Colorado — The Centennial State
St. Joseph Hospital Denver pays you $16/hr while you train — covering all tuition. Community colleges start at $400. Colorado faces a projected 56,000 healthcare worker shortage by 2026. The Centennial State needs CNAs and is investing in getting you trained.
Colorado is experiencing a healthcare workforce crisis — the Colorado Workforce Development Council has projected a gap of 56,000 entry-level and mid-level healthcare workers by 2026, and Colorado is forecast to be the third-worst state for nursing shortages. That shortage is your opportunity. With over 1,170 active CNA job postings statewide, employers are competing for qualified CNAs — and some are willing to pay you to train. Colorado CNAs average $43,580/year ($21.44/hr), well above the national average, with the Denver metro and Front Range consistently paying the most.
Program costs & details
Colorado CNA programs cost $400–$1,400 at community colleges, technical institutes, and private schools. High school students may qualify for free training at their local schools. Programs run 3 weeks to a full semester. Emily Griffith Technical College in Denver is one of the most respected workforce training institutions in the state, and Community College of Denver offers two campus options with flexible scheduling.
| School / Program | Location | Cost (approx.) | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph Hospital (Intermountain / ccCna) | Denver | Tuition-free + $16/hr paid during training | 2 weeks (76 hours) | Hospital-based — classroom, simulation lab + 2 days clinical |
| The Denver Hospice / Colorado Visiting Nurse Assoc. | Denver | Tuition-free (hire before completion) | Varies | Employer-sponsored — can be hired before certification |
| Community College of Denver (CCD) | Denver (Lowry / Auraria campuses) | ~$400–$700 (FAFSA eligible) | 7.5 weeks (twice/week) or 15 weeks (once/week) | In-person — two campus options, scholarship available |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver | ~$700–$1,000 | 6–8 weeks | In-person — well-respected workforce training institution |
| Pueblo Community College | Pueblo / Canon City / Fremont | ~$500–$800 | 6–10 weeks | In-person — southern Colorado option |
| Morgan Community College | Burlington / Fort Morgan (rural eastern CO) | ~$400–$700 | 6–10 weeks | In-person — serves rural eastern Colorado |
| Employer-Sponsored (LTC Facilities statewide) | Statewide | Tuition-free (federal requirement) | Varies | On-the-job — first-come-first-served, ask directly |
Intermountain Healthcare Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver — in partnership with ccCna — offers a 2-week paid CNA training program where participants earn $16 per hour during all 76 training hours. No tuition. You're paid from day one. The program covers classroom instruction, hands-on practice in a simulation lab, and two days of clinical experience at a skilled nursing facility. Participants can even be hired by The Denver Hospice or Colorado Visiting Nurse Association before completing certification. This is the strongest financial entry point into CNA training in Colorado. Search "ccCna Denver" or "St. Joseph Hospital CNA training Denver" to find current class availability.
2026 salary data
Colorado CNAs average $43,580/year ($21.44/hr) — above the national average. The Denver metro and Front Range pay the most, while rural communities sometimes offer hiring incentives to offset lower base wages. Hospital CNAs earn more than nursing home CNAs statewide.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Cost of Living Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver / Aurora | $19–$24/hr | ~$38,000–$42,000 | BLS metro avg — UCHealth, SCL Health, Denver Health hub |
| Boulder | $20–$25/hr | ~$41,600–$52,000 | Boulder Community Health — high COL, highest local wages |
| Fort Collins / Loveland | $19–$24/hr | ~$39,520–$49,920 | UCHealth Poudre Valley, Banner Health — Front Range market |
| Colorado Springs | $18–$23/hr | ~$37,440–$47,840 | UCHealth Memorial, Penrose-St. Francis — military community |
| Pueblo | $17–$21/hr | ~$35,360–$43,680 | Parkview Medical Center, St. Mary-Corwin — lower COL |
| Grand Junction / Western Slope | $18–$23/hr | ~$37,440–$47,840 | St. Mary's Regional Medical Center — rural shortage incentives |
| Rural Eastern Colorado | $17–$22/hr | ~$35,360–$45,760 | Lower base pay but hiring incentives and ultra-low COL |
Sources: CNAClasses.com Colorado (2026), BLS OEWS, Community College of Denver. Starting pay $15–$17/hr; experienced hospital CNAs reach $20–$24/hr. Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & employer-sponsored options
Your next step
Colorado LPN programs run 11–12 months and the median LPN salary is $59,340/year — with Denver metro LPNs earning $60,800. Community College of Denver's LPN program boasts a 100% job placement rate and 98% three-year NCLEX-PN pass rate — and CNA experience is a significant advantage for admission.
Colorado Board of Nursing approved program. State certification exam. 3 weeks to full semester. CCD from ~$400, or St. Joseph $16/hr paid.
Community College of Denver (100% job placement, 98% NCLEX pass rate). Pueblo CC, Emily Griffith, Morgan CC also offer programs. ~11–12 months. Median CO LPN: $59,340/year.
CCD ADN, Colorado State University, University of Colorado, Metropolitan State. Average CO RN salary: $80,670/year. Colorado is the 2nd fastest-growing state for RNs and NPs nationally.
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