Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance
Preserving and Protecting the Indian Peaks and James Peak Wilderness Areas
IPWA Calendar of Events
Please contact us to be added to the mailing list to receive email newsletters and announcements! Check back here for dates for other events as posted!
Mid-November 2025 - early June 2026
Winter Patrol Season
The IPWA Winter Patrol Program starts in mid-November and ends in early June. This is an exciting opportunity for our Summer Wilderness Volunteers who want to enjoy the wilderness and patrol in the late fall, winter, and spring months. For more information visit the Winter Patrol Program page. To see current trail conditions, please visit the Public Trail Conditions page!
March 31st, 2026
Research Grant Applications Due
Funding opportunity for students: IPWA is accepting applications for the 2026 Paddon/Gellhorn Wilderness Research Grants—four $2,000 awards supporting undergraduate and graduate research in Colorado’s alpine, subalpine, and montane systems (field, lab, analytical, or GIS-based work).
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Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2026, and award announcements will be made by mid-April. Visit the Research Grants page for details and application instructions.
Saturday April 4th, 2026 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Research Grant Applications Due
Registration is OPEN for the 2026 Ecosystem Symposium, sponsored by the Boulder County Nature Association (BCNA). The symposium will take place in Boulder, Colorado on Saturday, April 4, 9 am - 3 pm (doors open at 8:30 am). This year's theme is "Public Lands in Public Hands for the Public Good: Engaging law, policy, and advocacy to protect our shared natural heritage."
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Please visit the symposium website to see the schedule and list of speakers, and sign up to attend. A taco bar lunch is included in the registration fee.
Thursday, May 28th 2026 - 3:30pm - 5:00pm
IPWA Reading Group Meetup: The Wild Dark by Craig Childs
You're invited to participate in the IPWA Reading Group and join us for a meet-up in Boulder, Colorado! This month's selection is The Wild Dark by Craig Childs. This group is open to all (IPWA and the public). See our blog posts about previous reading selections. The upcoming meet-up will be on Thursday May 28th, 2026, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - RSVP here
Saturday, June 6th, 2026
In-Person Volunteer Training Day
Returning volunteers and new volunteers who have been accepted into the program through the application and interview process, pencil in the first Saturday in June for the in-person training day (mandatory for new volunteers). To learn more, visit our Volunteer Opportunities page.
Sunday, June 7th, 2026
Summer Patrol Season Starts
IPWA Wilderness Volunteers are eligible to go on summer patrols as long as they have completed all annual paperwork and training requirements. Training will be held on Saturday, June 7th. The IPWA Summer Patrol season typically starts the first Sunday in June, and ends September 30th. To see current trail conditions, please visit the Public Trail Conditions page!
Thursday, July 23rd 2026 - 3:30pm - 5:00pm
IPWA Reading Group Meetup: Night Magic by Leigh Ann Henion
You're invited to participate in the IPWA Reading Group and join us for a meet-up in Boulder, Colorado! This month's selection is Night Magic by Leigh Ann Henion. This group is open to all (IPWA and the public). See our blog posts about previous reading selections. The upcoming meet-up will be on Thursday July 23rd, 2026, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - RSVP here
September 1st- 30th 2026
IPWA Annual Wilderness Photo Contest
The IPWA holds an Annual Photo Contest to showcase the beauty of the Indian Peaks and James Peak Wilderness Areas. This contest is open to IPWA supporters and volunteers. Each individual may submit a maximum of 2 scenic photos (no people or dogs may be in the photos). The contest opens September 1st and closes September 30th, 2026. Visit the Photo Contest page for more information.
Thursday, September 24th 2026 - 3:30pm - 5:00pm
IPWA Reading Group Meetup: TBD
You're invited to participate in the IPWA Reading Group and join us for a meet-up in Boulder, Colorado! This month's selection is to be determined (TBD). This group is open to all (IPWA and the public). See our blog posts about previous reading selections. The upcoming meet-up will be on Thursday September 24th, 2026, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
September 30th, 2026
Summer Patrol Season Ends
The IPWA Summer Patrol season typically starts the first Sunday in June, and ends September 30th. To see current trail conditions, please visit the Public Trail Conditions page!
March 1st, 2027 - March 15th, 2027
New Volunteer Application Window
We offer two types of volunteer opportunities:
1. IPWA Wilderness Volunteers commit to completing annual training, are outfitted with a uniform, and commit to completing a minimum of “four service activities” per calendar year.
2. If you do not have time to volunteer for a full season/year, you may join us for one or more volunteer trail projects this summer!​​​
To learn more, visit our Wilderness Volunteer Program page. To learn more about other ways to help, visit the Volunteer Opportunities page.
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