The event brought together 11 teams of talented students from across Colorado, with most of them coming from the Front Range, though there were a few teams from the Alamosa area as well. It was so exciting to see these students bring their passion for the environment to the competition.

I arrived bright and early Monday morning after making my way to Denver the day before. My first task was setting up the NCF-Envirothon table in the main foyer area, where I’d spend the day interacting with students, volunteers, and guests. It was amazing to be surrounded by so much enthusiasm for natural resources and environmental conservation.

Throughout the day, I had the chance to lend a hand with several volunteer tasks, which kept me busy and engaged with the event. One of the highlights was watching six of the team's presentations. The depth of knowledge these students demonstrated, combined with their excellent speaking skills, was truly impressive! 

In the final hour of the day, the career fair kicked off. The students participated in a scavenger hunt-style activity where they had to visit the 15 different tables, learning more about careers in the environmental field. This was a fantastic idea that allowed me to have one-on-one conversations with many of the students. They were eager to engage and it was great to connect with them on a personal level. The day wrapped up with a lovely dinner, and I headed back to my hotel feeling satisfied with all the meaningful interactions and experiences.

Tuesday brought even more excitement as the stations and tests were set up in creative and engaging ways. The students appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly as they worked through the challenges. Congratulations to Woodlake Park for their overall win and we look forward to welcoming you in Alberta, Calgary at the 2025 Annual NCF-Envirothon competition in July!

I had the chance to spend time with members of the executive committee, station leads, and volunteers who made this event possible. It was inspiring to hear about their vision for the future, and I’m excited about their plans to expand the event to 25 teams in the coming years. I'm incredibly grateful to have been part of such an impactful event, and I can't wait to see how the Colorado Envirothon continues to grow and inspire future generations of environmental leaders.

It was clear that the organizers had put a lot of thought into making this an educational yet fun experience. Overall, attending the Colorado Envirothon was an unforgettable experience. 

Aubrey Balcom

March 8, 2025