How to Become a Park Ranger in Colorado

Protect Colorado’s people, animals, public lands, and natural resources by working as a Colorado park ranger.

Learn about, protect, and promote the state’s natural history, its cultural history, and historical sites by working in this career.

Park rangers in Colorado have many options to work in areas that best meet their interests.

Learning to become a Colorado park ranger guides people who want to help protect resources and the public to choose their best career options.

Work at a park visitor center, an urban historical site, at a park known for its remote, rugged terrain, or at one known for its scenic natural beauty after completing the job requirements.

Requirements to Become a Park Ranger in Colorado

Anyone who wants to work as a park ranger in Colorado needs to meet the requirements for the job.

People who work as park rangers in Colorado must have the education and the skills that are required of park rangers.

Full-time Colorado park rangers must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Students need to have major coursework in Natural Resource Management, Park Management, Wildlife and Forestry, Law Enforcement, or a similar area.

Some other requirements for people who want to work as full-time Colorado park rangers include:

• Must have a valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Must have or be able to obtain valid and current CPR and First Aid certifications
• Must attend and complete the Colorado State Park Training
• Must have no felony convictions
• Must have good communication skills and interpersonal skills
• Must pass a drug screen, a medical screen, and a background check
• Must pass the Physical Efficiency Battery (PEB) physical fitness test
• Must have basic computer skills
• Must complete POST Certification Level One Peace Officer Training

Park rangers in Colorado may have other requirements.

One example is that Boulder, Colorado, hires park rangers who may work in medical response, search and rescue operations, law enforcement, or as wildland firefighters.

Park Ranger Duties in Colorado

Park rangers perform many duties in the parks throughout the state.

Some duties vary according to the park where rangers work, or by their employment level.

Colorado park rangers work to protect the safety of people, wildlife, and Colorado’s open spaces.

They perform patrols and enforce laws and regulations.

Some examples include enforcing laws that are related to having proper permits, camping in open spaces, and committing criminal acts.

Some other duties of park rangers include:

• Providing information and directions to park visitors
• Preparing reports
• Selling and issuing permits
• Conducting surveillance
• Responding to various incidents, such as domestic situations, assaults, and accidents
• Some other duties of Colorado park rangers include:
• Assisting in daily park operations
• Resolving visitors’ complaints
• Performing rescue operations
• Contributing to park conservation efforts
• Performing other duties to maintain the quality of outdoor and indoor spaces

Some duties depend on the career level of park rangers.

One example is that while entry-level rangers may regularly perform park patrols, journey-level or senior-level park rangers may supervise lower-level park rangers.

They may also manage a program office.

State Parks in Colorado

Colorado has more than 40 state parks.

Millions of people visit the parks each year.

Boyd Lake State Park is a paradise for people who enjoy water sports.

The Loveland, Colorado, park features opportunities for water skiing, sailing, riding personal watercraft, fishing, and other water activities.

Many people enjoy swimming or playing sand volleyball.

Enjoy the trails, camping, and hiking options.

Cheyenne Mountain State Park offers glimpses of wildlife and stunning natural beauty.

Explore the trails.

Enjoy biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

There are activities for all skill levels.

Lathrop State Park is Colorado’s first state park.

It offers more than 1,450 acres of recreational enjoyment.

Enjoy hiking, biking, archery, boating, geocaching, and many other activities.

Photographers and movie crews are among those who have marveled at the stunning beauty and unique landscape of Rifle Falls State Park.

Limestone caves, 60-foot waterfalls, and other breathtaking views attract many people to this park.

#1 Colorado State University

Consider the programs at Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University.

Some options include Forest and Rangeland Stewardship, Natural Resources Management, and Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology.

Contact Information

• Address: Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
• Phone: +1 970-491-6444
• Website: Visit School Website

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#2 Western Colorado University

Students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Western Colorado University.

They can work with faculty members to create a self-designed major that helps them become a park ranger.

Contact Information

• Address: 1 Western Way, Gunnison, CO 81231, United States
• Phone: +1 970-943-2119
• Website: Visit School Website

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#3 Colorado Northwestern Community College

Park ranger training is offered at Colorado Northwestern Community College.

The Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy is one of just six Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy Training Program (PRLEA) locations in the U.S.

The program consists of more than 700 hours of training in patrol skills, firearms training, law, control tactics, interviewing, and report writing.

Passing the physical fitness battery is mandatory to graduate from the program.

Colorado park rangers must complete the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

There are three certification levels.

Complete the Basic Level certification to become a park ranger.

Contact Information

• Address: 500 Kennedy Dr, Rangely, CO 81648, United States
• Phone: +1 800-562-1105
• Website: Visit School Website

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Schools Summary Table

	Rank	School
	#1	Colorado State University
	#2	Western Colorado University
	#3	Colorado Northwestern Community College

Park Ranger Salary in Colorado

Salary.com indicates that the national average salary for park rangers is $36,251.

Colorado park rangers earn an average of $36,987.

Many park rangers earn more than $40,000 a year.

Find Park Ranger Career Guides by State

About Chelsea Wilson Chelsea Wilson is the Community Relations Manager for Washington University School of Law’s distance learning LLM degree program, which provides foreign trained attorneys with the opportunity to earn a Master of Laws degree from a top-tier American university from anywhere in the world.