in partnership with the training organizations, RMFI, TOSC, and the City of Colorado Springs. Once certified, Crew Leaders must maintain their certification by helping to lead, at minimum, one trail or restoration project day each field season.
Crew Leaders who have completed the 3-day training and earned a full certificate can then choose to pursue a higher certification under the new Tier 1 certification, new as of 2026. To lead volunteers on ranger-approved unsupervised projects with the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. Tier 1 Projects will include ranger-approved Trash Collection, Noxious Weed Management, Corridor Pruning, and Closure and Rehabilitation.
Eligibility & Certification
PPRCLT is designed for experienced trail and restoration volunteers looking to advance into a leadership role.
Tier 1 PPRCLT is designed for Certified Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leaders to perform ranger-approved, unsupervised work tasks. Providing an opportunity can help create a pathway for more volunteer energy to hit the ground.
Applicants must have prior trail workday experience in order to participate in this training.
In order to be eligible, candidates should:
- Have participated in at least two trail or restoration workdays prior to being enrolled in Crew Leader Training.
- Must be able to pass a mandatory criminal background check (at no charge to the trainee). The background check will be sent to applicants prior to their acceptance in the training.
- Attend the all days on the training.
If you have questions, please contact Calla Balliett, at calla@rmfi.org
Additional Requirements for those looking to lead volunteer days within City of Colorado Springs Parks properties:
Those who have completed PPRCLT and want to volunteer as a Crew Leader for City of Colorado Springs Parks properties have additional requirements to meet. Those who volunteer for other land management agencies may or may not have other requirements not listed here.
- Crew Leaders who have completed PPRCLT must complete 2 additional certification workdays as an assistant Crew Leader under the guidance and supervision of either Rocky Mountain Field Institute or a City of Colorado Springs Park Ranger. These certification days must take place within the same calendar year as training, most opportunities will occur prior to October 1st. Those who fail to complete these days will not be certified to lead volunteers for the City of Colorado Springs.
- Once certified, Crew Leaders will maintain their certification by completing at minimum ONE workday with any organization of their choosing as a Crew Leader each field season. If you fail to renew your certification you will not be able to lead volunteer days on City of Colorado Springs properties. The Crew Leader's code of conduct must be upheld or certification status will not be granted/renewed at the discretion of the applicable Pikes Peak Region Land Management Agency.
In order to be eligible for Tier 1, candidates should:
- Taken and completed Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training.
- Completed the above-listed 2 certification days within the year of your initial certification AND turned in your appraisal forms from your 2 certification days.
- Must be able to pass a mandatory criminal background check.
- Attend the full-day training.
Training Videos
Trail Tool Videos!
These videos were created by the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department and provide general overviews of tool safety and common trail tools used in stewardship projects.
Apply Today!
Ready to register for Tier 1 Crew Leader Training
Registration is currently available to those who are certified Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leaders who completed their full certification (all 3 days of training and 2 additional certification appraisal days). An email was sent for registration to those eligible at this time.
If you did not receive an email to register, we could have an old or incorrect email address on file for you, or if you feel you should be eligible but did not receive an email, please contact Calla at calla@rmfi.org for assistance.
Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training
Before you apply, you must have previously participated in at least two trail workdays. If you have not previously participated in two trail workdays we ask that you use the 2025 season to volunteer and revisit training in 2026. Visit www.rmfi.org and/or www.trailsandopenspaces.org to find volunteer opportunities this season.
Tier 1 Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader
- Taken and completed Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training.
- Completed the above-listed 2 certification days within the year of your initial certification AND turned in your appraisal form for your 2 certification days.
Please contact Calla at calla@rmfi.org if you have questions. We are happy to answer questions and discuss eligibility for training.
Yes. If you cannot attend the entire training, please do not apply. If you are not able to complete the additional City of Colorado Springs requirements for those seeking a City Certification please do so apply, as your certification days must be completed within the same year as training; most certification workday opportunities will occur prior to October 1.
For those seeking to complete the additional requirements for leading volunteer days on City of Colorado Springs properties:
- An appraisal form will be emailed to you upon completion of training and provided to you as part for your packet. It is your responsibility to being an appraisal form with you to your certifying days.
- These can ONLY be completed with the Rocky Mountain Field Institute or a City of Colorado Springs Park Ranger
- For completing these days with RMFI please use our Volunteer Calendar here and contact calla@rmfi.org to RMFI know you'll be an assistant Crew Leader for the volunteer day.
- For completing these days with a City of Colorado Springs Park Ranger you will need to coordinate volunteering with the Park Ranger.
- Both days may NOT be completed with the same group. e.g. if you you lead a volunteer day for a Friends group your second day must be with another group/RMFI.
- If you are having trouble scheduling or finding opportunities, Calla is here to help you. Reach out at calla@rmfi.org for any questions or assistance.
Tier 1 Projects :
- Trash Collection
- Noxious Weed Management
- Corridor Pruning
- Closure and Rehabilitation
After requesting, planning, and approvals from Parks Rangers.
Tier 1 projects can be completed unsupervised.
Projects completed will be assessed by city representatives, and with positive assessment comes more approved unsupervised projects.
For City of Colorado Springs certified Crew Leaders:
Once certified, Crew Leaders will maintain their certification by completing at minimum ONE workday with any organization of their choosing as a Crew Leader each field season. If you fail to renew your certification you will not be able to lead volunteer days on City of Colorado Springs properties. The Crew Leader's code of conduct must be upheld or certification status will not be granted/renewed at the discretion of the applicable Pikes Peak Region Land Management Agency.
Other Land Management Agencies:
Other Land Managers may not have the same requirements as the City of Colorado Springs please ensure you know what the agency you are working with requires.
New Skills:
RMFI offers many volunteer days each year where volunteers help with advanced trail structures that we just cannot teach all in one training. We encourage you to attend days with RMFI or other professional trail-building organizations to broaden your skills!
Tier 1 Certification:
Once, certified. Tier 1 Crew Leaders need to follow all procedures and requirements for Tier 1 projects outlined at training by the City. Projects completed will be assessed by city representatives, and with positive assessment comes more approved unsupervised projects. The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services has final say on projects, and a Tier 1 Crew Leader's ability to continue to lead unsupervised projects.
Before filling out the program application and paying the non-refundable application fee, you may contact Calla Balliett at calla@rmfi.org to discuss any concerns about the background check.