Colorado State Patrol Cadet

The Blue Line; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 77,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State Patrol seeks Cadets for a 24–26 week training academy. Cadets learn law enforcement basics, then progress toward becoming Troopers who patrol Colorado highways and protect lives and property. The role requires commitment to the academy and readiness for a 24/7 statewide mission.

Eligibility includes HS Diploma or GED and being at least 21 at academy start. Cadets may face variable shifts and need readiness for intensive physical training and sustained discipline.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or GED required.
• Must be 21 years of age at the start of the Academy.
• Cadets attend a 24–26 week training academy and may progress to Trooper.

Responsibilities

• Learn arrest laws, rights, and basic criminal investigation techniques.
• Learn agency policies, report writing, and court testimony.
• Develop emergency response skills, decision‑making under stress, and use of force basics.
• Gain technical training on patrol vehicles, firearms, and related equipment.

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Job description

Colorado State Patrol

Contact Information

Address

Colorado State Patrol

700 Kipling Street

Lakewood, CO 80125

Website

• csp.colorado.gov

Phone

• 303-239-5864

Email

• [e-mail]

Position Information

Application Deadline

• 12/13/26

Salary

• $86,064

Upon graduation from the academy, Cadets become Troopers with a pay rate of $8,046 monthly.

Sworn

• 800

Population

• 6,012,561

Position Details

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.

Education

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 Cadets will attend a 24 - 26-week training Academy. The Trooper 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 decisions that may include taking immediate action with limited opportunity to consider 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 who patrols highways and ensures public safety by enforcing all state and federal laws pertaining to the traffic network.
• A cadet will also train to analyze trends and statistics to determine the appropriate enforcement process to accomplish task goals.
• A Colorado State Patrol Cadet attends the prescribed training academy and must successfully complete every course. This announcement will fill the Academy class commencing July 12, 2027.
• A new cadet will immediately begin duties & demonstrate responsibility for his/her conduct as part of a safe, positive work environment, maintain moderate fitness levels, and act as a student in various environments (i.e., classroom, firearms training, fitness, driving track, outdoor training).

Key Responsibilities

Arrest Authority Training

• The Cadet position receives instruction in interpreting and applying Colorado state laws and statutes, laws of arrest, citizens' rights, and basic criminal investigation processes and techniques, including law enforcement ethics, witness interviews, and evidence collection.

Communication Training

• The Cadet position receives instruction on the interpretation and application of the agency's key policies, positions and strategies while interpreting and applying policy and procedures to the public in an operational capacity. Cadets receive instruction on interpreting the philosophies and programs implemented by the agency, and on effective report writing and speaking. The Cadet position also receives instruction on serving as a witness in court testimony and providing accurate, complete and truthful statements.

Emergency Response Training

• The Cadet position receives instruction to perform independently and to recognize immediate problems. A Cadet must make responsible decisions and take the appropriate corrective action without the benefit of close supervision. Training will include participation in simulated instruction in situations that are often stressful or dangerous. The Cadet position receives instruction and interpretation in evidence collection, participates in firearms training and physical methods of arrest training, and participates in emergency vehicle operations training, including pursuit, defensive driving, and emergency driving. The Cadet position receives instruction in enforcement psychology, enforcement tactics, and crowd control tactics, recognizing and respecting the complexities of cultural diversity, radio communications, and basic medical response techniques. The Cadet position also participates in a physical training program.

Technical Expertise/Training

• The Cadet position receives instruction in necessary technical expertise, including but not limited to: use of patrol vehicles, firearms, use of force, arrest control, physical fitness, use of assigned equipment, crash investigations, officer safety skills, decision-making skills, and current technology. Instruction is provided on how and when to effectively use lethal and less lethal weapons, arrest control tactics and tools.

Cadets must attend all assigned training and acquire all required certifications prescribed by agency written directives and Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) standards.

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)