Apply to become a CMG Volunteer
- Proceed through county CMG application and acceptance process.
- Sign pay back contract and perform 50 hours minimum service in exchange for training.
- Pay state and county program fees -- Program fees include printing cost of CMG reference books (instructor's handouts and home gardening fact sheets), instructors' travel cost, lab materials and curriculum development fee, classroom rentals, and other local program delivery costs. Fee varies from county to county depending on how county budgets supplement the training. Program fees typically run $160 to $200. Contact your county office of CSU Cooperative Extension for actual program fees in your county.
- Volunteer become a Colorado Master Gardener upon completion of pay back hours.
By ruling of the US Supreme Court, volunteering for any organization is a privilege, not a right. So correctly stated, an interested person applies to the CMG program. Acceptances is based on interest in and availability for volunteer service, people skills, and gardening experience.
For additional information on CMG volunteer work, refer to CMG Outreach. For additional information on the CMG application process, refer to Becoming a CMG Volunteer.
The term Colorado Master Gardener is a registered service mark of CSU Cooperative Extension and may be use only in official CSU Cooperative Extension activities. The title Colorado Master Gardener may not be used as a means of establishing a person's credentials outside of official CMG Program activities. The title Colorado Master Gardener may not be use in marketing materials of a garden store, nursery, or other private business. CMG name tag and clothing items may not be worn while working in a garden store, nursery or other private business; or in any means that would imply an endorsement of CSU of a business.
Participate in the training only, without a volunteer commitment
Colorado Master Gardener / Colorado Gardener Certificate Training is also available without a volunteer commitment for a higher fee. Non-volunteer students receive the Colorado Gardener Certificate upon successful completion of the course.
Cost of the course as a Colorado Gardener Certificate student (that is without a volunteer commitment) includes $300 tuition PLUS program fees (which vary from county to county depending on how the county budget supplements the training costs) which run from $160 to $200; for a total of $460 to $500. Contact your county office of CSU Cooperative Extension for specific fees in your location.
Space may be limited and is open on a first come (pay) basis. Attendance at 80% of the classes and passing grades on exams and quizzes is required for the Colorado Gardener Certificate.
The Colorado Gardener Certificate only implies participation in training opportunity and thus may be used to market credentials of the individual. The title Colorado Gardener Certificate may be used in marketing materials for a business. Upon completion of 50 hours minimum payback, a CMG volunteers may also receive the Colorado Gardener Certificate upon request.
