Ongoing Adult Volunteer Programs
Make the most of your passion for plants and the natural world. Volunteer opportunities support nearly every area of our operations.
Requirements for joining the adult volunteer program:
- Be at least 18 years of age (here are Teen Volunteer Programs)
- Submit a new ongoing volunteer program interest form
- Watch the new volunteer orientation video
- Complete a volunteer placement interview
- Complete a background check form
- Attend a new volunteer welcome visit
You can contact Volunteer Services at 720-865-3609 or vol@botanicgardens.org.
New Volunteer Interest Forms for 2024 Adult Ongoing Volunteers are no longer being accepted. Please check back in February 2025 when our Adult Ongoing Volunteer onboarding will resume.
If you are interested in supporting the Gardens now, please visit our Special Events Volunteer page to sign up as a special events volunteer throughout the fall and winter seasons.
Opportunities at York Street
Visitor Experience
Volunteer positions include welcoming, greeting and engaging Denver Botanic Gardens visitors to create an exceptional visitor experience. Volunteers may serve as ambassadors in our visitor center, greeters in indoor and outdoor space or support our gift shop staff team.
Education Programs
Volunteer positions include guiding and facilitating discovery with small groups of children through program activities, supporting program preparation and hands-on activities for children or supporting ongoing adult education programming.
Horticulture Support
Volunteer positions include working directly with dedicated horticulture staff on various garden duties. Volunteer shifts for horticulture take place on weekday mornings from spring through fall and may have limited availability.
Affiliate Organization
Denver Botanic Gardens Guild: Volunteers can join this affiliate volunteer organization that has supported the Gardens for over 60 years. This group contributes to the Gardens financially and through volunteer work.
Opportunities at Chatfield Farms
Visitor Experience
Volunteer positions include welcoming, greeting and engaging Denver Botanic Gardens visitors to create an exceptional visitor experience. Volunteers assist with greeting guests and answering general questions about the farm and the butterfly house.
Education Programs
Volunteers are needed to engage with small groups of children facilitating hands-on program activities related to plants, ecosystems and life on the farm.
Horticulture Support
Volunteer opportunities include supporting our dedicated staff in garden areas such as our historic iris garden, our lavender garden and native plant gardens. Volunteer shifts for horticulture at Chatfield Farms take place on weekday mornings from late spring through fall.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Volunteers can get involved with the CSA assisting with production, harvest and maintenance of the fields where food is grown, supporting food share distribution to shareholders, as well as volunteering in the cut flower garden.
Affiliate Organization
Rocky Mountain Weavers' Guild: Chatfield Farms is home to the Janice Ford Memorial Dye Garden where you can find 15 varieties of plants being grown and harvested to be used for natural dyeing projects. This garden is used and managed by a non-profit called the Rocky Mountain Weavers' Guild. Volunteers interested in assisting in the Dye Garden must become an ongoing volunteer with Denver Botanic Gardens and a member of the Rocky Mountain Weavers' Guild.
Opportunities at Plains Conservation Center
Volunteer opportunities at Plains Conservation Center support education programming, garden maintenance opportunities and engaging visitors during community engagement events and activities.