How to Become a Firefighter in Denver, Colorado

Denver Fire Department serves the City and County of Denver with a team of career firefighters protecting over 700,000 residents across 155 square miles. Entry-level firefighters in Denver earn between $61,000 and $103,000 annually, with experienced personnel and lieutenants exceeding $98,000. Here is how to join their ranks.

Basic Requirements

Denver Fire Department sets specific minimum qualifications for all applicants:

• Age: Must be at least 21 years old at time of application
• Citizenship: U.S. citizen
• Education: High school diploma or GED
• Driver's License: Valid driver's license required
• Residency: Colorado residency required at time of hire (no minimum time limit to establish residency)
• Background: No active deferred sentences, deferred judgments, or deferred prosecutions. Drug screening required.
• Vision: 20/30 binocular corrected, 20/100 binocular uncorrected for glasses/contacts wearers

Step-by-Step Hiring Process

1. Submit your application through Workday. All candidates must complete a formal application with the City and County of Denver through the Workday platform during an open application period.

2. Take the FireTEAM exam through National Testing Network. This written exam tests cognitive ability, mechanical reasoning, and personality traits. Register and schedule at nationaltestingnetwork.com.

3. Pass the CPAT. The Candidate Physical Ability Test must be completed successfully no more than two months before academy start. The CPAT consists of 8 events completed in 10 minutes and 20 seconds while wearing a 50-pound vest. Events include stair climb, hose drag, equipment carry, ladder raise, forcible entry, search, rescue drag, and ceiling breach and pull.

4. Complete medical and psychological screening. Conditional offers trigger a comprehensive evaluation at the city's expense, including medical exam, vision and hearing tests, psychological evaluation, drug screen, and a post-job-offer questionnaire.

5. Enter the fire academy. Denver's recruit academy runs approximately 20-26 weeks and covers fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazmat operations, technical rescue, and physical fitness.

6. Complete probation. New firefighters serve a probationary period under field supervision before earning permanent status.

Preparation Tips

Start preparing well before an application window opens. The CPAT is often the biggest hurdle for candidates, so build a training plan at least 12 weeks before your test date. Focus on stair climbing under load, grip strength, and overall cardiovascular endurance.

Get your EMT certification before applying. While not listed as a strict minimum, EMT-Basic certification makes you significantly more competitive and is required for the job. Colorado EMT programs run through community colleges like Red Rocks Community College, Aims Community College, and Front Range Community College. Programs typically take 4-6 months and cost $1,500-$3,000.

The FireTEAM exam requires no fire service knowledge, but you should practice with sample tests to get comfortable with the format. Focus on mechanical reasoning questions and video-based human relations scenarios.

Ready to Serve's career pathway tools can help you track certification progress, build a structured fitness plan, and organize your application timeline so nothing falls through the cracks.

What to Expect: Salary and Career Progression

Denver firefighter compensation reflects the city's higher cost of living:

• Entry-level firefighter: $61,000-$71,000 per year
• Experienced firefighter: $71,000-$91,000 per year
• Lieutenant: approximately $98,000 per year
• Top earners with specialty/OT: $103,000+ per year

Pay is determined by collective bargaining agreements between the City and County of Denver and the local firefighters union. Premium pay is available for paramedic certification, hazmat specialization, bilingual skills, and advanced degrees.

Denver firefighters work a 24/48 schedule (24 hours on, 48 hours off) and receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement through the Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA), and paid time off. The department offers specialty assignments in hazmat, technical rescue, water rescue, ARFF (airport), fire investigation, community outreach, and fire dispatch.

Colorado's outdoor lifestyle and growing population make Denver FD a competitive department. Application windows attract thousands of candidates for limited academy slots, so thorough preparation is essential.

Related Guides

• How to Pass the CPAT
• How to Become a Firefighter in Texas
• Military to Firefighter Transition Guide
• Firefighter Physical Fitness Training Plan
• Fire Academy: What to Expect

Sources

• City and County of Denver - Become a Firefighter
• ZipRecruiter - Entry Level Firefighter Salary in Denver, CO (March 2026)
• National Testing Network - Denver Civil Service Commission
• Indeed - Firefighter Salary in Denver, CO (March 2026)