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River Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

The Outlaw Group

Whitewater Raft Guide - Return

Kremmling, CO · On-site

$13.50 - $15.25/hr

As a Raft Guide, you will be the face of our company, responsible for leading safe, educational, and fun river trips while ensuring an exceptional customer experience. A Whitewater Raft Guide is ...

The Outlaw Group

River Manager

Kremmling, CO · On-site

$16K - $19K/mo

Outpost Management Team - River Manager Location(s): Kremmling, CO. Idaho Springs, CO. Buena Vista, CO Work Season: Full time and Part Time, May 2026 to September 2026, Relocation?: Would you be ...

The Outlaw Group

River Manager

Kremmling, CO · On-site

$16K - $19K/mo

Outpost Management Team - River Manager Location(s): Kremmling, CO. Idaho Springs, CO. Buena Vista, CO Work Season: Full time and Part Time, May 2026 to September 2026, Relocation?: Would you be ...

The Outlaw Group

River Manager

Idaho Springs, CO · On-site

$16K - $19K/mo

Outpost Management Team - River Manager Location(s): Kremmling, CO. Idaho Springs, CO. Buena Vista, CO Work Season: Full time and Part Time, May 2026 to September 2026, Relocation?: Would you be ...

The Outlaw Group

River Manager

Buena Vista, CO · On-site

$16K - $19K/mo

Outpost Management Team - River Manager Location(s): Kremmling, CO. Idaho Springs, CO. Buena Vista, CO Work Season: Full time and Part Time, May 2026 to September 2026, Relocation?: Would you be ...

The Outlaw Group

River Manager

Idaho Springs, CO · On-site

$16K - $19K/mo

Outpost Management Team - River Manager Location(s): Kremmling, CO. Idaho Springs, CO. Buena Vista, CO Work Season: Full time and Part Time, May 2026 to September 2026, Relocation?: Would you be ...

The Outlaw Group

River Manager

Buena Vista, CO

$16K - $19K/mo

Outpost Management Team - River Manager Location(s): Kremmling, CO. Idaho Springs, CO. Buena Vista, CO Work Season: Full time and Part Time, May 2026 to September 2026, Relocation?: Would you be ...

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River information

See Colorado salary details

$8

$20

$41

How much do river jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for river in Colorado is $20.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $20.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a river worker do?

River workers are professionals who manage, maintain, and monitor rivers to ensure their health, navigability, and safety. Their duties can include water quality testing, flood prevention, debris removal, wildlife conservation, and overseeing river traffic. They often work for government agencies, environmental organizations, or private companies, and may also be involved in educational or recreational activities related to rivers. The specific tasks of river workers can vary depending on their role, such as river rangers, maintenance crews, or environmental scientists.

What is the difference between River vs Waterway?

AspectRiverWaterway
DefinitionA natural flowing body of water that moves toward an ocean, sea, lake, or another river.A human-made or natural channel used for transportation or irrigation.
Work EnvironmentNatural outdoor settings, often in rural or wilderness areas.Can be in urban or rural areas, including canals, locks, and artificial channels.
Common UsageNavigation, ecological habitats, recreation.Transportation, irrigation, flood control.

While rivers are natural water bodies flowing through landscapes, waterways include both natural and artificial channels designed for navigation or water management. Understanding these differences helps in selecting the right career or project focus related to water management and environmental conservation.

What are the typical responsibilities of a river engineer and how do they collaborate with other professionals on waterway projects?

River Engineers are primarily responsible for designing, managing, and maintaining river systems to control flooding, prevent erosion, and support navigation. Their daily tasks often involve site assessments, hydrological modeling, and overseeing construction or restoration activities. Collaboration is key in this role—they frequently work alongside environmental scientists, civil engineers, government agencies, and local communities to ensure projects meet regulatory requirements and achieve sustainability goals. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as river engineering projects often impact diverse stakeholder groups.
What are the most commonly searched types of River jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of River jobs in Colorado are:
What job categories do people searching River jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for River jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for River jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most River job openings:
River jobs near you
Infographic showing various River job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 2% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,098 per year, or $20.7 per hour.

Whitewater Raft Guide - Return

The Outlaw Group

Kremmling, CO • On-site

$13.50 - $15.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Join the Team!

At the Outlaw Group, we believe in the adventure, and in living day to day, in what is real and in front of us. Not only do we seek to provide unforgettable experiences for our guests, but we encourage our employees to reimagine the best of Colorado's outdoor spaces and urban areas. We are adventurers, innovators, and explorers, and we look for employees that share this same passion for life. We intend to grow together, testing the boundaries of what is possible, as we constantly consider new ways to challenge ourselves and industry standards.

Job Description:

AVA Rafting & Zip Line: Raft Guides

Location(s):

Kremmling, CO. Idaho Springs, CO. Buena Vista, CO

Work Season:

Full time and Part Time, May 2026 to September 2026,
Relocation?:

Would you be moving to Colorado for this summer gig? AVA does offer some employee living accommodations at Buena Vista and Idaho Springs Outpost.

Return Pay Rate:

Starting pay for return guides is 15.56 an hour (guides returning after rookie year) with tips adding anywhere from an additional 10 to 20 dollars an hour on average. Guides returning to AVA receive pay increase relative to their years at the company and white-water skill level.

As a Raft Guide, you will be the face of our company, responsible for leading safe, educational, and fun river trips while ensuring an exceptional customer experience. A Whitewater Raft Guide is responsible for safely navigating a commercial raft down the river while managing guests, providing interpretive information, and executing swiftwater rescue techniques as needed.

Returning Guide?

AVA is looking for experienced raft guides to join our team across Colorado. If you are looking for new water and great people we are the company for you! If you have experience in class III+ whitewater, apply today.
*Experienced raft guides will need up-to date and verifiable river miles upon employment start and will be required to perform checkout runs for any new river stretches to be commercially guided with AVA*
*NOTE*This job does require onsite location in Colorado, the company does have options areas for employees to live during the summer

What You'll Do

  • Navigate rafts down a river while managing a great guest experience!

  • Maintain equipment, gear, and the work area.

  • Maintain situational awareness and readiness to help perform river rescue maneuvers if needed.

  • 2 -3 trips a day typically ~9-hour workdays

  • Having a great time outdoors with guest and coworkers!

What we Look For

  • Physically capable individuals passionate about the outdoors.

  • Strong teamwork skills.

  • People with an emphasis on customer care.

  • Experience on class III to class V whitewater.

  • Individuals with up-to-date CPR, First Aid, and other training is always a plus!

Work Availability

  • Part Time < ~30 hours

  • Full Time ~ 40 hours

  • Holidays (4th of July)

Benefits

  • The job is a service industry job meaning guest are encouraged to tip.

  • Base pay is relative to your previous time at AVA.

  • Gear discounts! AVA works with many companies in the outdoor industry, as an AVA employee you have access to discounts strictly for outdoor industry professionals across many major brands such as North face, Yeti, Patagonia, and more.

Why Apply Today?
Whether it's your love for the Rockies, soaking up the sun, meeting new friends, or trying something new - AVA offers all this as a Whitewater Raft Guide!

AVA Rafting & Zip Line is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

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