Commercial Driver’s Licence (CDL) training in Colorado opens doors in the trucking industry across North America. The average truck driver’s salary is more than $60,000 a year, and CDL can be completed in as little as three weeks, making it a quick career path to a stable income.
Here we cover the best schools, programs, and employers to launch a career as a commercial truck driver from Colorado. You’ll find everything you need to know about CDL training in Colorado, from the best schools to which companies offer the best job opportunities.
Quicklook: Best CDL Training Schools in Colorado
- Sage Truck Driving School
- Springs Truck Driving School
- United States Truck Driving School
- Northern Colorado Truck Driving Academy
- Careers World Wide CDL Driving School
5 Best CDL Training Programs in Colorado
CDL training in Colorado offers industry-standard training to prepare students as professional truck drivers in as little as three weeks. Here are the best CDL training programs in Colorado to start a new career.
Sage Truck Driving School
With locations in Henderson and Grand Junction, Sage Truck Driving School offers comprehensive truck driver training to acquire CDL A or B. They pride themselves on preparing graduates for some of the highest-paid truck driving jobs in Colorado. They offer the greatest level of hands-on student driving time, making them an industry leader.
Cost: Average cost is $4,500
Program Length: Four to five weeks
Financial Assistance: Financial aid is offered through a variety of workforce training grants, scholarships and student loans based on qualifications.
Tuition Reimbursement: There is no tuition reimbursement available.
Class Size: Average class size of 25 students, with one-to-one training program while driving a truck.
Job Placement: Sage Trucking has a program with local and national trucking companies that hire their students upon graduation.
Online Course: Online CDL training is available to learn all the Federal ELDT theory training topics before the practical training.
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C
Springs Truck Driving School
Springs Truck Driving School offers basic theoretical knowledge and practical skills of over-the-road driving. They strive to teach beyond the basics to make each graduate a top candidate in the field.
Cost: $5000, with costs ranging from $3500 to $7000.
Program Length: 17 to 21 days, or 3 to 4 weeks to complete.
Financial Assistance: In-house financing is available for those who qualify. This school also assists in grants and scholarship funding.
Tuition Reimbursement: Most of the companies that work with this school offer up to 100% tuition reimbursement. The reimbursement is given in a series of monthly payments.
Class Size: Small class sizes, with less than 25 students in an average class.
Job Placement: Springs Truck Driving School offers local job placement assistance, and also training in essential skills for successful job applications.
Online Course: In-person only
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C
United States Truck Driving School
Specialized in heavy-duty truck training courses, United States Truck Driving School with locations in Wheatridge and Fountain, close to Denver and Colorado Springs, offers all types of CDL training, certification, refresher training, and permit prep courses.
Cost: $4000
Program Length: Four weeks
Financial Assistance: U.S. Truck Driving School offers a variety of finance options via different state agencies.
Tuition Reimbursement: There are tuition reimbursement options with a number of trucking companies, who will reimburse as much as 100% of tuition, up to $7,500 total.
Class Size: Average number of students in the classroom is 26, with one to three students in the truck cab for driving training.
Job Placement: U.S. Truck Driving School offers job placement through its employment partnerships with many large truck companies and small local trucking companies. They work to help you to make an easy career transition through all phases of CDL training.
Online Course: In-person only
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C
Northern Colorado Truck Driving Academy
Based in Fort Collins, CO, the Northern Colorado Truck Driving Academy has been providing professional CDL testing and training for more than 20 years. They boast a 98% success rate with graduates earning average annual salaries of $70,000 to $90,000.
Cost: $4,795 for a standard CDL training program.
Program Length: Three weeks
Financial Assistance: Financial assistance may be available through Workforce or Employment Service for those who qualify.
Tuition Reimbursement: No tuition reimbursement program
Class Size: Small classes of under 20 students with one-to-one driving training.
Job Placement: Northern Colorado Truck Driving Academy helps students secure local and OTR jobs available upon graduation.
Online Course: In-person only
CDL Licenses:
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C
Careers World Wide CDL Driving School
Careers World Wide is a premier Denver-area CDL driving school that provides instruction, classes, and testing to obtain a CDL license. Financial assistance and scholarships are available, with most students completing the course in three weeks or less.
Cost: $5000
Program Length: Three weeks
Financial Assistance: Careers World Wide’s CDL program offers financial aid via Workforce Investment Act (WIA) grants.
Tuition Reimbursement: Careers World Wide works with several large local employers to offer tuition reimbursement programs.
Class Size: Small classes of under 26 students with one-to-one driving training.
Job Placement: Careers World Wide has a track record of placing 99% of students before they even complete the training course.
Online Course: In-person only
CDL Licenses: Class A CDL
How Does CDL Training in Colorado Work?
Commercial Driver’s License training, commonly called CDL training, is the training required to drive commercial trucks and become a professional trucker. You will learn how to handle large capacity loads, drive and maneuver a truck.
With the CDL training, you can then apply for an A, B, or C class commercial driver’s license. A class driver’s commercial driver’s license will allow you to drive almost any kind of vehicle, while B and C class commercial driver’s licenses are for lighter loads or smaller trucks.
The average annual salary for truck drivers in Colorado is $50,000, with some starting base salaries as much as $64,000.
Colorado Trucking School Facts & Figures
Colorado trucking schools cater to the individual needs of students, allowing There are trucking schools spread across Colorado, with the main concentration in the population centers of Denver, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction.
The length of the courses ranges from 2 to 24 weeks, depending on the program. The average tuition cost in the state is $5,000, with prices ranging from $1,000 to $13,000 or more, depending on the program and certification.
Number of Schools
There are more than 27 trucking schools in Colorado. The majority of these schools are located in Denver, Colorado Springs, and the trucking hub of Grand Junction.
Number of Students per Class
The average number of students per classroom for CDL training in Colorado is 25. For practical training and driving practice, there will be one to two students per truck.
Tuition Rates
The average tuition cost for trucking schools in Colorado is $5,000. However, some short, intensive programs can be as low as $1,000 depending on course length, school, and prior experience.
Average Loan Amount
The average loan amount for trucking schools in Colorado is $7,989. The amount of loans available will depend on course length, program, total cost, financial need, and also residency in the state.
Scholarship
Scholarships are available based on both merit and need for Colorado CDL training. Many employers will also offer scholarships for training. The average scholarship amount for CDL training in Colorado is $5,520.
Job Placement
CDL training schools in Colorado have job placement between 90% and 100%. Many employers recruit directly from the schools or have agreements with the schools to hire a certain percentage of each class. Some employers will also accept the applicant and then pay for their CDL training.
Colorado Trucking Employment Facts & Figures
As the gateway between the midwest and the west coast, Colorado is well-positioned to supply critical trucking jobs and opportunities. According to the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, in 2019 the trucking industry in Colorado supplied more than 120,000 jobs with an average annual salary of $50,000. There are more than 15,000 trucking companies in Colorado, making trucking employment a booming business across the state.
Employment
As of 2019, the Colorado Motor Carriers Association noted 122,680 trucking industry jobs in Colorado. The industry continues to grow as the pandemic has increased demand for products across sectors. At the time of writing, Indeed.com has more than 5,000 trucking jobs listed in Colorado.
Some of the biggest employers in Colorado include Estes Express Lines, XPO Logistics, and ABF Freight.
| Biggest Employer | Average Salary | Company Size |
| Estes Express Lines | $95,739 | More than 10,000 employees |
| XPO Logistics | $109,419 | More than 10,000 employees |
| ABF Freight | $53,462 | More than 10,000 employees |
| Western Express | $97,393 | 1001 to 5000 employee |
| Navajo Express Inc | $40,371 | 501 to 1,000 employees |
Salary
The average salary for a truck driver in Colorado is $47,000 to $50,000. That is broken down by weekly, monthly, and annual pay. Here is what you can expect to earn as a truck driver in Colorado.
Weekly: $1,041.50
Monthly: $4,166
Yearly: $50,000
CDL training Colorado to start your trucking career
The trucking industry is essential for national and global logistics and the movement of goods. Colorado CDL training is a gateway to building a successful career in the trucking industry. With average starting salaries of $50,000, and other salaries as much as $90,000, there is clear growth potential, job security, and flexible working hours, making trucking an ideal career move.
FAQ
The average tuition cost in Colorado is $5,000 for CDL training, but there are programs that cost as little as $1,500.
There are 50 questions on the CDL permit test in Colorado. To pass, you will need to get at least 80%, or 40 questions correct.
The average time for CDL training in Colorado is 3 to 4 weeks.
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