How to become a state trooper in Colorado
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) hires state troopers under the title Trooper I. New state troopers start at $96,552 a year, rising to $122,136 after about 8 years. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $96,552 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $122,136 |
| Years to top | 8 |
CSP: Trooper I $8,046/month after the academy and field training (x 12 = $96,552); Trooper II at 4th anniversary $9,406/month ($112,872); Trooper III at 8th anniversary $10,178/month ($122,136). Cadets (academy and FTO program) earn $7,172/month. Anniversary date is the first of the month after graduation. No lateral entry into Trooper I; all hires start as cadets.
Source:[csp.colorado.gov]
Pay for this work across Colorado
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Colorado, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 9,610 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $65,340 |
| Median pay | $97,350 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $109,300 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma or GED at time of application
- Citizenship: No U.S. citizenship requirement stated; Colorado POST certifies non-citizens who can lawfully possess a firearm and have legal employment authorization
- Must be 20 to apply and at least 21 at the start of the next scheduled academy class
- Applications accepted from across the U.S., not only Colorado residents
- Disqualifiers include any felony or domestic violence conviction, POST-defined misdemeanors, illegal drug use within 5 years, marijuana use within 12 months, and listed driving-record violations
- Must live within the residency requirement of the assigned duty station and accept assignment anywhere in Colorado
Source:[post.colorado.gov]
Hiring process
- Online application on CO Jobs; HR review of minimum and preferred qualifications
- Online written exam
- Comprehensive background investigation and interview
- Polygraph examination
- Appointing Authority Structured Application Review Board
- Oral board interview in Golden
- Conditional job offer
- Psychological assessment and interview, 10-panel drug test, medical clearance
Source:[csp.colorado.gov]
Entrance exam
CSP online written exam. Scheduled through a link from HR after minimum-qualification review; study guide available on request. No formal test name given.[csp.colorado.gov]
Academy
26 weeks, paid. CSP Training Academy in Golden. Cadets live at the academy through Phase 2 (about the first 10 weeks), leaving only on weekends; afterward those within an hour of Golden may go home nightly. Cadets are paid the cadet salary. Lateral academy is 14 weeks (not currently accepting laterals).[csp.colorado.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Colorado PERA Defined Benefit Plan, Safety Officer (State Trooper) category, hired on or after Jan. 1, 2020
- Benefit formula: HAS x 2.5% x years of service, up to 100%; HAS = average of the 5 highest 12-month salary periods
- When you can retire: Full service retirement: any age with 35 years, age 55 with 25 years, or age 65 with any service; reduced: age 55 with 20 years or age 60 with 5 years
Safety Officer member contribution 13.0%. PERA states most members do not contribute to Social Security. A PERA DC Plan alternative exists.
Source:[content.copera.org]