Dedicated to Fire Restoration in Glenwood Canyon
It’s been five years since the Grizzly Creek Fire tore through Glenwood Canyon, burning more than 32,000 acres and reshaping the future of some of our favorite trails, including Grizzly Creek and Hanging Lake. What the flames spared, the floods soon claimed.
In 2021, heavy rains on the burn scar triggered destructive debris flows, washing out entire sections of trail, burying bridges, and rerouting creek channels. RFOV collaborated with local governments, nonprofits, and land managers to establish the Glenwood Canyon Restoration Alliance, mobilizing community support for long-term recovery.
Four years later, the restoration work continues—and so does our community’s commitment. This month, our volunteers will return to both Grizzly Creek (Sept. 20th) and Hanging Lake (Sept. 27th) for the first time since the flooding. Fire restoration takes time, but our dedicated stewardship crew is committed to creating lasting solutions. Stay tuned for post-project updates!
Building Pride, Purpose, and Stewardship
with Spruce Up Your School
With three school projects planned for this fall, Spruce Up Your School (SUYS) is on track to engage over 1,000 students and contribute 2,000 hours of impactful, hands-on stewardship in 2025 alone. These efforts not only improve school campuses - they also serve our mission: to cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the environment in the next generation of stewards.
This past spring, RFOV completed five SUYS initiatives across the Roaring Fork Valley. RFOV returned to Cactus Valley Elementary in Silt and Kathryn Senor Elementary in New Castle, and, for the first time, partnered with Graham Mesa Elementary (Rifle), Crystal River Elementary (Carbondale), and Roaring Fork High School (Carbondale). Each project is unique, while offering students hands-on opportunities to learn about environmental stewardship and habitat restoration.
Breaking Barriers on the South Rim Trail
Accessibility Trail Maintenance with Challenge Aspen and TOSV
Last month, RFOV teamed up with Challenge Aspen and the Town of Snowmass Village to make the South Rim Trail safer and more accessible for people with disabilities. This trail is one Challenge Aspen often uses to take clients in off-road wheelchairs to enjoy stunning views, but some sections posed real hazards, with steep edges and narrow tread that increased the risk of tipping.
Before the project day, our teams scouted the trail in off-road wheelchairs themselves. That firsthand experience gave us valuable insight and allowed us to design improvements that would have a positive impact. Together, we widened sections of the trail and adjusted the outslope to create a safer, more enjoyable route for adaptive recreation.
Projects like this remind us that trail work is about more than dirt and rock—it’s about access, equity, and making sure everyone has the chance to experience the joy of the outdoors. Huge thanks to Challenge Aspen and the Town of Snowmass Village for their partnership in stewarding our public lands for all!
On the Ground: Field Highlights
Volunteer of the Month: Jim Callaway
Thank you, Jim! We appreciate your help and kindness on every project you attend.
Here's what Jim says: “The Roaring Fork Valley is a very special environment, which like many of our neighbors, my wife and I love to explore. We don't wish to take it for granted that the natural beauty that surrounds us today will remain as pristine without sustained stewardship from the community. By volunteering with RFOV, I get many opportunities to contribute to RFOV's mission to protect our public lands.
Final Projects of 2025
Sep. 13th - Latino Conservation Week: Veltus Park Planting Project
Sep. 14th - Filoha Meadows Fence and Invasives Removal
Sep. 20th - Grizzly Creek
Sep. 25th - Red Hill Community Night
Sep. 27th - Hanging Lake
Sep. 28th - Coffman Ranch + Little Explorers
Oct. 4th - 30th Anniversary Commemorative Project at Rifle Falls
Oct. 16th - Red Hill Community Night
Upcoming Events
Your Brain On Nature with Florence Williams
You're invited to spend an evening with award-winning science journalist Florence Williams for an exploration of why spending time in nature—and volunteering—benefits our health, wellbeing, and creativity. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and global medical research, Florence reveals how the outdoors shapes our minds and bodies, and what we can do about today's growing disconnection from nature. Don’t miss this engaging discussion that blends science, storytelling, and actionable ideas for reconnecting with nature.
Event Details
Friday, September 19th
Dunaway Room at Pitkin County Library
5:30 pm
Meet & Greet with Florence + RFOV
6:00 pm
Community Talk &
Book Signing
RFOV's End-of-Season Appreciation Party
Each year, we come together to celebrate the people who make our mission possible—our volunteers, members, partners, sponsors, and friends. We hope you join us for a fun evening of sharing stories, honoring our volunteers, and enjoying a buffet dinner by La Raza and drinks. It’s our way of saying thank you for the dedication and spirit that fuel this community!
Event Details
Thursday, October 9th
5:00 - 8:00 pm
Location:
Community Hall at the Third Street Center
More in Local Stewardship
The Roaring Fork Outdoor Coalition wants to hear from you!
Your feedback will guide conservation priorities across the region. If you live, work, or play in the Roaring Fork Valley, please take the time to share your thoughts. The survey closes on September 14, 2025—don’t miss your chance to weigh in.
The 6th Annual Pristine Riders Fall Trash Crush community clean-up and environmental stewardship event is being held on Friday, September 12th, from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM, rain or shine, meeting at North Star Nature Preserve’s South Gate parking lot. Adults ages 18 and older & kids accompanied by adults are invited. Sun protection, long pants, work gloves, drinking water, and extra clothing in case of inclement weather are suggested. More information and registration are available by contacting organizer Erik Skarvan at sundog@sopris.net or (970) 925-1069.
Don't miss the “Crisis of the Commons” series by Paul Anderson, Aspen Journalism
This 3-part series explores the stories behind our shared public lands: how they’ve been shaped, used, and sometimes stretched thin. It’s a reminder that these places belong to all of us, and that caring for them—through trail work, stewardship, and community action—is at the heart of RFOV’s mission.
Sponsor Spotlight: Aspen Public Radio
From Aspen Public Radio:
It’s a privilege for Aspen Public Radio to have a strong relationship with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers. We were thrilled to be a lead media sponsor for RFOV’s 30th Anniversary Project Season and to collaborate on the Backcountry Symposiums in 2024 and 2025. In our forty-fourth year, Aspen Public Radio serves as an educator, convener, and connector for the Roaring Fork Valley. This year, we launched a new Climate Desk, hiring Michael Fanelli to report exclusively on local, regional and national climate and environmental issues. You can explore this reporting at aspenpublicradio.org/environment.
More Ways to Support
THE ASPEN PLEDGE
Simply by signing the Aspen Pledge, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) will make a donation on your behalf to Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers.
Go to citymarketrewards.com
Login or create an account
When asked to "Link your card", choose "Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteer" from the list of organizations
