Independent Cleanups
An easy way to care for the Canal on your own schedule
The Conservancy’s Independent Cleanup program is a unique opportunity to join the Canal Conservation Corps and steward the Canal in your preferred location and on your own schedule. Become an active participant in enhancing the ecological health of the 71-mile High Line Canal and make a lasting and positive impact on this historic corridor!
Our goal: 100 miles cleaned in 2026 for a cleaner, healthier and more enjoyable Canal!
- Review the Independent Cleanup Toolkit (Kit de Limpieza Independiente Español) and FAQs and see if this volunteer opportunity is right for you!
- Select a location
- Identify areas of the Canal that could be cleaned that are safe and accessible. If you are flexible on your cleanup location, please contact the Conservancy at volunteer@highlinecanal.org for suggested locations of the Canal that need stewardship.
- Register for the program (You only need to register once per calendar year)
- By registering, the Conservancy can gauge to track the number of volunteers participating for the program. Please note that you only need to register for the program once and do not need to register for each independent cleanup. You can register individually or as a group.
- Sign and submit your Volunteer Waiver (Renuncia Voluntaria en Español) to the Conservancy (you only need to sign the Volunteer Waiver once per calendar year).
- All participants must sign and submit a Volunteer Waiver to the Conservancy upon registration. Waivers can be submitted electronically through the link above or via mail at 4010 E. Orchard Road, Centennial, CO 80121. Individuals under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian signature. Volunteer Waivers must be completed in its entirety. If you register as a group, the individual who registered the group is responsible for ensuring that everyone in the group submits a waiver.
- Gather your cleanup supplies
- The Conservancy can provide bags, gloves, and trash grabbers to participants if wanted. Schedule to pick up cleanup supplies at the Conservancy’s office before your cleanup by emailing volunteer@highlinecanal.org. Appointments to pick up supplies need to be made at least one week in advance.
- Do a cleanup on the Canal (Bonus: Take a photo of your cleanup and tag us on social media #CanalSteward).
- On the day of your cleanup, please ensure that you and any other participants joining have reviewed the safety information and instructions. Always be mindful of your surroundings and other Canal users throughout your cleanup. Ensure all trash is bagged, secured, and properly disposed of. Large Independent Cleanups can coordinate with us to request support for trash bag removal after the cleanup. Trash can be disposed of at any on-site trash can found along the Canal or placed in an on-site park dumpster. Participants are responsible for properly disposing of the trash collected during their independent cleanup. Trash bags are not to be left on the trail. Weigh your trash bags with the provided scale and make note of your cleanup accomplishments including the amount of trash collected, distance cleaned, and number of volunteers.
- Submit your cleanup totals
- After your cleanup, please submit your Canal Cleanup Card online. Your Canal Cleanup Card helps the Conservancy track the stewardship and accomplishments of the program! Additionally, if you want to be recognized as a Canal Steward, you must submit your Canal Cleanup Card. If you borrowed supplies, please return them within two weeks of checkout (extensions are possible on a case-by-case basis).
Resources
Safety Procedures
- Prior to your cleanup event, make sure you and any other participants have submitted the waiver of liability. Waivers must be submitted to the Conservancy prior to your scheduled cleanup.
- Wear appropriate clothing for your cleanup such as sturdy and closed-toed shoes, long pants and a hat.
- Bring any additional essentials you may need such as sunscreen, personal medication, water and snacks.
- Do not pick up any needles, syringes or other hazardous items. If you come across any hazardous materials, please take a picture, note down your location on the Canal and email the Conservancy.
- Do not touch dead or injured animals.
- Do not disturb or remove items from homeless encampments, regardless of their level of activity. Please notify the Conservancy of where these camps are located.
- Participants are highly encouraged to always have a cell phone on hand in case of emergencies
- Please report any injuries to the Conservancy.
Independent Cleanups Supported By:
SPLASH is a stormwater collaborative group of local governments and Arapahoe County. Thank you, SPLASH!
FAQs
Thank you to our 2025 Canal Stewards
- Achieve Leads
- American Public Works Association
- Anschutz
- Aprio
- Boys Team Charity
- Charter/Spectrum
- Comcast
- Community College of Aurora
- Craig Hospital
- Cub Scout Pack 351 & 345
- Denver Public Schools SPARK program
- Denver SE Rotary Club
- Girl Scout Troop 66360
- Kent Denver School
- Kimley-Horn
- Littleton Leadership Academy
- Materials+
- National Charity League
- National Conference of State Legislatures
- Project Our Town
- Ranch View Middle School
- Regis Jesuit High School
- Rocket Software
- Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association
- Timebank Boulder
- University Hills Neighborhood Association
Want your name or your group’s name to appear here next year? To be recognized as a Canal Steward, please be sure to meet the following requirements:
- Register for the Independent Cleanup program
- Indicate on your registration that you would like to be recognized as a Canal Steward
- Submit a Canal Cleanup Card after your cleanup
