Buckhorn Work Center Restoration – Seeking Volunteers

Behind one of Colorado’s popular watering holes lies the Buckhorn Work Center, a 1930s forestry compound still serving the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.

SESSION DATES: June 23-28 and June 30 – July 5

LOCATION: Located approximately 45 minutes west of Fort Collins in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Project Site Description & History:

The Buckhorn Work Center is a pivotal property of the Buckhorn Ranger District located in the Roosevelt National Forest west of Fort Collins. Built between 1933-1941 for the Forest Service by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and later added to by locally revered carpenter Guy Fowler, the property consists of a primary Ranger Dwelling, Assistant Ranger Dwelling, office, and garage. The functions of these individual buildings have changed roles over the decades, serving the ranger district across the many stylistic and policy changes that have occurred throughout the past century.

In 2022 the Buckhorn Work Center was listed on the National Register for Historic Places partly for its role in being the first Ranger Station in the Colorado National Forest, now the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests. If you’re interested in a truly unique CCC era set of buildings that happen to be located in a tranquil mountain setting, this may be the project for you!

Last season HistoriCorps began working on the Ranger Dwelling with a massive effort restoring the cedar shake roof. This season we’re back to work on the Assistant Ranger Dwelling. For those seeking quality time in the rockies with a 5 star crew, we highly encourage you to sign up and join us at the Buckhorn Work Center. Please visit History Colorado’s site for further context on the rich history of the Buckhorn Work Center and we’ll see you in Colorado!

Scope of Work:

HistoriCorps is committed to educating and training volunteers in preservation skills, with an overarching mission of inspiring a preservation ethic in all those involved. Learning and working alongside expert HistoriCorps field staff, volunteers and applying the traditional skills necessary to restore the Assistant Ranger Dwelling at the Buckhorn Work Center:

• Repair and replace exterior wood elements (trims, siding, rafter tails, etc.)
• Repair rear shed addition roof
• Rehabilitate windows
• Scrape, prime, and paint exterior

Click here for more information and registration!