First, apply to a lot of companies. Applying this time of year through January is ideal. Some Companies have cut off dates for application in Jan and Feb so you want to get in early.
Next, ask lots of questions:
• How many trips per day/week/month can I expect from you? No one will make promises, but there is a huge variation in the number and type of trips you will get. This will have a huge impact on how much cash you make for the season. Pin them down on this even if it takes some real effort and get actual numbers if possible for last years rookies. Remember that generally a company that can put you on three or four trips a day is better than someone that can only get you one trip a day. Get tipped 4 times or once – even if you only get a few trips at least you are working versus not getting any work/cash that day.
• What’s their tip policy? Do they allow signs, guide speeches, or have other tipping inducements? Tips will make up anywhere from 10-40% of your guiding income, and you want it to be the latter not the former.
• What work is required outside of guiding, safety talks and dealing with putting away/cleaning rafts, wetsuits, lifejackets, helmets and paddles? The stuff just mentioned is par for the course – vacuuming the shop, folding t-shirts, cleaning bathrooms, dealing with landscaping and numerous other duties are piled on by some companies as part of your PER TRIP pay. Watch out. Make sure you get paid extra for non-guiding duties and understand if this affects how many trips you get per day/week. Picking weeds should never be part of your per trip pay, being forced to “volunteer” for work w/o pay to get trips should never happen.
• What is their per trip pay? Rookies may make as little as $25 per half day, but senior guides can get $70+ for the same trip. More trips (and Tips) are usually better than a bit more per trip, but look for the most you can get. Top guides can make over $200/day plus tips, although that is rare on the Arkansas.
• Ask how many of their senior guides are returning. A high percentage indicates a generally good work environment, low percentage usually means something is wrong – bad management, low pay, lots of extra unpaid work, etc.
• Ask how close they are to the river and put-in/takeouts. Generally you don't get paid for riding in the van/bus, so the less time you are in a vehicle the higher your per hour pay is.
I know you asked for specific company recommendations – I only worked on the Canon City vicinity of the Ark. That was 7 years ago so I can’t make any real recommendations – but the stuff above should help you get on the right track. (I have guided commercially for 7 seasons in CO, WV and AK). I would also recommend checking out opportunities on other river/places in CO - Durango and the Animas, Canon City - Ark, Clear Creek - Golden, Poudre - Ft. Collins.