The Colorado Trail Foundation

06/01/2026

What are trail adopters?

Our volunteer trail adopters help keep the trail open and available for all to use. Each of the 32 sections of the CT are adopted by volunteers. These trail adopters do routine maintenance tasks like remove downed trees, cut branches and trim bushes near the trail so they don't hit you in the face, repair water crossings, and clean our “drains” that allow water to divert off the trail, minimizing erosion.

These annual tasks are the heart of our maintenance program and help keep the trail usable for all. Each season our adopters remove around 1,000 downed trees, clean thousands and thousands of erosion drains, and alert us of any issues they find.

Volunteer trail adopters are a big part of our organization. The next time you see one on the trail make sure and say “Thank you”!

05/30/2026

Our 2026 Trailbuilding Season Kicks off Today!

Our first trail crew of 2026 starts today on section 3 at the “gun club”. This section of trail is near a shooting range and is being moved for safety and user experience. Our crew will be building 2,000 new feet of trail to move the trail further away from the shooting range.

The 2026 season is underway with over 20 CTF and 10 partner projects on the schedule!

05/28/2026

Throwback Thursday!

We officially finished the trail in 1987 and have continued using volunteers as our main workforce since day 1. Each summer volunteers from all over the world come out and help us maintain the CT putting in between 12,000 and 15,000 volunteer hours each season. Volunteers are the backbone of our work and why the CT is so well maintained.

Have you ever volunteered on The Colorado Trail?

05/27/2026

Trail Conditions Update 5/26/26

This winter brought a lot of deadfall down. It will be several more weeks before our adopters can get everything cleared. If you are heading out early, be aware you will be crawling over more trees this time of year.

Northern sections of the CT above 10,000ft such as Georgia Pass, Peak 7 and Hope pass are holding a lot of snow. Central sections of the CT and especially the Collegiate east, are mostly melted out. Monarch pass is still several weeks away from melting and the upper part of Fooses creek still has snow. The Collegiate west is mostly snowed in at the moment, with some south facing sections walkable and north facing sections still mostly snowed in.

We are also noticing that high winds this spring drifted the snow in unusual places. Shady, wooded sections near gullies above 9,000ft sometimes have large drifts of snow on the northern and central sections of the trail. Expect to find snow in weird places this time of year.

Southern sections of the trail seem to be melting out faster than northern and central parts. We have had no reports yet from the high point of sections 21,22, 23.

Ticks are horrible this year! Protect yourself and your pets. Reports from all parts of the trail are that ticks are worse this year than normal.

05/25/2026

There are several memorials to fallen soldiers along The Colorado Trail. Two of the most prevalent are at Camp Hale, and Soldier Stone. Each commemorates the memory and sacrifice of men and women who fought and died overseas.

This Memorial Day we pause and remember the countless men and women who gave their life fighting for our country.

Next time you are at one of these places, pause, remember and be thankful for those who have gone before us and made this great land possible.

05/25/2026

Kind words from our Governor. We are proud to be a part of recreation and community in our great state.

For 40 years, the Colorado Trail has connected people across Colorado — to nature, community, and adventure. Stretching 567 miles from Denver to Durango, the trail is maintained largely by volunteers who preserve this iconic path for future generations. From day hikes to thru-hikes, the trail inspires resilience, connection, and appreciation for Colorado’s outdoors while supporting local communities and tourism along the way.

https://www.rmpbs.org/news/colorado-experience/colorado-experience-building-the-colorado-trail

05/23/2026

Want to hike The Colorado Trail without all the gear?

We still have a few spots on our Section 2 guided hike from Kenosha Pass to Camp Hale, July 12-17. Our guided hikes include all food, drinks, and guide staff. Each day you carry your day pack and water, while our staff sets up a basecamp with prepared meals each evening.

Reserve your spot today!

This is really an enjoyable week of Colorado Hiking. It has it all with the opportunity to cross four different Historic Mountain passes with elevations around 12,000 feet. The daily hikes are shorter (except for the last day) in comparison to other weekly CT trekking hikes, but without sacrificing....

05/22/2026

Did you know that during a fire ban certain types of backpacking stoves are illegal? Read this quick article to see if your stove can be used this summer.

Stove safety Tips while hiking:

-Always use a stable surfaces that cannot burn (dirt, rock etc)
-DON'T use your stove near pine needles, dried grass of in your tent
-Check your stove for leaks or defects daily
-Make sure your stove is cooled off completely before leaving it for the evening
-NEVER leave your stove unattended

Colorado Trail Foundation Stove Choice and Fire Bans

05/20/2026

The Colorado Trail isn't just a line on a map—it’s a living, breathing landscape that requires constant care. 🌲⛏️

Our volunteer trail crews are heading into the backcountry this season to tackle everything from technical rock work to high-altitude maintenance. They bring the muscle; we provide the rest.

Help us "Fuel the Crews" by donating to our 2026 Crew Trail Fund. Whether it’s $25 to help cover a volunteer's registration fee or $500 to sponsor a weekend project, every bit keeps the CT open and beautiful for all to enjoy.
Find out more by clicking the link.

Thank you for your support! Your donation receipt will be sent to you via email to the address provided above after this donation is processed. (Note this only applies to those who donated via online payment. All others will be sent a receipt once the donation is received)

05/20/2026

Join us this Thursday May 21 @ 7pm on Rocky Mountain PBS as the next installment of “The Colorado Experience" features a documentary titled “Building The Colorado Trail”.

We have been working with PBS for the past two years filming this documentary about the rich history of the trail. Hear exclusive interviews, see our volunteers in action and be ready to hear more about this great trail.