Opportunities From: City of Thornton - Volunteer Programs

Demonstration Garden Spring Clean-Up Event     

Do you have some experience in the garden, or would you just like to help out in your community? Come join us for a volunteer event that will get you outside in one of the City of Thornton’s local Demonstration Gardens. The demonstration garden was initially planted in September of 2024 as an example of a water-wise garden.  We are looking to do some weeding and pruning to get it ready to show off this season.

Location: Loma Linda Park- 100th Pl & Grant St ( Near Horan & McConaty Funeral Services) 

Date: May 27th, 2026

Time: 8AM-11AM

What to bring:

·         Water bottle

·         Hat

·         Sun block

·         Sunglasses

Some tools and gloves will be provided, but if you have a preferred set of tools or gloves you are welcome to bring them.

Yardbusters is a summer volunteer program running from June 1 through October 1 that brings neighbors together to support income-qualified seniors and income-qualified individuals with disabilities. Volunteers are matched with a resident for the entire season and help with basic yard care such as mowing lawns, raking, light hand pruning, and weed removal. This assistance helps residents maintain safe, well-kept properties and remain in compliance with municipal codes.

Residents provide the needed tools and lawn equipment, and gloves are available to volunteers upon request. To meet code requirements, volunteers typically visit each home about twice per month during the growing season. Volunteers are welcome to participate on their own, with family members, or as part of a team—making Yardbusters a meaningful way to give back and strengthen our community.

For more information about becoming a Yardbuster, contact Belia at 303-255-7831.

We are looking for help with the fun sport of Bocce Ball this summer! You will be assisting athletes with playing the game of bocce ball and preparing for Special Olympics competitions in late July and August. Practices are on Thursdays at Woodglen Pavilion and the competitions will be on Saturdays. You aren't required to do the competitions but we'd love to have you there. 

You might be assisting athletes with their throwing technique, helping keep score, and helping set up/take down the courts. Most importantly it's about getting to know the athletes and having fun together! 

A brief disability awareness training and background check for volunteers over 18 are required. 

Calling all history buffs! Have a story to share with the public about your life or work in Thornton? We want to hear it and so does your community!

Volunteer to be a greeter at ThorntonFest’s 70th anniversary history tent! Help us celebrate 70 years by sharing your piece of history with visitors of all ages.

Sign up and be part of something historic!

WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m-7 p.m. (shifts 9-11a, 11a-1p, 1-3p, 3-5p, 5-7p)

WHERE: Carpenter Park Field, 108th and Colo Blvd.

Check in at the History Tent on the day of the event. 

Be part of something big at Thorntonfest on June 6, 2026! This signature City of Thornton celebration is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help bring the fun to life.

One of our most popular attractions, “Touch a Truck,” gives attendees a hands-on look at the City’s largest vehicles—and we’re adding a creative twist! Festivalgoers will leave their mark by placing painted handprints on a snowplow blade, creating a one-of-a-kind community art piece. We’re looking for volunteers to help manage this interactive activity.

This year’s event is extra special as we celebrate Thornton’s 70th birthday, making it a festival you won’t want to miss. Multiple volunteer shifts are available, so you can choose what works best for your schedule.

Interested? Respond today and be part of the celebration!

Help us keep things cool at our Juneteenth celebration! We’re looking for a few enthusiastic volunteers to serve ice cream during this fun community event at Carpenter Park on Thursday,  June 18. Your assistance will help create smiles, sweet memories, and a welcoming atmosphere for attendees of all ages.

Come be part of the celebration, connect with the community, and help make this event a success — one scoop at a time!

Community Connections will be hosting a Produce/Food Box distribution for community members in need, and we are looking for volunteers to help make the event welcoming and successful! Volunteers will assist with greeting residents, helping with check-in at the registration area, carrying boxes to vehicles when needed, and supporting the overall flow of the event. Your time and kindness will make a meaningful difference for families in our community.

Meet at Community Connections located at 9471 Dorothy Blvd.

Volunteer at this vibrant celebration of Thornton’s LGBTQIA+ community! Come together in support and connection. We need volunteers to show up between 3:30-5pm, these volunteers will help with  load in,  parking, and assisting with moving materials to the tableing location. We will also need volunteers to  help with load out for vendors at the end of the event. 

Step outside, explore, and discover the incredible biodiversity right in your backyard at Niver Open Space! Join us for a hands-on BioBlitz, where community members team up with scientists to identify as many plant and animal species as possible—all in just a few hours.

With guidance from experts at the Butterfly Pavilion, you’ll learn how to spot and identify local vegetation, insects, and wildlife while contributing valuable data that supports conservation and helps us better understand our natural spaces.

We’re hosting two exciting BioBlitz events:

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or just curious to learn something new, this is a great opportunity to connect with the outdoors, support local science, and be part of something meaningful. Come ready to explore!

Meet at the parking lot located at 88th and Conifer (north side of 88th Ave).  Water will be available. 

We’re looking for community volunteers to help clean up and beautify the area surrounding this historic farm site. Volunteer activities will include painting fencing, picking up trash in the surrounding areas, and assisting with general site improvements. This space will one day be an environmental education area, and your support will help bring that vision to life.

Students: This is a great opportunity to kick off the new school year while earning community service hours for school requirements, clubs, jobs, and scholarship applications!

We will provide water, gloves, and any tools or materials that may be needed.  Please dress for outdoor activity. 

An inclusion partner helps to include an athlete with diverse learning needs and abilities in general city recreation programs. They may assist with giving reminders, demonstrations, and encouragement while working with the  participant and others in the lesson. The inclusion partner also helps the participant to interact with their peers and is sure not to lead a separate lesson from the rest of the group. This is a great way to have fun with a sport or activity you enjoy while helping out and gaining meaningful volunteer experience. 

For summer 2026, we would appreciate help potentially in Track, Tennis and potentially Gymnastics Lessons. We work to make sure it's a good fit between participants, coaches and volunteers before moving forward. Contact becky.post@thorntonco.gov for more info. 

This opportunity is for volunteers interested in helping with one or more various Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation (AIR) Programs. This may include assisting with Art Classes, Social Activities, Gymnastics, Dance, Boxing, Archery, or Sports. One hour per week for 5-10 weeks is the general commitment depending on the program. Volunteers assist with set-up/clean-up at the programs, encouraging participants, giving reminders of the instruction, demonstrating the skills, playing as a teammate or partner, at times pairing up 1:1 to assist with the skills. 

A brief disability awareness training for all volunteers and background check for volunteers over 18 are required. 

Introducing AIR Buds! Through this program, a participant with a disability is paired up with a volunteer based on age and common interests. A brief interview and background check (ages 18+) are required for volunteer buddies over 18. An orientation with the AIR Coordinator is required. After that, buddies are responsible for scheduling when and how they use the recreation center. Examples could be using the pool together, attend a Zumba class together, etc. 

Join us in making your neighborhood entrance or a local park bed shine! This is a great chance to connect with Mother Nature and improve your community. Whether you choose to work alongside neighbors or enjoy some solo time, let’s discover who has a green thumb! Help us by adopting an area that you’d love to see transformed and bring some extra beauty to the space.

This position assists teachers in working with preschool children between the ages of 3-6 in a formal, licensed program.  Requires fingerprinting and background checks.

Volunteers are needed to sit on two public art review panels. Each public art project has a unique selection panel to help advise on the artist review process. Volunteer panel members will meet twice, with one meeting to review and score artist application materials, and a second meeting to recommend the artist (or artist team) that best meets the scope of the project. Learn more about the Public Art Goals and Commission Process.

Questions: Contact PublicArt@ThornotonCo.gov or call (720) 977-5881

Special Event volunteers play a vital role in making events smooth and enjoyable for attendees. We need help with assisting with tasks like decorating for events, set-up, clean up, registration, providing information, along with meet and greet. Volunteer hours are typically week day afternoons from 12p-5p, but we do have a few weekday time events too.