Come work with us!
Join us for the summer of a lifetime!
exceptional customer service
Our emphasis at CAC is on providing exceptional customer service and taking good care of our employees while offering an unforgettable experience. We are very lucky to be operating in Colorado and able to feature the many wonders of this very special place we call home.
We have many opportunities for employment. Consider training as a Guest Services Specialist, an Aerial Guide or a Whitewater Raft Guide. We encourage cross training (for those with experience) and pride ourselves on the quality of service we provide for each guest as well as an amazing workplace culture.
Check out our positions below and apply today to join our team of adventurers!
THE DETAILS
Our Mission & Values
OUR MISSION
To spark the adventurer within.
Our team provides accessible, guided, memorable outdoor experiences for thousands of adventure seekers every year.
OUR VALUES
In the pursuit of excellence, we:
- Practice safety
- Hold ourselves accountable
- Care about others
- Love what we do
- Support each other
- Seek growth
Our Staff
WHY WORK WITH US?:
We offer FREE TRAINING for Full-time staff. We make our careers accessible for all and are one of the only outfitters that offer free training. More importantly, our training is in-depth and skill and safety-focused, preparing you for the joys and rigors of guiding on famous Clear Creek.
We offer Full-time, seasonal opportunities with advanced scheduling. Earning up to 40 hours a week for your full-time commitment is our mutual goal. Our general schedule is planned out for the summer and specific schedules are published one week in advance.
For Guides, we offer $16-18 per hour minimum starting wage plus bonus and incentive programs. Great guides can easily make another $15-20 per hour in tips. Guest Services staff start at $18 per hour, plus commissions. We recognize your effort and invest in those that also invest in us. Seeing you back year to year is our goal and greatest joy.
OUR ADVENTURERS SAY:
“I was surrounded by people I loved, in a place that I loved, doing what I loved. CAC holds a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to get back to it.”
Aubrey, Raft Guide
“This past summer was my first season at Colorado Adventure Center as a zip guide, and I absolutely love it! I have the opportunity to meet and interact with people from all over the world and make their time in Colorado memorable, all while getting to zipline alongside some amazing co-guides!”
Jessica, Aerial Guide
“CAC is not just a fun and exciting workplace, it is a family built of amazing, wonderful people and opportunities.”
Kaylee, Raft Guide & Guest Service
Our Training Programs
Raft Training / Guide School Program
- Intensive 2-week course with just 2 days off (Guide School + IRAs)
- Swift water rescue
- Paddle rafting skills
- Instructor on boat through entire training
- Led by our Raft Supervisor and Lead Instructor, Ryan Hill, who has 15 years of guiding/instruction experience
- Our CPR/First Aid & Swiftwater Instructors provide training for all medical and rescue requirements for guide positions
TO APPLY:
- Must be over 18 years of age, be reasonably fit, have full body dexterity and full range of motion.
- Must have basic swimming ability without fear of water.
- Must pass the interview process to secure a seat in class.
- You are provided wetsuit, booties, splash jacket, and personal flotation device (PFD, or lifejacket) during class. Personal gear is recommended and evaluated for after class use approval.
- After training class, guides can purchase various gear such as a type III (minimum) lifejacket, a knife, whistle, cold weather gear (wetsuit or equivalent), a throw bag, dry bag, and personal cam-straps (sold at a significant discount, purchases are made through our retail store).
- Even though we hire most of our new guides from the training course,we emphasize that you must successfully pass the course and course tests to be hired.
Our 2026 Classes, Dates and Fees
Intensive River Guide Training (RGT)
Dates:
1st Class: May 4 – 8, 2026
2nd Class: May 17 – 21, 2026
3rd Class: May 31 – June 4, 2026
Cost = $500 (or FREE with Full-Time commitment)
Our Clear Creek River raft guide training classes are offered to individuals that are driven to succeed, attentive and aware, and safety conscious. This class will start to prepare you to guide paddle raft tours on the technical, narrow Clear Creek River. You will learn to:
- Personal preparation
- Set up and equip for full days on the river
- Assess risks in the river environment
- Read and run the river as a team
- Instruct and direct paddlers
- Prevent and respond to emergencies
- Swim and self-rescue in rapids
*This class has availability limited to potential new raft guides looking to work for the summer season.
Continued Training: Instructor Ride-Along’s (IRAs)
May and early June
The instructor ride-along consists of boat trips mixed with guests, guides, trainees, and instructors. Trip capacity is maximized for Instructor to trainee ratio and meeting all requirements for state of Colorado river guide qualification for all trainees.
Upon successful completion of Raft Training Program, trainees will be hired for the 2026 season.
CPR and 1st Aid in-person checks available if needed for a fee.
Swift Water Rescue 4 (SR4)
Dates: TBD in May/June 2026
Cost = $300 (= half off for CAC staff)
The Swiftwater Rescue workshop teaches recognition and avoidance of common river hazards, execution of self-rescue techniques, and rescue techniques for paddlers in distress. You will learn:
- Personal safety
- Simple, commonly used swiftwater skills
- Advanced techniques for greater risks
- Dealing with strainers
- Rescue vest applications
- Flips, entrapments and pins
- Accident prevention
*These classes are limited to potential new raft guides looking to work for the summer season.
AERIAL Guide TRAINING PROGRAM:
- Intensive 5-day training course + shadow days
- Skills for zipline and aerial adventure park tours
- Risk, emergency management and communication focus
- Led by Seth Teeple, who has 20 years of guiding/instruction experience
- Our CPR/First Aid Instructors provide training for medical rescue requirements for guide positions
TO APPLY:
- Must be over 18 years of age, be reasonably fit, and have full hand dexterity and full range of overhead arm motions.
- Must not have a fear of heights nor be prone to panic attacks or anxiety.
- Must meet the participant requirements (48” tall and between 65-250lbs).
- You are provided gear and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during class. Personal gear is NOT recommended and must be evaluated for approval.
- Although we hire most of our new guides from the training course, we emphasize that you must successfully pass the course and course tests to be hired.
Our 2026 Classes, Dates and Fees
Aerial Guide Training (AGT)
Dates: TBD in April, May, June
Cost: $500 (or FREE with Full-Time position commitment)
Our Aerial Guide training classes are offered to individuals that are driven to succeed, attentive and aware, and safety conscious. This class will start to prepare you to guide aerial adventure tours on ziplines and aerial adventure parks. You will learn:
- To use protective equipment
- Inspect courses
- Perform technical rescues
- To practice safety at-height
- To instruct and coach guests at-height
Our Season, Teams & Positions
OUR SEASON:
Aerial & Guest Service: April to September; Peak season June 15 – August 15
Rafting: May to early September; Peak season June 15 – August 15
Part-time work will be available; however, work-hour priority is given to full time or dedicated staff. Tour hours are reservation dependent, hours fluctuate through season, impacted by availability and need (that being said, we are one of the busiest outfitters).
Weekend/Holiday availability is required for all positions.
OUR TEAMS:
The Guest Service team creates the framework of the guest experience. The team provides online and phone reservation sales to quality guests for our activity teams to serve. The team is the first and last to interact with our guests on their visit. This team provides for our base needs and ensures the guests are well informed and prepared for their activity. Team training is provided at start of position or cross training from activity department.
The Aerial Team creates high flying, smooth landing experiences for our guests seeking adventures up in the air. The team provides step by step movements for guests to speed across zip lines and climb across obstacles. This team ensures at height safety, friendly interactions and unforgettable experiences.
The Rafting Team creates family focused, rough river paddling experiences for our guests seeking adventure on the water. The team provides step by step instruction for guests to push their boat across varied sections of the Clear Creek River. This team ensures on-river safety, epic stories and soaking wet splashes.
CURRENT SEASONAL, FULL TIME OPENINGS:
CDL Drivers: Starts mid-May to early June; Ends August/September – $24-28 per hour
- Provide timely transportation of guests, staff, and equipment to and from base.
- Ensure proper fueling, tire pressure, and fluids of vehicles are performed and documented daily.
- Book adventure tours online and over the phone by informing and guiding guest purchases
- Provide on-site check ins for guest arrivals by welcoming, informing, and directing guests to their adventuress
- Provide safe and quality aerial park and zip line tours for guests through constant monitoring, detailed instruction, and appropriate prevention and intervention
- Assist team in inspection of courses and equipment, preparation for tours, equipping guests, and documentation of work performed
Raft Guides: Starts May; Ends August/September – starting at $16 per hour + tips ($10-20 per hour average)
- Provide safe and quality river tours for guests through constant monitoring, detailed instruction, and appropriate prevention and intervention
- Assist boathouse team in inspection and set up of equipment, preparation for tours, shuttle van driving, equipping guests, and documentation of work performed
A Day in the Life as a guide
What does the guide life look like at CAC?
Raft Guide Day to Day:
- Check in for your morning trip (usually around 8/9 am but can vary)
- Prep the boats/boathouse and get gear ready for the day’s guests
- Prepare the guests for the trip
- Ensure a safe and fun adventure
- Close out the trip with excitement 2-3 hours later
- Lunch break
- Afternoon trip – similar flow as morning trip
- Clean up and close out the boathouse for the day
- (on busy days we may do a 3rd trip – these are called triple dips – but they are not frequent)
- After work: go hiking, fishing, hit the rec center, kickball, Beau Jo’s or Tommyknockers or just chill at camp and relax next to the fire 😉
Aerial Guide Day to Day:
- Check in for your morning trip (usually around 8/9 am but can vary) – Could be either a zipline tour or ropes course adventure
- Inspect the courses and get aerial gear ready
- Prepare the guests for the trip
- Ensure a safe and fun adventure
- Close out the trip with excitement ~2 hours later
- Lunch break
- Afternoon trip – similar flow as morning trip but will often switch adventure (zipline to ropes course or vice versa)
- Late afternoon trip – we will often do a 3rd trip on busier days in the summer
- After work: go hiking, fishing, hit the rec center, kickball, Beau Jo’s or Tommyknockers or just chill at camp and relax next to the fire 😉