Buckhorn Work Center, CO 2024
Behind one of Colorado’s popular watering holes lies the Buckhorn Work Center, a 1930s forestry compound still serving the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.
PROJECT PARTNER: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests & Pawnee National Grassland
SESSION DATES: June 23-28 and June 30 – July 5
PROJECT SUPERVISOR: Daniel Ensalaco!
CREW LEADER: TBD!
Project Site Description & History
The Buckhorn Work Center is a pivotal property of the Buckhorn Ranger District located in the Roosevelt National Forest west of Fort Collins. Built between 1933-1941 for the Forest Service by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and later added to by locally revered carpenter Guy Fowler, the property consists of a primary Ranger Dwelling, Assistant Ranger Dwelling, office, and garage. The functions of these individual buildings have changed roles over the decades, serving the ranger district across the many stylistic and policy changes that have occurred throughout the past century.
In 2022 the Buckhorn Work Center was listed on the National Register for Historic Places partly for its role in being the first Ranger Station in the Colorado National Forest, now the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests. If you’re interested in a truly unique CCC era set of buildings that happen to be located in a tranquil mountain setting, this may be the project for you!
Last season HistoriCorps began working on the Ranger Dwelling with a massive effort restoring the cedar shake roof. This season we’re back to work on the Assistant Ranger Dwelling. For those seeking quality time in the rockies with a 5 star crew, we highly encourage you to sign up and join us at the Buckhorn Work Center. Please visit History Colorado’s site for further context on the rich history of the Buckhorn Work Center and we’ll see you in Colorado!
Location and Logistics
SESSION DATES: June 23-28 and June 30 – July 5th
Please plan to arrive at the campsite no earlier than 5pm and no later than 7pm on the first day of your session.
LOCATION: Located approximately 45 minutes west of Fort Collins in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
ACCESS: 
Tents, truck campers, campervans, trailers, and RVs 25′ feet and under are welcome. Hookups are not available, but dogs are welcome!
WEATHER: Anticipate highs potentially in the 80s and lows in the 50s. Weather conditions may be rainy, cloudy, or sunny. Volunteers are responsible for checking weather conditions before their session begins, and packing appropriately.
ABOUT VOLUNTEERING: HistoriCorps projects are free for volunteers! HistoriCorps will provide all meals, tools, training, equipment, and a campsite. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to the campsite, sleeping equipment, work gloves, clothes and boots, and other personal gear.
Scope of Work
SCOPE OF WORK DIFFICULTY: 
HistoriCorps is committed to educating and training volunteers in preservation skills, with an overarching mission of inspiring a preservation ethic in all those involved. Learning and working alongside expert HistoriCorps field staff, volunteers and applying the traditional skills necessary to restore the Assistant Ranger Dwelling at the Buckhorn Work Center:
- Repair and replace exterior wood elements (trims, siding, rafter tails, etc.)
- Repair rear shed addition roof
- Rehabilitate windows
- Scrape, prime, and paint exterior
Please note: Tasks vary by day and by week, depending on a variety of factors including: weather, project priorities, previous groups’ work, and more. Though it is likely you will get to learn and practice most or all of the above tasks, it is not guaranteed. The higher percentage of the scope a particular task is, the more likely you will get to practice it.
Sign Up!
We’re thrilled this project has inspired you to volunteer!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Visit our Job Calendar to see spaces are available!
*All registrations submitted to projects at capacity will be automatically added to our waitlist.*
CANCELLATIONS effect our ability to complete projects. Please register only if you are certain about your ability to participate.
You will know your registration was successful when you receive a confirmation email. Contact volunteer@historicorps.org for assistance.
HistoriCorps does not charge for its volunteering projects. HistoriCorps relies on donations to continue engaging volunteers to save significant historical sites across America for generations to come. Your donation of any amount will make an incredible difference! Increase your impact – make a generous gift today.
Volunteer Logistics, Policies, and Advice
We’re so glad you’re interested in joining this project! If you’re new to our community, review the Volunteer FAQ first! Please note the following logistics and policies:
- Volunteering with HistoriCorps is free! We will provide all meals, tools, training, equipment, and a campsite or shared indoor lodging. Dinner is not provided on the first night.
- Volunteers are responsible for bringing their own gear, work gloves, sturdy work clothes and boots, and appropriate sleeping equipment. Check the average temperatures before you start packing – the nights and mornings may be colder than you anticipate! Then, read this advice about how to stay warm when tent camping in colder places.
- Campsite accessibility varies by project. Some projects can accommodate tents only; others can accommodate small RVs. Please review the project site description above for more information, and if you’re still not sure, email volunteer@historicorps.org for help.
- If this project does not offer showers, you might want to consider bringing a solar shower or research other methods to clean up after the work day.
- Volunteer crew sizes generally range from 4-8 volunteers, with two HistoriCorps staff that lead and train volunteers in the work.
- Safety is one of HistoriCorps’ top priorities, and volunteers can contribute to a safe working environment by ensuring their physical fitness is adequate for the work. See above for this project’s scope of work and difficulty level. Please, call us if you are not quite sure if a project is a good fit for your skills or fitness level. We may be able to suggest a project more suitable and enjoyable for you.
- Hard hats, eye protection, ear protection, gloves are standard personal protection equipment (PPE) required on all projects. Hard hats must be worn at all times on the project site, unless working in a designated safe space. Field staff will train volunteers on correct use of PPE.
- Dogs are generally allowed to accompany their humans in project campsites (actually, we love having dogs join us around the campfire!). Dogs are not permitted on the job site for everyone's safety. HOWEVER: HistoriCorps also follows the rules and regulations of our project partner. If the project partner does not permit dogs onsite then HistoriCorps is no exception. Please ask HistoriCorps or the project partner directly if you have any questions about whether Fido is welcome.