Meet our Volunteers

Volunteer Login

Dave Broste, Class of 2007: I enjoy the beauty of the park in all seasons and enjoy the people I meet there. I like leading school group hikes and being a roving ranger. My favorite past time is birding. For 14 years I conducted criminal investigations for the U.S. Department of Labor. I also worked for the Environmental Protection Agency in Superfund enforcement.
 


Doris Cruze, Class of 1982: In the early spring of l982 I answered a small ad in the paper requesting volunteers to help get a new state park open. I was teaching school and it sounded like an interesting way to spend the summer. Little did I know it would be a life changing experience continuing on these 30 years later.
 
Volunteering at Roxborough has introduced me to some wonderful people, to adventures in the out-of-doors, to great opportunities for life-long learning, and it has enriched my life in countless other ways. It would be hard to imagine not volunteering at this magical park.
 
I most enjoy leading hikes and teaching about birding. It is always a thrill for me when a visitor or a new volunteer "discovers" a bird they have never seen before. And sometimes at Roxborough, I find a new bird for my life list. 
 
Besides spending time at Roxborough, I enjoy travel, writing, rug braiding, reading, playing bridge, and gardening. I volunteer at South Platte Park in Littleton, at Audubon Society of Greater Denver, Denver Field Ornithologists, and at my church.
 
Something surprising about me? I love spending time in France and Switzerland every year visiting family members.
 
Rosie Detwiler, Class of 2001: I was raised in Phoenix, Arizona. I met her future husband, Jerry, in1953 at the University of Southern California. We raised our family in Torrance, California, and have been married for 55 years! I taught art in high school, but resigned to start a family. After having two boys and a girl, I went with my husband to live in Germany and France while he taught graduate classes for the military. We came home with a “souvenir” 4th child, (a boy) who was born a short time after returning home.

I began teaching at a church preschool. In 1986, Jerry became an Associate Dean at the University of Denver. We settled into a patio home in what has become Centennial. I resumed preschool teaching until I retired in 2000. Every year I brought my students to Roxborough to hike, for I love nature. After retiring, I joined the 2001 class for volunteer naturalists and have been active ever since, mostly hiking or telling stories to young children. Most of my children and 13 grandchildren, have hiked at Roxborough with me. My husband and I enjoy traveling and have explored all over the world!

Roger Dowell, Class of 2003: I came to a meeting for potential new volunteers in January 2003. When I drove into the park and saw the magnificent beauty of Roxborough State Park, I knew I wanted to be a volunteer at the park. 
  
The staff and volunteers are wonderful to work with and they are always willing to assist anyone to further enjoy the park. It is especially enjoyable to watch people experience the beauty of Roxborough State Park for the first time. My favorite activities at the park include school programs, Rox-Ride and Rox-Revealed programs. I especially enjoy talking about the geology that can be seen at the park.
 
My favorite past time when I am not at the park is spending time with my wife, our daughters and granddaughters. In 1964 my wife and I moved to Midland, Texas where I started a 35-year career with Texaco Inc. as a petroleum geologist. I retired from Texaco Inc. in 1999 and can’t think of a better volunteer opportunity than volunteering at Roxborough State Park.

Bill Edwards, Class of 2005: Having enjoyed hiking in Roxborough since the late 1980’s, I decided to find a way to serve this special place while learning more about it. I enjoy introducing people to the Park’s wonders, especially first time visitors. I love the informality of roving the trails and meeting visitors along the way. When not hiking, snowshoeing, or backcountry skiing, I’m kept busy by my psychology practice, reading, travel and family--especially my two grandchildren in Highlands Ranch.

Jo Haugland, Class of 2011: The first time I went through the Volunteer Naturalist training at Roxbroough State Park was ten years ago. Then, work got in the way and I was became inactive.  Now that I'm retired, I'm back! It's so beautiful in the Park, it keeps me grounded and in touch with nature. I enjoy leading hikes and working with the little kids. I have a lot of favorite past times now that I'm retired: beekeeping, bike riding, hiking, and visiting friends. Something surprising about me…I'm a Colorado Native and my family has been in Colorado for 3 generations!

Jill Holden, Class of 2009: I discovered Roxborough State Park after moving to Colorado in 2000. To me Roxborough is such an unspoiled gem it is just a pleasure to be a part of it. I enjoyed the resource monitoring programs the most. In doing bluebird and firefly monitoring I am able to get out and enjoy the birds along with the wildflowers, mammals, butterflies and the many other things that you notice during monitoring. Monitoring helps in the understanding and protection of nature. My favorite time at Roxborough was the excitement of seeing the white fuzzy back of a baby eagle poking up above the top of a nest a few years back when it was thought that maybe the eagles would not end up successfully nesting there that year. Surprisingly, I love birds and also love cats.

Derald Hoffman, Class of 2009: What I like most about Roxborough is its pristine beauty, the people who come here to enjoy and learn about it and the animal inhabitants. My two favorite activities are the Rox Ride and photo hikes. Lockheed Martin donated an eight passenger golf cart which we use to take visitors to the Persee house. It’s a great delight to tell the stories and interpret Roxborough Park particularly to visitors who have never been here. The past two years I have been teaching a course ‘Shoot Like Ansel Adams’. We do a photo-hike trying to use some of the techniques that we think he would use today using digital cameras.
 
Biking, hiking, photography and writing are my favorite hobbies. Fourteen miles of the Ridgeline Trail is just across the street from our home. There is wildlife there and I enjoy riding my mountain bike over the trails. Quite often I go out and photograph the seasons and other interesting landscapes. In 2004 I helped write a book on Douglas County and it was published in 2005. I'm also a volunteer at Castlewood Canyon State Park. 

Ron Hofffman, Class of 2009: When I retired in 2009 I decided to become a volunteer naturalist at Roxborough State Park, regarding it as the perfect job in the perfect place. I graduated from Colorado State University in 1972 with a degree in Biological Science and a teaching certificate. I continued on to grad school at CSU in Environmental Education and Outdoor Recreation, while volunteering at the Northern Colorado Nature Center. As a wilderness guide and partner in Rocky Mountain Outfitter in Granby, a Backpacking/Cross-Country Ski business, I led Nordic ski tours at Snow Mountain Ranch in the 1970s and marked the original ski trails there. I also presented nature and wildflower programs at local guest ranches to entice tourists into the backcountry. After earning a degree in graphic arts / printing technology, I went to work for Xerox Corporation. In 1994, following many years in the business world, I decided to finally use my teaching certificate. For my third career and for the next 20 years, I taught earth science, physical science, life science, computer applications and music appreciation at the middle school or high school level in Jefferson County Schools.

Karen Hurley, Class of 1997: I really enjoyed the volunteer classes I tool for my training in 1997. Our volunteer coordinator was Mary Bonnell, and she got us very excited about leading hikes for school children. I was fortunate to have Sue Wareck, one of our most experienced volunteers, take me under her wing during my training; I continue to enjoy taking school children on hikes around Roxborough. The young children are the most enjoyable. They seem to get excited about the simplest things in nature and they always make me laugh.

The last couple years I have helped with the moonlight hikes and really like seeing the park at night. Moonlight hikes give visitors a chance to see more wildlife. We have had some very interesting bear encounters on our evening hikes.
 
One of my favorite past times is hiking in our Colorado mountains. I also lead hikes for the Colorado Mountain Club and enjoy exploring all the beautiful places our state has to offer. I have been fortunate enough to have climbed almost 40 of the 54 fourteeners. I have also been successful in climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa and some high peaks in the Andes in Peru. I hope to continue to travel to other high points around the world.
 Many people might be surprised to learn that I am a pretty good golfer. I play in 2 leagues in the summer and enjoy playing different courses around the country and in Colorado. Playing a sport that takes you outdoors to beautiful places ties in nicely with my other interests in nature.

Jim Ives, Class of 2007: I began volunteering following a diverse career spanning more than 37 years in environmental management. There are a couple of reasons why I enjoy volunteering at Roxborough. One is the fulfillment of a childhood dream of being a park ranger. The other is being able to introduce children to the joys and excitement of the natural environment. I enjoy leading school and scout hikes as well as roving the trails and meeting park visitors. I love spending time with my 10 grandchildren, fly fishing, and turning wood bowls on a lathe. My wife, Marta, and I live in Centennial. I spent 10 years in Alaska, where I was able to observe and enjoy the exciting wildlife of the “Last Frontier”.

Bev Lascody, Class of 2007: I value Roxborough State Park so much that I want to do whatever I can to ensure its continued existence. I especially enjoy helping with the moonlight hikes, trail roving and special events. My favorite pastimes include snow skiing and hiking. Also, I have a elderly friend who I am a patient advocate for.

Sarah McKelvey, Class of 2009: Roxborough is a sacred place, full of vibrant and vital energy, which I love to tap into. Roxborough also draws a truly incredible group of people who have a wealth of offerings; I am grateful to be in their ranks! The park also gives me a concrete outlet where I can give back to the public by sharing my outdoor interests, knowledge, and enthusiasm. I like being able to craft and deliver programs that highlight the parks assets, but I also really enjoy being apart of whatever need the park has. I plan to bring more of my work and knowledge-base in mindfulness and the therapeutic benefits of nature to the park's current offerings. Stay tuned! I have many enjoyments! Currently my heart is most passionate about cycling. I am either on my bike or dreaming of being on my bike most of the time it seems! Although I live in the suburbs, my family is raising chickens in the backyard, which is a delight! 

Dee Ward O'Donnell, Class of 1991: I've been a Volunteer Naturalist at Roxborough State Park for 20 years. I love meeting people and being out in nature. My favorite job is working the entrance gate. When I'm not at the park I enjoy storytelling, traveling, reading, dancing, sewing, and playing cards, especially bridge. Did you know; I'm a scuba diver too.

Ann Sarg, Class of 2007: I like to work with the school tours, Scouts and Jr. Naturalist programs.  A favorite highlight to being a Roxborough volunteer is the continuing education offered by Roxborough volunteers and outside groups.  I love sharing nature with all ages and I especially like to see the wonder expressed when something new and awesome is discovered. My favorite pastimes are hiking, especially in the high country and cross country skiing.  You may be surprised to know that I have reached the summits of nine 14ers and hopes to climb more

Jack Shelton, Class of 1999: I have been a Volunteer Naturalist since February of 1999; 12 rewarding years. I enjoy the interesting people I meet; park visitors, park staff, and fellow volunteers. I take pleasure in working special projects; mainly computer oriented. I was heavily involved in inputting data for the Volunteer's cookbook. Right now I am digitizing the slides of Roxborough's beauty and history for use in our educational programs. I also enjoy roving trails. This involves meeting park visitors and suggesting activities they would be interested in. My favorite pastime is photography. Roxborough Park is a prime site for many photogenic views, both close up and panoramic. I like to write. I am working on an autobiography.

Pat Whittall, Class of 1984: My introduction to Roxborough State Park began in 1984 with the volunteer classes at the State Park office on Santa Fe Drive. The first time I ever set foot in the park was climbing over a fence near the Persse Place with class members because the snow made the road inaccessible. I was astounded by the beauty of that day. I couldn’t wait to show the park to my husband and two sons. One of my sons, along with his Boy Scout troop, built part of the trail up Carpenter Peak; he earned his Eagle Scout rank.

After all these years I still love to talk with first time visitors to Roxborough that I meet on the trails. So many people tell me they have lived in the metro area for years and never knew such a place existed. During the past few years I’ve enjoyed interviewing volunteers, learning about their lives and how they discovered this special place. I love traveling with my husband (especially overseas), visiting family in Georgia and Washington, camping in the mountains and enjoying our beautiful state.