Opportunities From: City of Thornton - Volunteer Programs

Celebrate Earth Day with us on Wednesday, April 22!

Earth Day is a global event dedicated to protecting our planet and promoting sustainability. This year, we’re rolling up our sleeves to give back to nature by building birdhouses and bat boxes that will be placed throughout the city. These habitats will provide safe nesting sites and help support healthy biodiversity in our community. City staff will install each habitat in carefully selected locations where they will best support local wildlife.

Materials and tools will be provided.

Water, gloves, tools and staff expertise will be provided.

Lions Club partners with the City of Thornton and local Elementary Schools to bring you the Lions Club Relay Races. This exciting sporting event features runners from first through fifth grade competing in team relays. All event entry fees will benefit the Lions Club eyeglass replacement program.

Various job assignments available such as:

If interested, please respond to this opportunity or contact Hannah Tuomi at 720-977-5853 or email at Hannah.Tuomo@thorntonco.gov

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.

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. 

This opportunity is for volunteers interested in helping with one or more various Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation Programs. This may include assisting with Art Classes, Social Activities, Gymnastics, Dance, Archery, or Sports. AIR Volunteers may also partner with a participant with special needs in various recreation programs to help the program be inclusive of their needs. One hour per week for 5-10 weeks is the general commitment depending on the program. 

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.