Electrician Schools in Colorado: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Colorado Electrician Training Programs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program. For each year of the program, apprentices typically receive 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training as well as some technical instruction. Workers who gained electrical experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing. Some electricians start out by attending a technical school. Many technical schools offer programs related to circuitry, safety practices, and basic electrical information. Graduates of these programs usually receive credit toward their apprenticeship.” 

According to the BLS, some electricians enter apprenticeship programs after working as an electrician helper. The Home Builders Institute offers a pre-apprenticeship certificate training (PACT) program for eight construction trades, including electricians.

The state of Colorado mandates licensing to perform electrical work. To begin the process, candidates must join a qualified apprenticeship program and submit a registration form as an electrical apprentice with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.

The following community colleges and training centers offer electrician classes in Colorado:

• Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood and Arvada

• Western Colorado Community College — Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction

• Emily Griffith Technical College in Denver, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs

Colorado Apprenticeships

• Colorado Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (CSEJATC)

• Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain (IECRM)

• Apprenticeship Colorado

Electrician Degrees & Certificates

There’s typically a range of degree and certificate programs, but most electricians enter an apprenticeship rather than a college program. Some electrical contractors may allow you to get hands-on training with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a technical college, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:

• Certificate Program – three to six months

• Associate’s Degree – two years

• Bachelor’s Degree – four years

Put simply, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you wish to be an electrical engineer, you’ll need at least a four-year bachelor’s degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Electrical Engineering degree at one of the four-year universities in Colorado such as:

• Colorado Technical University in Aurora and Colorado Springs

• University of Colorado in Boulder

• Colorado State University in Fort Collins

As stated earlier, in many cases formal education can pay off in the form of higher wages.

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

Electrical programs at technical colleges and trade schools are all intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential electrical applications. All combine theory and the practical skills needed to do the job. Most encourage students to work in their field of interest while attending school. Some are intended to give students a base of knowledge to prepare them to be helpers and get that first job with a licensed electrician. 

Typically, these programs include coursework in the fundamentals of electrical technology. Classroom and laboratory experiences allow students to become proficient in the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, transformers, A/C and D/C motor control circuit, instrumentation, and programmable logic controllers used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. They all cover safety and the National Electric Code (NEC). Among the most common classes offered in these programs are:

• Foundations of Mathematics

• Industrial Safety Procedures

• Direct Current

• Alternating Current

• Electrical Prints, Schematics, and Symbols

• Commercial Wiring

• Residential Wiring

• Electrical Systems and Controls

• Communication Systems

• Diagnostic Troubleshooting

• OSHA standards

School Selection Criteria

There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.

Cost

Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Colorado community colleges on average is $4,455 per year for in-state students and $10,707 for out-of-state students. However, many of the accredited electrician programs listed here are part of apprenticeship programs where tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved. 

You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and  state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

To apply for a journeyman electrician license in Colorado, you must demonstrate 8,000 hours (about four years) of work experience through a registered apprenticeship program and complete 288 hours of classroom training.

Level of Difficulty

Electrical training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as an electrical technician. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes electrical theory, blueprint reading, mathematics, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. Students may also receive specialized training related to soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.

School Comparison: At a Glance

The accredited training schools listed in this article are part of Colorado’s college system. They typically offer students financial aid in the form of grants. Apprenticeships have limited openings for candidates, and many of the programs below are only available to students who participate in a registered apprenticeship. These electrical apprenticeship programs are intended to fulfill all or part of the required training needed to apply for a journeyman electrician license.

Red Rocks Community College

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in: Construction Electrician, Maintenance Electrician, and Power Technology

• Offers a 288-hour journeyman license certificate

Western Colorado Community College — Colorado Mesa University

• Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Constructional Electrical

• Offers a technical certificate in Construction Electrical

Emily Griffith Technical College

• Offers a Registered Apprenticeship Program

Steps for Enrollment in Colorado

Every training program has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission online, in person or by mail. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:

1. Complete your application.

2. Pay the application fee (if applicable).

3. Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.

4. Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.

5. Submit placement test scores.

6. If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.

If you choose to start with an apprenticeship program, you will want to contact the JATC, local union, or IEC or ABC chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or with a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a C or better or pass an aptitude test.

• Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks

Electrician Career Requirements in Colorado

Colorado requires a mix of on-the-job training and classroom instruction to fulfill licensing requirements. To become eligible for a journeyman electrician license, you must earn a minimum of 8,000 hours of full-time experience as a licensed apprentice and complete 288 hours of classroom training.

To become eligible for the master electrician licensing exam, you must obtain an electrical engineering degree and achieve 2,000 hours of work experience as an apprentice, or complete a trade school or community college program in electrical construction and also demonstrate 2,000 hours of work experience as an apprentice.

To apply for an electrical contractor license, you must show proof of business insurance, workers' compensation, and unemployment insurance. Additionally, you must also employ at least one licensed master electrician in the state of Colorado. 

After receiving a license, journeyman, master, and contractor electricians must complete 24 professional development credits per year. All Colorado licenses must be renewed every three years.

For a detailed explanation of Colorado’s electrical licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Colorado Electrical License.

Salaries for Electricians in Colorado

Before paying for technical training at a trade school or completing a lengthy electrician apprenticeship, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an electrical professional in Colorado? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median electrician salary in Colorado for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $53,700

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $64,000

• Senior 4-6 years: $72,000

• Supervisor > 7 years: $101,400

For more information about electrician salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.

Industry Apprenticeships

To meet apprenticeship requirements in Colorado, you must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years of age. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice.

Apprenticeship Colorado maintains a list of open apprenticeships across Colorado for all trades, including electricians, HVAC, and plumbing.

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offer union-based apprenticeships. The Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain offers nonunion apprenticeship programs through local merit shops.

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Kansas, Wyoming, and Utah.

• Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas

• Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming

• Mountainland Applied Technology College in multiple Utah cities

You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Colorado. The opportunities are all around you.