To become a surgical tech in Colorado is a straight-forward process involving college programming.
Students must apply to an accredited college and complete at least an associate degree in surgical technician or surgical technologist education.
Increase your understanding of where you can go to school in CO to become a surgical tech.
Page Navigation
Licensing Requirements to Become a Surgical Tech in Colorado
Medical professionals and college first-year students interested in surgical technician and surgical technologist training in CO have plenty of options.
Several colleges and universities, including technical schools, provide in-person on-campus training with online hybrid pathways.
To become a licensed surgical tech ready for employment, individuals need to pursue an education in the area of expertise.
Schools offer associate degree programs for surgical techs, which leads to certification programs.
The certification programs provide surgical tech graduates with a certificate showing they have passed a state-wide or nation-wide board examination on the subject of surgical technology.
The State of Colorado Secretary of State, via the Code of Colorado Regulations, has a general rule on surgical tech certification.
To be employed as a full-time surgical technologist or assistant, individuals need to be registered.
However, registration is not legally mandated.
In addition, if the individual has a separate certification for surgical assistant or technologist is not required to register with the state program.
5 Surgical Tech Schools in Colorado
Community College of Denver
At the Community College of Denver, students interested in becoming a surgical tech can apply for an associate degree.
This surgical tech training program is 12 months in length, which is shorter than most associate degree programs.
The tuition for the program at the CCD is $6,551.78 a term, plus approximately $700 in membership fees, lab supplies, and malpractice insurance coverage.
Front Range Community College
At Front Range Community College in Longmont, Westminster, and Fort Collins, CO, students can enroll for an associate degree in surgical technician studies.
The official title of this degree is an associate of applied science (AAS) in surgical technology.
This collegiate on-campus program lasts for two years and includes hands-on in-person training.
The cost for the AAS degree in surgical technology from Fort Range Community College is $280.20 a credit hour for in-state students and $673.90 per credit hour for out-of-state students.
Colorado Mesa University
At Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction on the western side of the state, students can excel in the SUTE program.
The SUTE program for surgical technology is a five-semester-long course that takes 65 total course credits to complete successfully.
During the program, students work with local area hospitals for clinical practice.
Twenty-four credits may be completed in a full-time study program over the course of one year.
Therefore, this program requires a minimum of two years of full-time study, including the internship.
Tuition for the program is $3,774.24 to $7,548.48 per year for students, depending on their residency status.
Colorado Mountain College
Located in Vail Valley, Colorado Mountain College offers students a two-year pathway to education.
Study to earn an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in surgical technology with training as a surgical tech in CO.
This study program is a partnership between other local colleges with Colorado Mountain College.
These colleges include Front Range Community College and Vail Health.
Students attend coursework at either of these campus locations for the surgical tech program.
The school locations vary depending on the availability of instructors and attendance levels.
The course requires a two-year commitment for coursework.
Tuition at Colorado Mountain College is $104 a credit hour for in-district tuition and $208 a credit hour for in-state tuition.
Costs are higher for out-of-state residents.
Pima Medical Institute
Students who live in Colorado Springs, CO have convenient access to the Pima Medical Institute campus.
For surgical tech hopefuls, the school offers a training program that requires 18 months of training.
This program leads to an associate degree in surgical tech with hands-on training in a clinical externship.
Tuition information is not disclosed.
Surgical Technician Schools in Colorado – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Colorado
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Community College of Denver | 800 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80204, United States |
| Front Range Community College | 3645 W 112th Ave, Westminster, CO 80031, United States |
| Colorado Mesa University | 1100 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501, United States |
| Colorado Mountain College | 802 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, United States |
| Pima Medical Institute | 7475 Dakin St #335, Denver, CO 80221, United States |
Salary for CO Surgical Tech Jobs
On average, a surgical technician in Colorado earns between $51,000 and $54,000 annually in major urban areas.
Here are three of the CO cities with the average salary for a surgical technician:
- Broomfield, CO is $53,900
- Greeley, CO is $51,900
- Loveland, CO is $51,500
Compare the CO surgical tech salary with the national yearly average, which is $52,300, according to Salary.com.
This places Colorado surgical technicians on par with the earnings of the nation’s surgical techs at large.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Surgical Technologists in Colorado
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Denver | $53,300 |
| Colorado Springs | $52,000 |
| Aurora | $53,300 |
| Loveland | $51,500 |
| Fort Collins | $51,600 |
| Arvada | $53,300 |
| Pueblo | $50,600 |
| Westminster | $53,300 |
| Boulder | $54,900 |
| Castle Rock | $52,300 |
Regional Salary in Colorado
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 170 | $65,810 | $31.64 | $79,520 | $42,970 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 250 | $64,920 | $31.21 | $78,480 | $56,290 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 1,360 | $65,850 | $31.66 | $81,560 | $50,010 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 110 | $66,670 | $32.05 | $78,570 | $51,950 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 80 | $63,640 | $30.6 | $84,500 | $43,850 |
| Pueblo, CO | 80 | $61,650 | $29.64 | $81,710 | $48,920 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need to Get Certified to Work As a Surgical Tech in Colorado?
No, you do not have to receive certification in Colorado to be gainfully employed as a surgical technician.
You may be required to get certified for certain job skills and statuses, though.
Also, certification at the national level allows surgical techs in CO to move and transfer their job.
In addition, there is a high-level state office in Colorado that manages surgical technologist and assistant registration that is applicable to surgical technicians.
Who Manages State Certifications for Colorado Surgical Technicians?
The Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations and the Office of Surgical Assistant and Surgical Technologist Registration is involved with certification at the state level.
The Colorado Secretary of State and the Code of Colorado Regulations also provides department regulations for surgical techs.
How Long Does Certification for Surgical Tech in CO Take?
Typically, the certification programs in CO for surgical tech certification take up to 12 months.
However, some expedient programs last a few months, while a longer program leading up to a bachelor’s degree will take up to four years.
