Rocky Mountain Historic Homestead Interpretation and Visitor Information

Historic Homestead/Guest Ranch Interpretation and Visitor Information 

Location:

At Rocky Mountain National Park, 14,000 foot glacially-sculpted peaks rise above verdant valleys, twisting rivers, and glistening lakes. You would work on the west side of the park at the Holzwarth Historic Site in the lush Kawuneeche Valley, birthplace of the Colorado River. Located on the banks of the Colorado, the ranch was originally homesteaded by German immigrants in 1917. They soon expanded ranch operations to include providing services to paying customers at the “Holzwarth Trout Lodge.” Today, most of the structures of this 1920’s-era dude ranch are preserved, many with original furnishings.

Rocky Mountain NP and its surroundings offer outstanding opportunities for a variety of outdoor recreation activities including hiking, camping, backpacking, wildlife viewing, and fishing. Average summer nighttime temperatures are in the 30s and 40s, daytime highs average 70s with frequent afternoon thunderstorms and rain. Some summers can be consistently cool and damp. Snow can occur during any month of the year.

For more park information visit www.nps.gov/romo.

Duties:

Step into the Old West and help visitors glimpse a world where homesteaders relied on ingenuity, perseverance, and hospitality to realize their American Dream of making a home in the challenging, but spectacular, Rocky Mountain environment. Volunteer shifts involve rotating through several stations around the site where there are opportunities to talk about the history of the area, assist with park orientation and trip planning, and talk with visitors about wildlife and other park resources. Site training is provided, so there is no need to be a history expert. We'll teach you everything you need to know. 

There are also opportunities to work with kids and families or to lead visitors in an activity appropriate to a 1920s Dude Ranch, such as quilting, fishing, playing an instrument, etc.

Volunteers must be available to commit to work a regular weekly shift from June 7 through September 7, 2020. Weekly shifts are either 10:00am-1:30pm, 1:30pm-5:00pm, or 10:00am-5:00pm.

Volunteers must be able to commit to a weekly shift. Substitutes are available to cover shifts when needed.

Volunteers are required to wear a volunteer uniform according to park and National Park Service standards. A mandatory training day is provided on Wednesday, June 3 for all park volunteers. 

Required Skills and Abilities:

The ability to work well with people, including park visitors, staff, and a cadre of volunteers is crucial. Rocky Mountain National Park has a large volunteer staff and you will be working very closely with many fellow VIPs. We are looking for positive, upbeat team members who enjoy working with others in a collaborative environment.

Other required skills are reliability, flexibility, and comfort and ability talking with visitors in an informal setting.

Physically, you must have the ability to work and live at high elevation (9000’ and higher). Most of the workday is spent on your feet outdoors and this can be fatiguing. We encourage you to consult with your physician about working at high altitude before you commit to a position.

For in-depth information, contact Barbara Scott at 970-586-1518 or [email protected]

Thank you for your interest!