Retraining ReportJob training public funding can pay for

Find training

Accredited first responder schools in Colorado

14 accredited schools in Colorado offer first responder programs approved for WIOA funding

These schools are on the US Department of Education's list of accredited schools, and Colorado has approved their programs for workforce funding. Between them they offer 91 of the 100 first responder programs on the state's list.

The Department doesn't accredit schools itself. It reviews accrediting agencies and lists the ones it recognizes as reliable judges of the quality of the education they accredit.1 Each school below names its accreditor, the year it was first accredited where the list records it, and its next review.

WIOA funding doesn't require accreditation. Besides colleges, a state can approve other public and private training providers,2 so many short courses come from schools that aren't on the Department's list. Their programs and results are on each field's page.

First responder training in Colorado, every school, with costs and results

All job training programs in Colorado

More accredited schools in Colorado: Trade schools · Nursing schools · Medical certification programs · Allied health programs · IT schools · Business schools · Beauty schools · Culinary and hospitality schools · Child care and social services programs

Accredited first responder schools in other states

Accredited EMT and paramedic programs in Colorado

12 of the 14 schools with EMT and paramedic programs on Colorado's list are accredited. They offer 37 of the 39 programs. See these programs with prices and results

Show the other 2 accredited schools

  • Otero Junior College

    La Junta, listed as Otero College

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2027

    1 program

  • Pikes Peak State College

    Colorado Springs

    Accredited by Higher Learning Commissionnext review 2035

    1 program

Accredited criminal justice programs in Colorado

All 7 schools with criminal justice programs on Colorado's list are accredited. They offer all 20 programs. See these programs with prices and results

Accredited firefighter programs in Colorado

7 of the 8 schools with firefighter programs on Colorado's list are accredited. They offer 25 of the 32 programs. See these programs with prices and results

Accredited police and corrections programs in Colorado

All 5 schools with police and corrections programs on Colorado's list are accredited. They offer all 9 programs. See these programs with prices and results

How we matched Colorado's schools to the accreditation list

Which schools are counted?

Schools with programs Colorado approved for WIOA funding in public safety, from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).3 The two lists share no ID number, so we matched each school by its website and name in the same state, and checked every unclear case by hand. A school that only hosts a college's classes doesn't count as the college. Where we couldn't tell, the school is left out.

How current is the accreditation?

We read the Department's list of October 24, 2026 and count only current accreditation. The Department notes that agencies report this information, that it isn't audited, and that the agency itself has the latest status.1 Before you enroll, check the school's standing with its accreditor.

Sources for the accreditation facts about Colorado

Show the 3 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Department of Education, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), data files of 2026-10-24
  2. 20 CFR 680.410, What is an eligible training provider? (eCFR)
  3. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List