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We all want to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When our furnaces or air conditioners break, we rely on a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanic, installer, or technician to fix them. There’s a lot to learn if you want a job in this essential workforce, and training is available throughout the Centennial State.
The growing demand for HVAC professionals in Colorado means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off. The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 30% growth rate in Colorado for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers as compared with 6% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of HVAC technician jobs posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know about HVAC trade schools and apprenticeships to get started as an HVAC professional in Colorado.
Colorado HVAC Training Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Many HVACR technicians receive post secondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last from six months to two years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.”
The BLS says new HVAC techs work alongside experienced technicians, though some gain experience from an apprenticeship program, which lasts between three and five years. Apprenticeship programs include learning about safety practices, blueprint reading, how to use tools, and gaining knowledge about the various systems used to heat and cool buildings.
Generally, HVAC license requirements vary from state to state and, in some cases, from locality to locality. Colorado doesn’t require a statewide license for HVAC work, but many localities do.
The following Colorado trade schools offer HVAC programs:
Front Range Community College in Fort Collins and Westminster
IntelliTec College in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction
Emily Griffith Technical College in Denver
Pikes Peak State College (formerly Pikes Peak Community College) in Colorado Springs
Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood and Arvada
Pickens Technical College in Aurora
HVAC Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. Because Colorado licensing requirements vary by locality, you should verify education requirements where you choose to work.
Aurora and Boulder, for example, don’t require advanced education, but do require a passing grade on the appropriate International Code Council exam.
Because of the complexity of today’s HVAC systems, many employers prefer to hire people who have completed both technical school courses and on-the-job training, as well as those who have field experience. In some cases, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
There’s typically a range of certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Some HVAC contractors may allow you to train with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a trade school, 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
Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you seek a degree in mechanical engineering technology, you’ll need a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree. If you want to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. If these paths interest you, you may want to explore other schools in Colorado such as:
Colorado State University in Fort Collins
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
HVAC programs at technical colleges are intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential HVAC applications. Most technical school graduates leave prepared to accept entry-level positions as an HVAC technician.
HVAC technicians must be knowledgeable in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and be prepared to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair cooling and heating systems including heat pumps, commercial refrigerators, gas heaters, air conditioners, and more.
To help guarantee future employment, you might consider attending an accredited program through an agency, such as the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) or HVAC Excellence.
Typical HVAC courses teach fundamentals including:
Safety
Computer concepts (diagnosing and repairing complex systems)
Heat pumps
Energy efficiency
Commercial HVAC and refrigerators
Basic electricity for HVAC
Basic refrigeration
Gas heating
Air conditioners
Refrigeration equipment
HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills
Refrigeration applications
Residential HVAC applications
Troubleshooting ventilation systems
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. 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 financial aid or federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Program length varies depending on the school and degree or certificate earned. Front Range Community College, for example, offers an HVAC/R Fundamentals certificate that can be earned in one semester and a Residential Air Conditioning and Heating certificate that takes three semesters to earn.
Level of Difficulty
HVAC training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as HVAC installers or technicians. HVAC technicians have to learn to do a lot of different things to be successful, including how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair HVAC systems, connect systems to fuel and water supply lines and air ducts, install electrical wiring and controls, proper techniques of refrigerant recovery, reclaiming and recycling, run diagnostics, and so much more.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The Colorado training centers listed below offer HVAC programs to prepare students for a career in the HVAC industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:
Front Range Community College
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Offers certificate programs in Residential Air Conditioning and Heating, Light Commercial Air Conditioning and Heating, Commercial Refrigeration, and HVAC/R Fundamentals
IntelliTec College
Emily Griffith Technical College
Offers an HVAC certificate program
Offers an HVAC Registered Apprenticeship
Offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Technology
Offers a Residential HVAC certificate
Red Rocks Community College
Offers several HVAC certificate options
Pickens Technical College
Steps for Enrollment in Colorado
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website, 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:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization 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 have earned 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.
HVAC Career Requirements in Colorado
To recap, there are no statewide licensing requirements to perform HVAC work in Colorado. Cities and municipalities impose their own requirements, with many cities requiring a passing grade on the appropriate International Code Council exam.
For examples of the path to licensure in Denver and Pikes Peak, check out this Colorado guide to HVAC licensing.
HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Colorado, must obtain an EPA HVAC certification if they conduct refrigerant line-pressure tests, or handle or add refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems, according to EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
For a detailed explanation of EPA certification and Colorado’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Colorado HVAC License.
Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Colorado
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an HVAC technician or licensed contractor, 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 HVAC professional in Colorado? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC technician salary in Colorado for 2024 is:
Entry level <2 years: $52,200
Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,000
Senior 4-6 years: $68,400
Supervisor > 7 years: $89,400
For more information about HVAC 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 skilled trades, including electricians, HVAC, and plumbing. Current employers offering HVAC apprenticeships include:
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Kansas, Nebraska, and Utah.
Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas
Mountainland Applied Technology College in multiple Utah cities
Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an electrician in Colorado. The opportunities are all around you.
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