VOLUNTEER and INTERNSHIP INFORMATION
COMMITTED VOLUNTEER · You will be required to be on a schedule for no less than 3 months and two days a week. You will have advanced training and will have special allotments for wolf interaction.
NON-COMMITTED VOLUNTEER · You are not expected to be on a committed schedule, however you will be limited on different tasks and perks such as wolf interaction.
TOUR GUIDE INTERN · You will be required to be on a schedule for no less than 3 months and 2
days a week. Receiving college credit can be arranged with your advisor.
Internship Application > | Non-Committed Volunteer Application > | Committed Volunteer Application >
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OUR STAFF and VOLUNTEERS
Hover over or click on a photo to get to know them!

This is an inspiring place where I am honored and blessed to lend my skills. Be it the animals, staff, or our guests - everything and everyone here has a story and a purpose which contributes to making a difference far beyond the geographic boundaries of the Center. What begins here and happens here truly is magic.

I have always had a passion for advocating for wildlife, but wolves - being as misunderstood as they are - have captured a very special place in my heart. I graduated from Penn State with my degree in Animal Science and Wildlife Science in May and began working at the center in October of 2018. CWWC allows me to live my dream of working with wolves while educating and dispelling the myths surrounding these gentle, majestic animals.

Working at CWWC is a dream come true for me because I've been passionate about wolves since childhood. In fact, as a child I got to meet the legendary Chinook at an educational program, which ignited my love for wolves. Educating others about these incredible animals has always been my goal, & now I get to share my love for them with others. One of my favorite aspects of my role is doing off-site education, where I can inspire the younger generation to appreciate & care for wolves just as I do.

My name is Suzanne, and I have the incredible privilege of working at the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center, where I manage our facility inventory. For me, this role is the perfect intersection of practical organization and a deep lifelong passion for wildlife conservation. There is nothing quite like the feeling of hearing a collective howl echo, accompanied by the yips and sounds of playing fox kits to channel my energy and purpose.

I work at CWWC because educating people on the plight of wolves, and the critical balance they provide to nature, is extremely necessary. I truly believe that CWWC has, and will, continue to positively change people's minds about not only wolves, but all wildlife.

I work at CWWC to help spread awareness and scientific facts about these amazing creatures.To show that they are not the monsters myth and legend tells us. They play a key and important role in our ecosystems. They are not meant to be feared, they are meant to be appreciated. These animals are my life and I will not stand for the falsehoods constantly pushed onto them.

My dream for as long as I can remember has been to work with animals, & wolves were always one of my favorites. Growing up, I never could have imagined where that dream would take me. After graduating college & a couple of years of trying to find where my passion for wildlife could take me, I finally found where I belonged. I am truly blessed to now be a part of the pack at CWWC. Every day is an adventure, & I love being able to help care for these magnificent animals & teach others about them.

Earning the trust of the animals is the most rewarding experience. Being a voice for ALL animals, focusing on the Majestic Wolf is my greatest story. Witnessing the growth & development of Darlene’s dream for CWWC is inspiring and an honor to watch.

Getting to connect with animals, and helping others find their connection with the villainized, beautiful creature of the wolf is all I could ask for. I believe CWWC does integral work for the conservation of our wildlife, and being apart of their efforts is rewarding both on a daily basis, and in contributing to greater goals for animal advocacy.

Wolves have always been special to me, ever since seeing the story of Balto as a kid I knew wolves and wolf hybrids were special and misunderstood. Working here gives me the chance to defend them and teach others just how important they really are to the ecosystem and in my life.

I spent 10 years of my career working with Catholic Non-Profits in healthcare before moving onto work in the veterinary field. After 26 years of living in Wisconsin, I left my career in Veterinary Reception and moved to Colorado. I have always had a passion for helping people and animals which led me to join the amazing CWWC team! All my dreams have come true since becoming a part of this mission and continuing to meet all the great people who come to the center to learn about our animals!

Joining the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center feels less like a choice and more like a calling for my animal-loving soul! I’ve always had a massive heart for all living things, and I truly believe that life is better when we’re lending a helping hand (or paw) to the creatures around us. Being here allows me to turn my boundless energy and respect for nature into meaningful action. I’m beyond excited to assist these incredible animals & learn from their wild spirits.

I visited CWWC as a kid and then counted down the years until I could come back and work here. It's a dream come true and brings a true sense of purpose to my life. Educating the public, working with the animals, and seeing real change in the world is more than I could ever ask for. I'm very grateful to Darlene for starting the Center and giving me an opportunity to work with wild animals and be an advocate for them.

With a background in animal care and conservation, I wanted to join Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center to grow my knowledge and explore a new side to wildlife conservation. I’m new to the wolf world, but working with these incredible animals has already expanded my perspective in so many ways. I’m excited to continue learning and help educate others about wolves and their importance in our ecosystems.

Francine and her family have been supporters of the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center and its mission since they first visited over 25 years ago. Shortly after moving to Colorado, Francine signed up as a volunteer to support the incredible animals and people here in any way needed, from mucking to restocking inventory to tours. She feels it’s a joy and an honor to be here!

"Every day is a happy day at the wolf center when you are a part of the pack.It is a privilege to be able to share the lives of these wonderful animals and to be their voice."

My name is Barb Burton. I have been with CWWC for over 28 years. I have worked the front desk but now have the privilege of interacting with the animals for enrichment. After my first visit to CWWC all those years ago, I was hooked on the unique qualities of these animals. My love for them has only grown as I watched, interacted and learned about their amazing traits and personalities. I am proud to be part of this organization!

It is both an honor and a privilege to have been a part of CWWC since June 2002. To be a part of an organization that strives to make a difference for our wolves and wildlife is not only rewarding but inspiring. There are no words to describe the feeling of being in the presence of such majestic animals.

PRESIDENT/CEO · DARLENE
I was born in February 1962 in Torrance, CA. As a young girl my favorite things were animals and the beach. I have always had a pet of some type from hamsters to horses and never felt lonely with them around. I made a promise one day when I was 9 years old to a dog that was being abused by some kids on a playground who I saved, that I would create a rescue someday to be a voice. I followed my promise, but it has been one long and difficult journey, however it has been all worthwhile.
Throughout my life I have tried to be a voice for the ones who are abused, abandoned, hungry or injured through either rescuing them myself, signing and creating petitions to donating money or materials that is needed. Once a year I am happy to have a vacation, however I feel happiest when I can give back to the environment and help animals in need. I usually choose a third world country and bring veterinarian supplies to spay and neuter clinics. I am so lucky to have a wonderful man in my life who is passionate about the same issues and we work together as a team helping when we can. We also set aside a day on vacation to clean the beach of litter to give back to the earth.
This is what I love to do and if the opportunity ever comes where I can have another dream come true, I would create free animal clinics in poor countries and help curb the abuse through education and promote conservation for native wildlife.My life has taken some interesting twists and I have taken the good with the bad to create not only myself but my Center.
I graduated from high school, worked in steel and plastic factories and then went to tech-school as a EMT and combined it with aircraft mechanics and flight lessons. I unfortunately did not make it past that point due to financial reasons at that struggling age, but it was an accomplishment. I have worked as a lab technician, waitress, land surveyor, construction worker and so many in-between. I feel that with all of these jobs combined together, they have given me the basic experience to create what CWWC is today.I am currently writing a book about my life's adventures entitled, "Against All Odds". This book was inspired by having no direction as a kid, but having a dream in my heart. Through hard work and a true passion I have created and am living my dream. I would like others -especially kids who think that if they don't have everything given to them, that they cannot accomplish what they want. I know from experience that it can become a reality if you believe and don’t give up.
Life is truly a gift and I believe that giving back makes you worthy of living.

