Go to Page Section:
- How to Become a Private Investigator in Colorado
- Private Investigator Schools in Colorado
- 1 Ashworth College
- 2 Penn Foster
- 3 Police Science Institute
- 4 The National Investigative Training Academy
- Schools Summary Table
- Private Investigator Salary in Colorado
- Find Private Investigator Career Guides by State
- Frequently Asked Questions
Private investigation is an intriguing, rewarding, and exciting career that demands unique qualifications and skills.
Private investigators (PIs) in Colorado spend their time gathering evidence to solve puzzles across a range of industries and areas of the law.
Some days consist of old-fashioned gumshoe detective work, like a long night of surveillance or reviewing police reports, and others involve following cyber breadcrumbs on social media and other digital systems.
Becoming a PI is not as simple as you may think.
There are a series of steps that lead to licensure to allow you to work in Colorado.
Keep reading to learn more!
How to Become a Private Investigator in Colorado
To become a PI, follow these steps:
Step One: Gain the Required Education
If you’re looking to start a career as a PI, it’s important to earn a degree in criminal justice or a related field to understand the context of U.S. law and the investigative process.
Although a bachelor’s degree is not required, it can help you hone your skills and knowledge to ensure legal compliance while still maximizing your investigatory experience.
Step Two: Pass the Colorado Jurisprudence Examination
All applicants are required to complete the Colorado Private Investigator Jurisprudence exam, which is only offered online.
Exam instructions and preparation materials are available online before the application deadline.
Earning a degree will greatly assist with passing the exam since the educational curriculum aligns with the examination questions.
If an applicant does not pass the exam on the first attempt, they must wait five days before retaking it.
Step Three: Apply for a PI License
Once the candidate passes the exam, they will receive a Passing Results Report, which must be signed and provided with the online licensure application.
All applicants must hold or agree to a surety bond of $10,000 or more.
To be eligible to submit an online application, the candidate must include the following:
- Jurisprudence Exam Passing Results Report
- License application fee of $330
- Surety affidavit
Step Four: Find a Job in the Field
After all educational, experiential, and licensure requirements are met, PIs can start a business in the industry or work for an established firm.
Those who start a business must select a name, develop a business plan and website, market their company, and find clients.
Most have success with specializing in specific services like insurance investigations, accident reconstructions, public records, searches, social media, or skip-tracing.
The two highest-demand specialties are computer forensics and legal investigations.
Computer forensics specialists search for legal evidence in digital storage media, across networks, and on computers.
This area is in such high demand because computer forensics evidence is being used more frequently in civil and criminal court cases.
Legal investigators help attorneys with preparing litigation cases by uncovering facts like who is responsible in a personal injury case.
An educational background in law is helpful when specializing in this field.
Those who choose to work for an established company don’t have the burden of starting a business, marketing, finding clients, and growing the company.
However, they don’t have the flexibility of being an entrepreneur or a long-term salary.
There are pros and cons to each, which must be weighed before deciding.
Step Five: Maintain Your License
The final step is to ensure your license remains in good standing.
Colorado PIs are required to renew their license on May 31st each year.
If the license was issued within 120 days of May 31st, then renewal isn’t required until the following year.
Unlike other states, Colorado doesn’t require continuing education for licensed PIs.
However, it is a good idea to attend conferences, join professional organizations, and take additional classes in the field to expand your knowledge and remain updated on the latest laws and trends.
Private Investigator Schools in Colorado
Although Colorado doesn’t have private investigator-specific schools, programs are available online.
Also, many PIs earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice to satisfy the educational requirement and gain experience.
Program: Private Investigator Career Diploma
Program Details:- Study at your own pace, anytime with 24/7 access
- Flexible, affordable tuition with personalized payment options
- Accredited both regionally and nationally
- Support from experienced instructors every step of the way
1 Ashworth College
Located in Norcross, Georgia, Ashworth College features an online PI diploma program that can be completed in only four months.
The self-paced program teaches students the practical and fundamental skills needed to work in an entry-level PI position, with a heavy focus on specialized investigations for individuals, law enforcement, and insurance companies.
The program costs between $799 and $1,200, with an alumni discount available.
Contact Information
- Address: 5051 Peachtree Corners Cir Suite 200, Norcross, GA 30092, USA
- Phone: +1 800-957-5412
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Penn Foster
Penn Foster has an online private investigator training program that prepares students to work as PIs in legal offices, for insurance companies, and in corporate environments.
Penn Foster’s PI program teaches students various essential skills like evidence collection and surveillance techniques, as well as information about homeland security, the Justice System, and U.S. laws.
Students typically complete the self-paced program in six months, but a two-month fast-track option is available.
The program ranges from $999 to $1,100 with payment plans available.
Contact Information
- Address: 200 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA 18505 USA
- Phone: 570-961-4033
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Police Science Institute
The Police Institute is one of the highest-rated online PI training programs in the U.S.
The Investigative and Police Sciences program is comprised of a comprehensive digital training platform taught by active and retired Investigative Specialists.
Students learn the basics of conducting civil and criminal private investigation duties for government, businesses, individuals, and other organizations.
Those who complete the program are awarded a Certificate of Achievement.
The program is self-paced, and the cost is $995, including all fees and materials.
Contact Information
- Address: 5133 N Gates Ave #102, Fresno, CA 93722, United States
- Phone: +1 559-276-9800
- Website: Visit School Website
4 The National Investigative Training Academy
NITA offers Colorado-approved online continuing education and basic training programs for active and aspiring PIs.
The program consists of 40 hours of self-paced digital courses that cover PERC Licensing, use of force, testimony, courtroom preparation, conducting a successful interview, and report writing.
The program costs around $100 with all fees and materials included.
Contact Information
- Address: 250 International Pkwy Suite 134, Lake Mary, FL 32746, United States
- Phone: +1 800-730-6482
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ashworth College |
| #2 | Penn Foster |
| #3 | Police Science Institute |
| #4 | The National Investigative Training Academy |
Private Investigator Salary in Colorado
The median annual income for a PI in Colorado is $53,000, with pay ranging from $42,800 to $61,000.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$43K |
|
$53.2K |
|
$64.3K |
Average Salary in Colorado
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Arvada | $53,102 |
| Denver | $53,102 |
| Pueblo | $50,502 |
| Aurora | $53,102 |
| Fort Collins | $51,702 |
| Boulder | $54,702 |
| Westminster | $53,102 |
| Broomfield | $53,802 |
| Jefferson | $53,102 |
| Loveland | $51,602 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 410 | $61,990 | $29.8 | $90,580 | $40,710 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 40 | $51,250 | $24.64 | $69,190 | $38,060 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Find Private Investigator Career Guides by State
- AL Alabama
- AK Alaska
- AZ Arizona
- AR Arkansas
- CA California
- CO Colorado
- CT Connecticut
- DE Delaware
- FL Florida
- GA Georgia
- HI Hawaii
- ID Idaho
- IL Illinois
- IN Indiana
- IA Iowa
- KS Kansas
- KY Kentucky
- LA Louisiana
- ME Maine
- MD Maryland
- MA Massachusetts
- MI Michigan
- MN Minnesota
- MS Mississippi
- MO Missouri
- MT Montana
- NE Nebraska
- NV Nevada
- NH New Hampshire
- NJ New Jersey
- NM New Mexico
- NY New York
- NC North Carolina
- ND North Dakota
- OH Ohio
- OK Oklahoma
- OR Oregon
- PA Pennsylvania
- RI Rhode Island
- SC South Carolina
- SD South Dakota
- TN Tennessee
- TX Texas
- UT Utah
- VT Vermont
- VA Virginia
- WA Washington
- WV West Virginia
- WI Wisconsin
- WY Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be tech-savvy to become a PI in Colorado?
To enter the investigations field, you must now be tech-savvy, conducting research online as well as in person.
Social media has drastically changed the investigative field with suspects offering snippets of their lives.
Many have been caught posting water skiing pictures after filing a workers’ comp claim for an injury.
The Denver DA’s Office recently hired a PI to catch violators of the 2013 Colorado Red Flag Law banning domestic violence offenders from having firearms.
This PI listens to 9-1-1 calls, reviews suspected offenders’ social media posts for signs they have firearms, and scans police reports.
As a result, this PI has caught many offenders possessing firearms due to their social media posts.
What private investigators' professional organizations are available in Colorado?
The main organization is the Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (PPIAC), which holds an annual conference and regular meetings.
PPIAC is a fantastic opportunity to refine your trade through seminars and workshops, learn about the latest in the field, and network with other investigators.
Based in Denver, the Colorado Society of Private Investigators focuses on professional standards, education, and ethics within the field.
The organization meets regularly in Denver and typically has an educational speaker at each meeting.
To learn more about meeting dates, times, and the presenters, call 303-296-2200.
What technology and tools does a PI in Colorado use?
Given the amount of information that can be gathered via digital means, PIs have access to various advanced technologies like computer forensics software, hidden cameras, and GPS tracking devices.
PIs also heavily rely on traditional resources like recording devices, cameras, and binoculars to gather evidence for a case.
Leave a Reply