How to Become a Correctional Officer in Colorado
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To become a correctional officer in Colorado, you apply directly to the Colorado Department of Corrections, pass a background investigation and drug screen, and complete a paid Basic Training Academy after you are hired. Colorado correctional officers earn a median wage of $62,140 per year, about $29.87 an hour, based on May 2025 BLS figures. State correctional officer roles do not require a college degree or a peace officer license to apply. Training happens after you are hired, through CDOC's own Basic Training, rather than a certification you complete first.
Featured Criminal Justice Programs on Dreambound
A college degree is not required to become a correctional officer in Colorado, but a criminal justice degree can help you qualify for federal roles or move into supervisory and specialized positions later. Dreambound is a marketplace where you can compare vocational and degree programs from schools across the country in one place.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Colorado Technical University Online
- Format: Online
- 182 credit hours
- General track or a human services concentration
B.S. Criminal Justice - Colorado Christian University
- Format: Online
- Coursework spanning law enforcement, corrections, and homeland security
Compare these two programs and others on Dreambound to find a format and schedule that fit.
Correctional Officer Career Paths in Colorado
With experience, correctional officers in Colorado can move beyond the entry-level role. Advancement usually follows time on the job, a strong record, and additional training.
Common paths include:
- Promotion through the ranks to Correctional Officer II, sergeant, and higher
- Specialized assignments such as tactical teams, training, or intake and classification
- Moving into related roles like probation, parole, or correctional case management
- Federal corrections with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which typically requires a bachelor's degree or qualifying experience
Each step tends to bring more responsibility and, often, higher pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you need to be a probation officer in Colorado?
Probation officers in Colorado work for the state Judicial Branch and typically need a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, sociology, psychology, human services, or a related field. The Judicial Branch also accepts an associate degree plus two years of related experience, or a high school diploma with four years of related experience. Probation officers may also complete safety or defensive tactics training after hire, especially those assigned field supervision duties.
Can you become a correctional officer in Colorado with a felony conviction?
No. The Colorado Department of Corrections does not hire applicants with felony convictions for correctional officer roles. Every candidate goes through a background investigation and a drug screen before hire, and disqualifying history can end the process. Requirements for county detention roles vary, so check with the specific sheriff's office.
Do Colorado correctional officers carry firearms?
Correctional officers in Colorado receive firearms training during the Basic Training Academy and qualify with both an AR-15 and a shotgun. Not every post is armed, but officers assigned to armed positions must pass annual firearms certification. Defensive tactics and less-lethal tools are also part of daily work.
Can you transfer correctional officer experience to Colorado from another state?
Colorado does not offer a direct transfer of correctional officer certification, because the state trains its own officers through the CDOC academy rather than issuing a portable license. Prior corrections experience can strengthen your application, but new hires still complete Colorado's Basic Training. County jobs set their own rules on prior experience.
Building Your Correctional Officer Career in Colorado
Colorado stands out for a reason many prospective officers do not expect: the state hires you first and pays you to train. There is no certification to buy and no peace officer academy to fund on your own before you can start. That makes corrections one of the more accessible ways into public safety work in the state, as long as you meet the age, background, and physical standards.
If you are weighing corrections against a related path, or thinking about the education that supports long-term advancement, you can compare criminal justice programs across Colorado on Dreambound as you plan your next move.
