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 Driven Wild: How the Fight against Automobiles Launched the Modern Wilderness Movement by Paul Sutter. 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.  - RSVP here

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. 

The IPWA Summer Patrol season typically starts the first Sunday in June, with the last day for patrols on October 31st. To see current trail conditions, please visit the Public Trail Conditions page!

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.  

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!

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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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, 2027, and award announcements will be made by mid-April. Visit the Research Grants page for details and application instructions. 

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. 

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!