Colorado POST Requirements
Fast Facts
- Minimum age: At least 21 years of age (some agencies allow 20 with approval).
- Education: High school diploma or GED required; some agencies require college credits.
- Academy hours (minimum): 600
- Reciprocity: Colorado allows for certification of out-of-state, federal, or military officers via a waiver/equivalency process if prior training and service meet certain standards.
Minimum Requirements
- Age: At least 21 years of age (some agencies allow 20 with approval).
- Education: High school diploma or GED required; some agencies require college credits.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen.
- Driver license: Valid Colorado driver’s license required by hire date.
- Criminal history: No felony convictions; no disqualifying misdemeanors; must meet Colorado POST Commission standards.
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Other requirements:
- Pass background investigation and fingerprinting.
- Pass medical examination and psychological evaluation.
- Pass drug screening.
- Successfully complete a POST-certified basic training academy and pass the state peace-officer exam.
Physical Fitness Standards
Colorado requires physical fitness testing for law enforcement applicants; individual academies publish numeric standards.
- 1.5-mile run or equivalent aerobic test.
- Push-ups in one minute.
- Sit-ups in one minute.
- Agility/obstacle course simulating law-enforcement job tasks.
Applicants must pass the academy’s physical ability test and maintain fitness standards throughout training.
Academy Training Requirements
Minimum academy hours: 600
Colorado basic law enforcement training academies typically run about 600 hours of instruction as set by Colorado POST requirements.
Reference: Colorado POST Commission – Basic Training Requirements.
Reciprocity / Lateral Entry
Colorado allows for certification of out-of-state, federal, or military officers via a waiver/equivalency process if prior training and service meet certain standards.
- Submit previous academy training and service records to Colorado POST Commission.
- Complete any required Colorado–specific legal or skills training.
- Pass Colorado licensing exam and meet all selection and fitness standards.
Eligibility and credit depend on state review of prior training.
POST Contact Information
Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission
700 Kipling St., Suite 1000, Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: (303) 239-4650
Website:
https://cdps.colorado.gov/post
Official POST Requirements:
https://cdps.colorado.gov/post/basic-training-requirements