Plumbing Schools in Colorado: The Ultimate Guide

Accredited Colorado Plumber Training Programs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some attend a vocational-technical school before receiving on-the-job training. Most states require plumbers to be licensed.” 

All of this holds true for Colorado, which requires apprenticeship and licensure to perform plumbing work in the state. 

Statewide regulations for plumbers are set by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Division of Professions and Occupations. The Colorado State Plumbing Board falls under its purview, issuing three plumbing license classifications and requiring apprentice and contractor registrations.

The following Colorado trade schools and training centers offer plumbing programs:

• Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood and Arvada

• Emily Griffith Technical College in Denver

• Western States College of Construction in Cheyenne, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Grand Junction

• Construction Industry Training Council in Wheat Ridge

Plumbing Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefit of getting some 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. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some, like the state of Colorado, don’t have advanced education requirements. 

However, some plumber apprenticeship programs are very competitive, and you will need to find ways to move up the ranking list to be selected. There are often classes applicants can take in high school and college to help them prepare and perhaps be ranked higher on the candidate list.

They include coursework like blueprint reading and construction classes, and math classes like Algebra I & II, Calculus, Geometry, and Trigonometry.

Very few plumbers choose to get a four-year bachelor’s degree unless they’re seeking a related engineering or building construction degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Mechanical Engineering degree programs at one of the four-year universities in Colorado, such as:

• University of Colorado Boulder

• Colorado State University in Fort Collins

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

Plumbing programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in plumbing, pipefitting, and related fields. All classroom instruction combines theory and practical skills. Most develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.

Among the plumbing courses you’ll take are:

• Introduction to Plumbing Technology

• Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

• Plumbing Blueprints and Codes

• Waste, Sewer Drainage Systems, and Venting Systems

• Underground Water Supply and Distribution Systems

• Plumbing Fixtures and Appliance Installation

Further along will be intermediate and advanced plumbing concepts, pipe fabrication, and welding technology fundamentals, among other education courses, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety procedures certification, too.

School Selection Criteria

There are a lot of things to consider when picking the apprenticeship or school and program that is right for you.

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 federal (Pell Grant) and state grants can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

Program length varies. Red Rocks Community College offers a one-year certificate program, while Emily Griffith Technical College partners with unions and trade organizations to offer a plumbing apprenticeship. Becoming a plumber in Colorado requires a two-year apprenticeship.

Benefits

There are many benefits to formal education if you want to join the plumbing profession. Many employers will choose an applicant with a certificate or pre-apprenticeship education over one without. Those credentials can also give you an edge in the selection process for an apprenticeship. Having some basic knowledge helps you to hit the ground running and secure your place in a shop full of professionals.

Online vs. in-person

You may choose to get that jump on plumbing training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you. 

Penn Foster and Ashworth College are two of the most recognizable online plumbing programs. Bob Vila’s website and the CPA Accounting Institute for Success both list them at the top of their posts about the Best Online Courses for Plumbing.

If you know your learning style relies more on personal instruction, the traditional in-person classes and accredited programs listed above are fairly accessible throughout the state.

Level of difficulty

Plumbing programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the plumbing trade in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. Curriculum includes an understanding of mathematics and physics. 

Plumbers must learn a lot of different things to be successful, including: how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair plumbing systems (including water heaters); troubleshoot issues at residences or commercial properties; execute on remodels or new installations that involve running all water, gas and sewage lines; know how and when to use different material pipes and how to fit them together properly; understand the plumbing code; and keep accurate records of work performed. 

School Comparison: At a Glance

Let’s take a look at plumbing trade schools in Colorado:

Red Rocks Community College

• Offers a Plumbing Service Certificate

Emily Griffith Technical College 

• Offers a Plumber Registered Apprenticeship

Western States College of Construction 

• Offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship

• Offers a Pipefitting Apprenticeship

Construction Industry Training Council

• Offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship

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:

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, 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.

Plumbing Career Requirements in Colorado

To become a plumber in Colorado, you must first secure an apprenticeship and register with the State Plumbing Board. Post-apprenticeship, there are three levels of licensure for plumbing in Colorado:

• Residential plumber: Requires two years (3,400 hours) of experience.

• Journeyman plumber: Requires four years (6,800 hours) of experience.

• Master plumber: Requires five years (8,500 hours) of experience.

For each level, you must pass a licensing exam. 

Plumber licenses must be renewed every odd year, which requires eight hours of continuing education credits.

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

Salaries for Plumbers in Colorado

Before paying for technical education and getting started in the plumbing field, you’ll want some idea of what you can expect in terms of the return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as a plumbing professional in Colorado?

Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in Colorado for 2024 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $49,300

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $59,600

• Senior 4-6 years: $64,300

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

Industry Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship—or working under the supervision of a licensed plumber—is required to become a licensed plumber in Colorado. To meet apprenticeship requirements, you must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years of age. 

Apprenticeship Colorado offers a Colorado Apprenticeship Resource Directory for job seekers. Current options include:

• Colorado Springs Plumbers/Pipefitters JATC Local 58

• Plumbers Local Union 3

• Western Slope Plumbers And Pipefitters Joint Apprenticeship And Journeyman

• Foster Plumbing

Other School Options

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

• Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska

• Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Nebraska

• Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah