Our Mission
Friends of Colorado State Parks is a statewide organization that supports Friends groups at individual State Parks by building a network between members, providing resources, encouraging collaboration, and offering technical assistance.
What we do and how you can help
We Provide Support for Local Groups
Local Friends’ groups have sprung up at State Parks as independent nonprofits or as affiliates of our statewide organization.
The Friends of Colorado State Parks supports and unites these groups in our collective mission to protect and enhance Colorado's most important resources.
These dedicated groups promote user engagement at local State Parks, attracting all types of volunteers and donors who work in partnership with each Parks' staff. The success of current groups, and the unmet potential of supporters is substantial.
Core Values
Advocacy and Enthusiasm of Colorado Parks & Wildlife's (CPW) mission and support of its initiatives.
Assist and Support new and existing Parks and Friends groups by providing guidance, educational opportunities, coordination of resources, and advocacy for their programs to achieve shared objectives.
Collaborating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, local Friends groups, and other organizations to maintain and enhance Colorado State Parks for future generations.
Community Engagement by providing a welcoming and encouraging environment for the diversity and inclusiveness of all, along with enabling them with assistance and education for Park stewardship.
Navigating the Site
Take Action!
Now more than ever before our State Parks need the support of Friends. The donation of your time and efforts is essential to ensuring a vital future for our State Parks. Being a Friend is easy, and fun. On this page you will find the ways you can be a State Park Friend.
Our State Parks
This page includes a comprehensive list of the 41 State Parks in Colorado. Here, you can find your local state park, navigate to its website, and see if there is a local Friends group affiliated with it. If there is no Friends group and you would like to start one, navigate to our Resources page.
Resources
One of our major roles is to be a resource to local State Park Friends groups. In doing so, we try to provide a comprehensive page of resources and information, as well as guides to starting or managing a Friends group.
Contact Us
Meet the team! Reach out to us by filling in the box if you are interested in volunteering, being on the board, or have ideas for the group.
Donate
Of course, donations are always a welcome way to support our group. Donations to the Friends of Colorado State Parks aids smaller State Parks, especially those without a local friends group.
2022 Strategic Plan
In 2022, we have two main and dynamic goals:
Community Engagement through Outreach, Advocacy and Education
Organizational Sustainability
If you’re interested in the details of our plan for 2022, please read through our Strategic Plan.
Who are We?
Friends of Colorado State Parks is guided by a volunteer board of directors that are focused on growing our organization and assisting the local Friends groups and their programs.
Members:
Our Support:
Becky Mares, Statewide Volunteer Coordinator
Jennifer Anderson, Education, Partnerships, and Volunteer Manager
The State Park managers who support us so that we can do our work!
Honorary Mention:
This Friends group was founded by past-president, Tom Easley.