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There are many people starting a new career as a truck driver in Colorado.
Read on to find out more details about the process if you also considered such a career.
Article Table of Contents
See If You’re Qualified
Being a truck driver means meeting certain criteria.
First, you’ll need a Class A, B or C driving license, and even some endorsements.
To get such a license, you’ll have to enroll in a driving school, and we’ll talk more about that later, and then pass the driving exam.
You’ll also have to generally be over the age of 21, with 18 being accepted in some cases, however, a younger driver will have some limitations imposed when driving.
You’ll also need a clean driving record, have a driving license for at least 1 year, pass a background check and a drug test in some cases.
Providing your Social Security Number is also required in Colorado, or at least to be able to prove you have permission to work in the USA.
Getting Your License
First, you’ll have to decide which class license to get.
Class A
- Covers all the classes below
- It’s for combination vehicles heavier than 26,000 pounds
- You can tow a trailer of over 10,000 pounds
Class B
- Covers all the classes below it
- It’s for single vehicles heavier than 26,000 pounds
- You can tow a trailer of under 10,000 pounds
Class C
- Covers all the class below
- It’s for single combination vehicles that don’t belong in the above classes
- You can drive buses for over 16 people OR transport Hazardous Materials
The next class is D, which you probably already have since it covers personal vehicles.
Finding a school is relatively easy, as Colorado has many options, as seen below.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| 5 Star CDL Academy, LLC | 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction, Colorado 81503 |
| AIMS Community College | 5401 W 20th St, Greeley, CO 80634 |
| Careers Worldwide - Stevens Transport | 35 S. Main St, Keenesburg, CO 80643 |
| CDL Certifiers Inc. - Western Colorado Community College | 2508 Blichmann Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81505 |
| CDL College | 7170 Dahlia St. Commerce City, CO 80022 |
| CDL College | 2107 H Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81505 |
| CDL Safety School | 2850 South Rooney Rd, Morrison, CO 80465 |
| Colorado CDL Training School | 2118 Freedom Rd, Trinidad, CO 81082 |
| Commercial Vehicle Training Center | 1810 N Watkins Rd Watkins, CO 80137 |
| CTS Driving Academy | 3401 Quebec St., Suite 8200 Denver, CO 80207 |
| Excel Driver Services | 9695 Brighton Rd. Henderson, CO 80640 |
| Northern Colorado Truck Driving Academy | Training Area/Test Site: 2200 Airway Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80524 Office/Classroom: 425 John Deer Dr. Fort Collins, CO 80524 |
| Sage Truck Driving School | 10401 E. 102nd Ave, Unit A, Henderson, CO 80640 |
| Sage Truck Driving School | 2800 Printers Way, Grand Junction, CO 81506 |
| Springs Truck Driving School | 6550 Mark Dabling Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 |
| United States Truck Driving School | 8150 W 48th Ave Wheat Ridge CO 80033 |
| United States Truck Driving School | 19825 Wigwam Rd Fountain, CO 80817 |
Some of these schools might offer a scholarship, so it’s best to see if this is an option and if you qualify for it.
It’s best to select a school where the classrooms are smaller so that the teacher would be able to answer all the questions from all students.
Schools usually mention the size of the classes, or you can ask them.
Generally, it’s the driving schools where you get the endorsements.
These endorsements are needed if you have to drive under specific conditions.
You can become a commercial driver, a diesel mechanic or a number of other certifications that can help you earn more money, but we talk about this subject below.
Remember to renew your license when your current one expires.
Also, be aware that the exams are not free of charge, and neither is the renewal.
Income
In Colorado, the median salary for these drivers is $44,092 annually, while those in the top 10% make about $51,100 per year.
In the United States, these drivers earn a median salary of $44,225 per year while those in the top 10% make around $51,254 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Denver | $44,725 |
| Colorado Springs | $44,017 |
| Aurora | $44,695 |
| Fort Collins | $43,053 |
| Thornton | $44,725 |
| Arvada | $44,725 |
| Westminster | $44,725 |
| Pueblo | $41,014 |
| Boulder | $45,375 |
| Greeley | $43,236 |
Regional Salary in Colorado
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 550 | $55,480 | $26.67 | $70,660 | $39,880 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 2,290 | $51,390 | $24.71 | $63,520 | $38,680 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 15,760 | $56,830 | $27.32 | $73,300 | $40,890 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 1,440 | $52,390 | $25.19 | $62,490 | $38,050 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 870 | $50,700 | $24.37 | $62,370 | $36,840 |
| Greeley, CO | 2,820 | $54,360 | $26.14 | $65,220 | $40,580 |
| Pueblo, CO | 500 | $49,430 | $23.76 | $72,330 | $36,140 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Conclusion
Once you get your license and endorsements you’ll easily find a job with trucking companies or even schools.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State