New for 2021, the GOCO Fellowship Program supports positions at partner Colorado organizations for young people from diverse backgrounds to prepare for careers in the outdoors. In these positions, they will gain meaningful experience in the fields of conservation, outdoor recreation, and stewardship while growing a professional skill set to apply to future endeavors.

Through the Fellowship program, GOCO funds two-year positions at select partner organizations, aligning fellowship roles with specific organizational needs, while offering a broad spectrum of job training and leadership development opportunities for all participants.

Given the unique mission and priorities of each partner organization, no two fellowship experiences will be the same. That said, fellows can expect to gain tangible experience from passionate, dedicated professionals at well-established entities. Fellows may spend time outside of their home organizations to work with local communities on outdoor-related projects and serve as representatives to regional collaboratives. To foster a culture of continuous learning, GOCO will cultivate a mentor network to support fellows while they’re engaged in the program and beyond.

GOCO and its partners aim to reduce barriers to careers in the outdoors and positively introduce young people to the compelling and rewarding benefits of this exciting line of work. We hope GOCO fellows carry a passion for Colorado’s great outdoors well into their future roles as community leaders.

Who can apply

This program is by invitation only for the following entities:

• Colorado municipality or county
• Title 32 special district eligible to receive distributions from the Conservation Trust Fund
• Political subdivision of the State of Colorado that includes in its mission the identification, acquisition, or management of open space and natural areas
• 501(c)(3) non-profit land conservation organization that includes in its mission the identification, acquisition, or management of open space and natural areas, e.g., land trusts
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife

When to apply

• Application available by request: August 10, 2022
• Applications due: October 6, 2022
• Grants awarded: December 9, 2022

Apply to this program

This program is by invitation only. If you’d like to discuss your organization’s eligibility and needs, please contact Chris Yuan-Farrell at cyuanfarrell@goco.org or 303.226.4511.