Forest Service seeking Cache la Poudre River ranger volunteers

The Canyon Lakes Ranger District is seeking volunteers who love spending time on and along the Cache la Poudre River to assist the district’s river ranger.

The Cache la Poudre River is Colorado’s only Wild and Scenic River and sees an abundance of use during summer months from rafters, kayakers, anglers and others.

The volunteer is asked to assist the river ranger one to two times a month from May 1 to September 2 and have their own thermal gear, helmet and life jacket. Duties for the volunteer include river patrols with the district’s river ranger; promoting Wild and Scenic River knowledge and values; providing radio support in rescue situations; monitoring of commercial boat outfitters; shuttling boat transport vehicles to and from the river; and others as needed.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have a driver’s license. Skills required for the position include driving a manual transmission vehicle; the ability/certification to swim class 3/4 whitewater; and, if using a kayak, able to boat class 3 or 4 rapids. Skills recommended include swift water rescue training and first aid/CPR.

The Forest Service will provide training, including radio use and protocols, Wild and Scenic River regulations and information, a defensive driving course, and river corridor orientation.

If you are interested or have any further questions, please contact Rob Overstreet, Canyon Lakes River Ranger, at 970-295-6729 or [email protected].