National parks are among America’s greatest treasures. But these wild and scenic places are facing a challenge that could threaten how visitors experience them: fewer staff and more visitors.

Earlier this year, the federal government announced staffing cuts and hiring freezes across the National Park Service (NPS). Roughly 13% of employees on the Western Slope were laid off, affecting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Montrose, Curecanti National Recreation Area in Gunnison and Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction.

At the same time, visitation is climbing. 

“We are trending to higher visitation,” said Lori Rome, chief of interpretation for Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Curecanti. “One of our rangers recorded a 20% increase in guests from May 2024 to May 2025.”

In 2024, Black Canyon drew 335,862 visitors, while nearly a million explored Curecanti’s lakes and campgrounds. Colorado National Monument saw gentle growth, recording 488,038 recreational visits—about 2,000 more than the year before.

Each visitor meant more pressure on already stretched resources—and more demand for volunteers.

VOLUNTEERS STEP IN

Volunteers have become indispensable across the Western Slope’s parks and monuments. At Colorado National Monument, about 60 volunteers give their time each year. Among them is Terri Ahern, 68, who has spent nearly 20 years serving the monument she and her husband fell in love with decades ago.

“The stunning geology is what brought us here,” she said. “As my nursing career wound down, the first place I wanted to volunteer was the monument.”

Her volunteer roles have included trail ambassador, visitor center guide, walk-and-talk coordinator and historian, among many others. 

As a trail ambassador, Ahern sees herself as “an extra set of eyes and ears” for rangers, reporting graffiti, reminding visitors about wildlife rules and helping them enjoy the park safely. 

“We make sure that somebody is not doing a seven-mile hike in flipflops with no water,” she said. “When we’re interacting with visitors, we’re paying attention.”

Volunteers like Terri Ahern don’t replace paid staff like NPS employee Kristie Barney, 56, left. Instead, they step in so rangers and employees can focus on the work that needs them most.

Ahern participates in annual desert bighorn sheep counts and helps with raptor monitoring projects. She also helps with special events such as National Public Lands Day

“If you want to volunteer at some of those special gigs, you want to sign up right away,” she said.

Of all her volunteer experiences, one of Ahern’s favorites comes each September at the monument’s naturalization ceremony. “For these folks that become citizens—it’s been a lifelong dream,” she said, tearing up. “They’ve overcome so many challenges. It’s amazing.”

Volunteers are just as critical at Black Canyon and Curecanti, with only 80 staff members between the two parks. Rome said 14 volunteers assist operations at Black Canyon and seven at Curecanti, in addition to groups that pitch in for special projects or clean-ups.

The parks’ biggest Volunteer-In-Park (VIP) program is campground hosting, where volunteers live onsite in their RVs or campers, answer questions, keep sites in order and sometimes prevent dangerous situations. One host recently discovered an unattended campfire during fire restrictions—an act that may have averted disaster.

But much of the day-to-day work of welcoming and educating visitors falls to longtime volunteers like John Apel and Jerry Minerich.

Apel, 70, spent 38 years as a Park Service employee before retiring to Montrose in 2016. By 2017, he was back in uniform—this time as a volunteer.

“I thought I had some skills that would be helpful to park visitors and would free up staff to do other things,” said Apel. 

At first, he worked at the Black Canyon’s South Rim visitor center desk, but now spends more time on trails and overlooks, helping visitors and answering questions. He helps issue wilderness permits in winter and advises visitors about trail conditions.

“What’s easy for one person can be very difficult for someone else,” he explained. “You try to be very clear about how you describe things (steepness, rocks and conditions) so people know what to expect.”

Apel volunteers at Black Canyon two days a week, year-round, and said he enjoys the routine.

“Not that I want to go back to doing that full time, but I have something to say when people ask me what I’m doing in retirement,” he said.

Fellow volunteer Jerry Minerich never worked for the Park Service, though he once dreamed of it. 

“I always wanted to be a ranger,” said Minerich, 79. “[Volunteering at Black Canyon] is as close as I can get.” 

A former restaurant worker and tour guide, Minerich started volunteering at Black Canyon three and a half years ago. During busy summer months, he sets up what he calls his “office” at the first overlook on the South Rim, greeting hundreds of visitors with maps, advice and stories. 

“I’ve talked to people from over 30 different countries,” he said. 

Over the years, he has become well-versed in the park’s geology, wildlife and hidden gems. He tells visitors about the Dragon’s Tongue, a slab of rock that glows orange when the sun hits it just right. His photo of the rock once received thousands of likes on the park’s Facebook page.

A LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE

Together, Apel and Minerich logged 984 volunteer hours last year. Their efforts, Rome said, are crucial in maintaining the quality of the park experience.

She added that while VIPs are not supposed to replace paid staffing, their contributions are vital. Beyond campground hosting, volunteers are needed to assist with maintenance, ski patrol, administrative tasks and astronomy programs. 

“We welcome anyone who might have a specialized skill that they’d like to share,” she said. 

For Ahern, the motivation to keep volunteering at Colorado National Monument is simple: “I never get tired of the monument,” she said. “The geology, the wildlife—it’s such an incredible place. We should all be very thankful that it’s right here in Grand Junction and accessible to us.”

She also values the flexibility.

“We have no set hours, no set minimum requirements,” said Ahern. 

Minerich summed it up simply: “It just makes me feel like I’m contributing. I’ve been learning a lot, too.”

HOW TO VOLUNTEER 

Volunteering with the NPS offers a front-row seat to America’s natural wonders. 

For opportunities at Colorado National Monument, visit their website or call 970-858-2800.

For opportunities at Black Canyon of the Gunnison, visit their website or call 970-641-2337.

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