15 Best Welding Schools in Colorado | 2024 Ranking

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Are you in search of the best welding schools in Colorado? Search no more; I got you covered.

In this guide to the best welding schools in Colorado, we will show you how to become a welder and the best welding schools in Colorado.

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Welding is already a thriving industry that is only expanding. Companies across the country are looking for well-trained, hard-working welders.

A well-rounded welding program will prepare you for the industry if you want to start your career in welding while demand is high.

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Colorado has several reputable welding schools that are sure to meet your requirements.

If you are not interested in welding as a career but are still interested in the trade, Colorado has places that offer classes for hobbyists.

You can find classes that are appropriate for your skill level. You can develop yourself into the best professional welder.

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See Also: 15 Best Welding Schools in New York

Are there Welding Schools in Colorado?

There are numerous welding schools in Colorado. Some of them include the following:

  • Lincoln Tech Denver
  • Emily Griffith Technical College
  • Northeastern Junior College
  • Pickens Technical College
  • Kilroy’s Workshop
  • Aims Community College
  • Trinidad State College
  • Community College of Denver
  • Front Range Community College, Westminster
  • Colorado Mountain College
  • Morgan Community College
  • Pikes Peak Community College
  • Pueblo Community College
  • Red Rocks Community College
  • Colorado Community Colleges

How Does One Become a Welder in Colorado?

It is a simple process to become a welder. To begin with, you must have a high school diploma or a GED. 

Following that, you must enroll in one of the welding schools in Colorado, such as those listed above. 

After completing your education, you must seek certification from the American Welding Society or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Regarding certifying welders, AWS and ASME are the gold standards. Earning a certificate from one of these organizations means more opportunities. You can also request a raise. Welders can obtain a variety of certifications.

Without AWS or ASME certification, you can work as a welder. You could train under a more experienced welder. Your career options, however, may be limited.

What are the Best Welding Schools in Colorado?

Below are the 15 best welding schools in Colorado:

#1 Lincoln Tech Denver

Lincoln Tech has eight welding schools located throughout the country. They provide three different welding programs, each with its specialized materials. 

They each include the three most common welding processes:

  • Shielded metal arc welding
  • Metal inert gas welding
  • Gas metal arc welding
  • Others

The programs begin with an in-depth examination of the properties of various metals and then progress to hands-on training. Students must complete a 10-hour OSHA-approved safety orientation.

Every instructor at the institute is a certified welder with at least five years of full-time industry experience, so you’re in good hands! The American Welding Society has also certified the instructors.

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#2 Emily Griffith Technical College

Emily Griffith Technical College has two distinct welding programs (1 and 2). Welding 1 provides students with hands-on experience with the most critical welding processes. 

The course emphasizes critical welding skills, equipment setup, safety, and fundamental welding metallurgy. Students will also learn about metal types, welding positions, and other topics.

Welding 2 provides hands-on training in more advanced welding techniques, allowing students to improve their ability to weld in defined positions and effectively cut pipes.

The institute offers full-time and part-time class schedules to accommodate its students’ busy schedules. Students can use the best tools and learn the best techniques for complex welds.

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See Also: 15 Best Welding Schools in Los Angeles

#3 Northeastern Junior College

Northeastern Junior College’s welding technology program teaches basic and advanced welding techniques. 

Students must pass the Welder Performance Qualification Test and read and interpret welding blueprints.

Also, students can select the classes and times that work best for them! They can also take the courses at their own pace.

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#4 Pickens Technical College

Pickens Technical College provides a two-year program that teaches students how to operate equipment, read blueprints, and adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow, among other things.

The program includes classroom and hands-on training in the most recent welding techniques. 

The school employs modern welding tools and equipment to ensure its students receive up-to-date training.

The American Welding Society Plate Certification test is given to determine welding competency. The program has a total of 1,080 clock hours and 55 credit hours.

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See Also: 15 Best Welding Schools in Michigan

#5 Kilroy’s Workshop

Kilroy’s Workshop is an excellent place to begin your welding training. They have fun classes for those who want to learn a new hobby, but they also have a professional training academy.

Kilroy’s has small class sizes and tailors each visit to the skill levels of its students. They also have fantastic classes like forging and making leather sheaths.

The Workshop offers test prep for the American Welding Society D1.1 3G Test in GMAW and MIG for ages 16 and up.

Their academy provides professional training, but they expect a lot from their students! 

“Show up 5 minutes early, leave 5 minutes late, do what you’re supposed to do while you’re here, and prepare at home as if your livelihood depends on it,” their website says. 

If you can commit to these expectations, you can expect to make rapid progress.

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#6 Aims Community College

Aims Community College offers a wide range of study options. Welding certificates from the College allow students to learn about the subject and develop skills in less time than it takes to complete a degree program.

It aims to provide five different welding certificates, each covering a different welding technique, such as pipe welding, metal fabrication, and arc welding.

The college also provides a more comprehensive certificate program that combines most of its certificates into a single program. 

Furthermore, the certificate programs can assist students in preparing for the welding technology degree program.

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See Also: 15 Best Welding Schools in California

#7 Trinidad State College

Trinidad State College has a welding technology program that prepares students for a professional career in welding construction and fabrication.

The program combines classroom instruction with project-based instruction from an NCCER Certified instructor. 

Workplace safety, applied mathematics, and hands-on training in oxyacetylene, tungsten structural welding, pipe welding, and metal arc are all taught to students.

Trinidad State College offers a Certificate in Welding Technology and an AAS degree in Welding Technology.

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#8 Community College of Denver

Because of its convenient location, this school is a popular choice. The Community College of Denver’s fabrication welder program teaches students the fundamentals of welding and prepares them for entry-level positions. 

This program lasts approximately two years and requires students to be available full-time for three semesters. 

Students will receive a Fabrication Welder Certificate after completing 53 credits. Other classes for a variety of welding-related careers are also available.

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See Also: 15 Best Welding Schools in Alabama

#9 Front Range Community College, Westminster

The Front Range prepares students for welding jobs by offering welding associate’s degrees and a Welding Fundamentals Certificate. 

They offer a variety of welding programs, ranging from creative metalworking to arc welding. Their instructors are certified, welding inspectors and welding professionals. 

Front Range Community College has several locations throughout the state and Westminster.

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#10 Colorado Mountain College

Colorado Mountain College, at its main campus in Glenwood Springs, offers several welding certificate programs at various campuses. 

Students can earn the Rifle campus’s basic welding and cutting certificate by taking the following courses: safety for welders, basic shielded metal arc welding, and oxyacetylene joining processes. 

Additionally, students must attend the West Garfield campus to pursue the pipe welding certificate. This certificate program consists of 8 credits divided into two pipe welding courses.

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See Also: 15 Best Welding Schools in Missouri

#11 Morgan Community College

Morgan Community College, founded in Fort Morgan, offers a variety of welding certificate programs, including gas tungsten arc and gas metal arc welding, AWS skills welding, and shielded metal arc welding. 

A certificate program takes 30 to 35 credits, depending on which certificate the student pursues. 

Students pursuing a higher-level degree should consider the school’s Associate of Applied Science in Welding Technology degree program. 

This is a 63-credit program that requires students to complete an internship in addition to the required welding classes.

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#12 Pikes Peak Community College

Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs offers an Associate of Applied Science in Welding degree. 

Students must take structural welding, oxyfuel and plasma cutting, welding safety, and blueprint reading courses in addition to general education classes. 

Students can take milling machine, machine shop, and engine lathe courses as electives in the program. 

This school offers the following certificate programs:

  • Entry-level welding.
  • Shielded metal arc welding.
  • Pipe welding.
  • Machining for welders.
  • Gas metal arc welding.
  • Gas tungsten arc welding. 

Some certificate programs are brief, while others require more than 30 credit hours.

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See Also: 15 Best Welding Schools in Georgia

#13 Pueblo Community College

At Pueblo Community College, students can obtain a variety of welding certificates. Pueblo Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Welding program as an alternative. 

The program includes courses in machining technology and mechanical drawing. The course content for the associate’s degree and certificate programs is similar in areas such as applied metal properties and layout and fabrication. 

Also, students have access to the welding shop at the school.

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#14 Red Rocks Community College

At Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, certificate programs in oxyfuel welding and cutting, shielded metal arc welding, flux core arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and gas metal arc welding are available at Red Rocks Community College. 

Students can also pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Welding degree. The general education classes in this program cover technical writing, public speaking, conceptual physics, and career math. 

The 64-credit associate’s degree program also includes courses in computer-aided drafting, oxyacetylene joining processes, and flux-cored arc welding.

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See Also: 15 Best Welding Schools in Ohio

#15 Colorado Community Colleges

Colorado Community Colleges are an excellent place to change your life and begin a new career. 

The school has some of the best labs, classes, and teachers in the region, and it will provide you with all of the assistance you require. 

Your stay here will be delightful because of the fantastic campus atmosphere and fun activities.

One of the best options here is a welding program, which will provide you with a high-paying job in the shortest amount of time. Discover the allure of this job with its fantastic program and curriculum.

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Also Read-The 10 Best Carpentry Schools in New York

How Long Are Welding Schools In Colorado?

You can earn a welding certificate in as little as four months if you already have your high school diploma or GED.

You can also earn a diploma if you look for a school that allows you to take courses while still in high school.

How Much Are Welding Schools In Colorado?

Welding training courses at community colleges or technical schools typically range from $5,000 to $15,000.

Programs typically last two years and result in a certificate of completion.

Depending on location and specialization, tuition and training duration may vary.

For associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, tuition varies greatly between residents and non-residents.

Attending a nearby school saves you a significant amount of money.

Associate’s degrees can be obtained in two years and range in price from $2,000 to $31,000.

A bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete and costs between $40,000 and $100,000.

Welders with a bachelor’s degree or higher are more likely to advance to positions as welding supervisors, inspectors, instructors, or engineers.

How Much Do Welders Make In Colorado?

A welder’s annual salary in Colorado is approximately $45,840, or $22,04 per hour.

It is significantly higher than the national average salary of $39,390 annually ($18.94 per hour).

The top 10% of welders in Colorado earn a median salary of $68,520 per year.

At the same time, the top 10% of welders in the United States earn $62,100 per year.

Conclusion

Are you looking for a fulfilling career with numerous opportunities?

Welding is an excellent choice for those who want to contribute significantly and prefer working with their own hands.

If you live in Colorado and want to become a welder, you should read this article, choose a school, and begin your journey to becoming a Colorado welder.

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FAQs

Do You Need a License to be a Welder in Colorado?

In Colorado, there is no license required to be a welder. There are so many types of welding; trying to license them all would be a bureaucratic nightmare.

Does a welder need insurance in Colorado?

If you decide to work as an independent welder, you must have workers’ compensation insurance for yourself and any employees you hire.

What kind of math do Colorado welders use?

They use Geometry

Reference

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