Colorado State Patrol Cadet

Colorado State Patrol Cadet

Applications will be accepted from residents and non-residents of Colorado. Applications must be received by 5PM on 06/13/2026 - no exceptions!

Our mission - engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.

Our vision - creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.

Our core values - unity, honor, service.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is dedicated to non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

At CDPS, our culture is driven by our commitment to creating a safer Colorado and guided by a public service focus. We strive to provide effective solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans. We model a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth for our employees. We maintain a professional and inclusive workplace.

Careers with a purpose:

If you are passionate about public safety and public service and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, consider joining CDPS. Our team at CDPS consists of exceptional individuals and is an environment where you can challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.

We are committed to providing public safety services to our communities including safety on our roads, preparing for and mitigating environmental disasters such as floods and wildland fires, disaster recovery, combating crime, promoting school safety, and victim services.

Classification and salary: State Patrol Cadet. Anticipated hiring range: $6,754/month; $81,048/year. Full salary range: $6,754 - $7,429/month; $81,048 - $89,148/year. Benefits include medical and dental options, short and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellness program, discounts, medical leave, flexible work arrangements, retirement benefits, time off, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and credit union membership eligibility.

Description of Job

About the Division:

The mission of the Colorado State Patrol: By adhering to our core values, we provide modern policing services for all persons to protect life, peace, and property throughout Colorado.

The vision of the Colorado State Patrol: To create a safer Colorado through strategic innovation led by an engaged and empowered membership that provides visible service.

Through high visibility, strict enforcement, maximum resource deployment, and community education, the CSP promotes safety, protects lives, and preserves state highways using the programs described below:

• Traffic Safety - enforces motor vehicle and all other Colorado laws on 8,400 miles of highway and 57,000 miles of county roads, including selective enforcement actions, saturation patrols, crash investigations, and educational safety programs.
• Communications - provides a professional communications system for members of the Patrol, other state, local, and federal agencies, and Colorado residents.
• Criminal Interdiction and Automobile Theft - proactively investigates motor vehicle theft and related offenses, inspects Vehicle Identification Numbers, interdicts illegal drugs, and gathers intelligence to support state and national homeland security efforts.
• Hazardous Materials Enforcement - enforces permitting and routing rules, develops safe transportation rules and regulations, and provides timely response and mitigation for hazardous materials events on-roadways.
• Executive and Capitol Security - provides 24-hour security at the State Capitol and Capitol Complex, and security for the Governor, First Family, visiting dignitaries, and public demonstrations.
• Smuggling and Trafficking Interdiction Section - enforces the state's human smuggling and human trafficking laws on Colorado roadways.
• Port of Entry and Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program - collaborates with industry to support safe transport of materials on commercial motor carriers in Colorado.
• Aircraft Program - supports traffic enforcement activities and transports state officials and employees.
• Victims Assistance - provides direct services to victims of highway traffic crimes in accordance with the Victim Rights Act.

Work environment: 100% in-person position. This role supports a 24/7 statewide law enforcement mission. Work hours vary and may include extended shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency callouts depending on staffing and incident demands.

Description of job: This position serves in a training and learning capacity, receiving instruction on basic law enforcement services in accordance with the mission, goals and objectives of the Colorado State Patrol and in compliance with governing federal and state laws. The position will learn and demonstrate the ability to exercise extensive independent judgment in making decisions, that may include taking immediate actions with limited opportunity to consider various alternatives. Cadets must successfully complete all academy courses, including academic classes, physical training, vehicle operations, weapon qualification(s) and use of force to move to the classification of Trooper, within the prescribed training period. This position will work under the direction of the Major and Commander of the State Patrol Academy and the qualified/uniformed & civilian/certified training staff. A State Patrol Cadet trains to become a fully functional State Trooper to patrol highways ensuring public safety by enforcing all state and federal laws pertaining to the traffic network. A cadet will also train to analyze trends and statistics in order to determine the appropriate enforcement process to be used in accomplishing task goals. A Colorado State Patrol Cadet attends the prescribed training academy and must successfully complete every course. This announcement will be filling the Academy class commencing January 11, 2027. A new cadet will immediately commence to the duties & demonstrate responsibility for his/her conduct, as being part of a safe and positive work environment, for sustaining moderate fitness levels, and as a student while in various environments (i.e., classroom, firearms training, fitness, driving track, outdoor training). You can find out more about the Academy and Cadet training by clicking here.

Key responsibilities:

• Arrest Authority Training
• Communication Training
• Emergency Response Training
• Technical Expertise/Training

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Note, to be considered for this position, you must meet the following options for consideration:

• HS Diploma or GED (minimum qualification)
• Must be 21 years of age at the start of the Academy (special qualification)

Disqualifiers: Only applications meeting strict criteria will be moving through in the process. There are specific disqualifiers which may be grounds for your removal from the application process. These disqualifiers are presented in the Supplemental Questions provided in this application.

Effective December 2020, the Colorado State Patrol Appearance/Tattoo Policy is as follows:

• Any body marking that is found to be vulgar, obscene, sexually explicit, gang related, prejudicial or which may otherwise bring discredit on the State Patrol or police profession, is prohibited.
• Body markings on or above the collar bone are prohibited.
• Body markings on or below the wrist bone are prohibited. Members are permitted to have one band, no greater than 8mm wide on one finger.
• Full Colorado State Patrol Personal Appearance policy (Download PDF reader).
• The Colorado State Patrol Tattoo Policy is effective upon the date of application.

Preferred qualifications and competencies:

• Previous law enforcement-related experience preferred, not required
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and consistent decision-making under pressure
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in changing situations
• Ability to work effectively with others and build positive working relationships in a team environment
• Strong command presence when required

Conditions of employment:

• Ability to successfully complete a background investigation, polygraph, pre-employment physical examination, psychological evaluation, and drug test.
• The background investigation is based on the following criteria, including, but not limited to: driving history, criminal behavior/history, alcohol use/behavior, drug use/behavior and integrity. If you omit any material fact on your application/testing materials, whether intentional or unintentional, you will be disqualified. If any disqualifying information is discovered at any stage of the selection process, you will be removed from consideration for the position;
• Vision must be unimpaired or correctable to 20/20 and must possess normal color vision, depth perception, night vision, near acuity, far acuity,

Colorado State Patrol Cadet

Applications will be accepted from residents and non-residents of Colorado. Applications must be received by 5PM on 06/13/2026 - no exceptions!

Our mission - engaged employees working together to safeguard lives and to provide diverse public safety services to local communities.

Our vision - creating safer and more resilient communities across Colorado.

Our core values - unity, honor, service.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is dedicated to non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

At CDPS, our culture is driven by our commitment to creating a safer Colorado and guided by a public service focus. We strive to provide effective solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans. We model a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth for our employees. We maintain a professional and inclusive workplace.

Careers with a purpose:

If you are passionate about public safety and public service and are eager to dedicate your career to serving Coloradans, consider joining CDPS. Our team at CDPS consists of exceptional individuals and is an environment where you can challenge yourself and acquire new capabilities to build a rewarding and fulfilling career.

We are committed to providing public safety services to our communities including safety on our roads, preparing for and mitigating environmental disasters such as floods and wildland fires, disaster recovery, combating crime, promoting school safety, and victim services.

Classification and salary: State Patrol Cadet. Anticipated hiring range: $6,754/month; $81,048/year. Full salary range: $6,754 - $7,429/month; $81,048 - $89,148/year. Benefits include medical and dental options, short and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellness program, discounts, medical leave, flexible work arrangements, retirement benefits, time off, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and credit union membership eligibility.

Description of Job

About the Division:

The mission of the Colorado State Patrol: By adhering to our core values, we provide modern policing services for all persons to protect life, peace, and property throughout Colorado.

The vision of the Colorado State Patrol: To create a safer Colorado through strategic innovation led by an engaged and empowered membership that provides visible service.

Through high visibility, strict enforcement, maximum resource deployment, and community education, the CSP promotes safety, protects lives, and preserves state highways using the programs described below:

• Traffic Safety - enforces motor vehicle and all other Colorado laws on 8,400 miles of highway and 57,000 miles of county roads, including selective enforcement actions, saturation patrols, crash investigations, and educational safety programs.
• Communications - provides a professional communications system for members of the Patrol, other state, local, and federal agencies, and Colorado residents.
• Criminal Interdiction and Automobile Theft - proactively investigates motor vehicle theft and related offenses, inspects Vehicle Identification Numbers, interdicts illegal drugs, and gathers intelligence to support state and national homeland security efforts.
• Hazardous Materials Enforcement - enforces permitting and routing rules, develops safe transportation rules and regulations, and provides timely response and mitigation for hazardous materials events on-roadways.
• Executive and Capitol Security - provides 24-hour security at the State Capitol and Capitol Complex, and security for the Governor, First Family, visiting dignitaries, and public demonstrations.
• Smuggling and Trafficking Interdiction Section - enforces the state's human smuggling and human trafficking laws on Colorado roadways.
• Port of Entry and Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program - collaborates with industry to support safe transport of materials on commercial motor carriers in Colorado.
• Aircraft Program - supports traffic enforcement activities and transports state officials and employees.
• Victims Assistance - provides direct services to victims of highway traffic crimes in accordance with the Victim Rights Act.

Work environment: 100% in-person position. This role supports a 24/7 statewide law enforcement mission. Work hours vary and may include extended shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency callouts depending on staffing and incident demands.

Description of job: This position serves in a training and learning capacity, receiving instruction on basic law enforcement services in accordance with the mission, goals and objectives of the Colorado State Patrol and in compliance with governing federal and state laws. The position will learn and demonstrate the ability to exercise extensive independent judgment in making decisions, that may include taking immediate actions with limited opportunity to consider various alternatives. Cadets must successfully complete all academy courses, including academic classes, physical training, vehicle operations, weapon qualification(s) and use of force to move to the classification of Trooper, within the prescribed training period. This position will work under the direction of the Major and Commander of the State Patrol Academy and the qualified/uniformed & civilian/certified training staff. A State Patrol Cadet trains to become a fully functional State Trooper to patrol highways ensuring public safety by enforcing all state and federal laws pertaining to the traffic network. A cadet will also train to analyze trends and statistics in order to determine the appropriate enforcement process to be used in accomplishing task goals. A Colorado State Patrol Cadet attends the prescribed training academy and must successfully complete every course. This announcement will be filling the Academy class commencing January 11, 2027. A new cadet will immediately commence to the duties & demonstrate responsibility for his/her conduct, as being part of a safe and positive work environment, for sustaining moderate fitness levels, and as a student while in various environments (i.e., classroom, firearms training, fitness, driving track, outdoor training). You can find out more about the Academy and Cadet training by clicking here.

Key responsibilities:

• Arrest Authority Training
• Communication Training
• Emergency Response Training
• Technical Expertise/Training

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Note, to be considered for this position, you must meet the following options for consideration:

• HS Diploma or GED (minimum qualification)
• Must be 21 years of age at the start of the Academy (special qualification)

Disqualifiers: Only applications meeting strict criteria will be moving through in the process. There are specific disqualifiers which may be grounds for your removal from the application process. These disqualifiers are presented in the Supplemental Questions provided in this application.

Effective December 2020, the Colorado State Patrol Appearance/Tattoo Policy is as follows:

• Any body marking that is found to be vulgar, obscene, sexually explicit, gang related, prejudicial or which may otherwise bring discredit on the State Patrol or police profession, is prohibited.
• Body markings on or above the collar bone are prohibited.
• Body markings on or below the wrist bone are prohibited. Members are permitted to have one band, no greater than 8mm wide on one finger.
• Full Colorado State Patrol Personal Appearance policy (Download PDF reader).
• The Colorado State Patrol Tattoo Policy is effective upon the date of application.

Preferred qualifications and competencies:

• Previous law enforcement-related experience preferred, not required
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and consistent decision-making under pressure
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in changing situations
• Ability to work effectively with others and build positive working relationships in a team environment
• Strong command presence when required

Conditions of employment:

• Ability to successfully complete a background investigation, polygraph, pre-employment physical examination, psychological evaluation, and drug test.
• The background investigation is based on the following criteria, including, but not limited to: driving history, criminal behavior/history, alcohol use/behavior, drug use/behavior and integrity. If you omit any material fact on your application/testing materials, whether intentional or unintentional, you will be disqualified. If any disqualifying information is discovered at any stage of the selection process, you will be removed from consideration for the position;
• Vision must be unimpaired or correctable to 20/20 and must possess normal color vision, depth perception, night vision, near acuity, far acuity,

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