Thomas Reed, RN
June 2, 2025
The healthcare system of Colorado heavily depends on licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who deliver essential care to rural and underserved population areas. The state’s combination of urban Denver and distant mountain towns requires LPNs to connect patients with medical teams through their frontline care work at facilities that include long-term care facilities and outpatient clinics.
Trinidad, CO - Public 4-Year - trinidadstate.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Trinidad State College's Practical Nursing program is offered at both Trinidad and Alamosa campuses, featuring flexible scheduling with traditional and evening/weekend classes. A unique aspect is the Practical Nurse exit option after a short summer course, enabling students to prepare for the Practical Nursing boards. The curriculum focuses on delivering safe, quality, evidence-based, and patient-centered care to diverse populations, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for healthcare roles. As a military-friendly institution, it provides accessible admission details online, emphasizing a supportive and comprehensive educational experience without requiring entrance exams for this program.
Grand Junction, CO - Public 4-Year - coloradomesa.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Colorado Mesa University offers a campus-based Practical Nursing Technical Certificate program designed to prepare students for LPN licensure. With a March 1 application deadline and classes running from August to May, it emphasizes direct patient care and evidence-based practice in healthcare settings. Admission requires college-level reading and writing skills, and the program boasts a high NCLEX pass rate and strong job placement outcomes. Tuition details are available online, and it is military-friendly. No entrance exams are mentioned for this certificate-level program.
Westminster, CO - Public 4-Year - frontrange.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Front Range Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate program at the Larimer Campus is a three-semester, campus-based course that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam. It emphasizes hands-on training in modern labs and clinical settings, with a high pass rate and competitive admission process, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for LPN roles in Colorado.
Littleton, CO - Public 4-Year - arapahoe.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Arapahoe Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate program is a 47-credit hour campus-based option that readies students for the NCLEX-PN exam and a career as an LPN. It emphasizes hands-on learning in medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, and maternal-child care, requiring a 3.0 GPA in prerequisites and admission to the AAS-Nursing program. This pathway offers a solid foundation in clinical skills and patient care, making it ideal for those seeking an alternative route into nursing.
Lamar, CO - Public 2-Year - lamarcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Lamar Community College's Practical Nursing Option (PN) prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam and licensure through hands-on clinical training and a comprehensive curriculum. Approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing, this campus-based program emphasizes patient care skills and requires prerequisite coursework and a minimum GPA for admission, with a competitive selection process. Financial aid may be available to eligible students.
The majority of LPN programs in Colorado maintain traditional in-person instruction because of the practical nature of the training, yet some flexible learning options exist. A few colleges now provide hybrid learning programs that let students finish their online didactic classes while participating in hands-on lab sessions and clinical practice at their campus locations. The state of Colorado does not offer fully online LPN programs because clinical experience requires direct supervision and must take place in approved facilities. The increasing demand for remote education has motivated institutions to expand their hybrid program options annually.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Trinidad State College |
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| Colorado Mesa University |
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| Concorde Career College-Aurora |
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| Certifying Board | Colorado State Board of Nursing, Division of Professions and Occupations |
|---|---|
| Certification | National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) via Pearson VUE |
| Educational Prerequisite | Graduation from a Colorado Board-approved practical nursing program with official transcripts and program verification |
| Application & Background Check | $88 application fee, $200 NCLEX exam fee, plus $51 fingerprint processing fee, submit Social Security Number (or SSN affidavit) and FD-258 fingerprint card for state and FBI checks |
| Application Processing Time | Approximately 8 weeks from receipt of all required documents |
| License Renewal Period | Biennial renewal every August 31 of even-numbered years with a $108 renewal fee |
| Continuing Competency | No specific contact hours required for renewal, but maintain active practice and comply with Compact requirements |
| Licensure by Endorsement | Out-of-state LPNs submit a $43 endorsement application fee, $30 license verification fee, Nursys verification, fingerprint/background check, proof of an unrestricted license, and declaration of primary residence |
LPNs working in Colorado State receive good pay and have a strong job market. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that LPNs in Colorado earn an average annual salary of $59,000, with the highest salaries found in Denver and Boulder. The compensation for LPNs depends on their work environment because skilled nursing facilities, private practices, and home healthcare agencies provide distinct payment systems. The rural areas of Colorado State require the most healthcare staff, which creates excellent employment prospects for graduates who want to work in less populated regions.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Colorado | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual LVN Salary | $58,600 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $28.00 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$65,491 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $58,600 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$52,825 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~12.5% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~30,000 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Lamar Community College |
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| Colorado Mesa University |
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| Concorde Career College-Aurora |
| - |
The path to becoming an LPN creates a valuable career milestone but provides opportunities to progress further in nursing practice. LPNs who wish to advance their education can enroll in LPN-to-RN bridge programs, which multiple Colorado institutions provide. The programs accept previous practical nursing experience to provide a faster path for registered nursing role transition. The nursing profession offers leadership positions through supervisory roles in long-term care and charge nurse positions, and continuing education is strongly recommended for those who want to maintain current best practices in patient care. LPNs in Colorado have direct access to multiple career advancement opportunities that lead to clinical or administrative roles.
Additional Nursing Programs in Colorado
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