Cosmetology Schools in Colorado

Colorado may be the ideal place to start your cosmetology career. Cosmetologists in Colorado are in high demand to help clients maintain healthy hair and skin despite the state’s dry climate and outdoor culture. Browse our directory of cosmetology schools in Colorado, or skip ahead to learn about the state's cosmetology licensing requirements and job outlook.

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2231 South Peoria Street
Aurora, CO 80014

(303) 752-1560
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics

16800 East Mississippi Avenue
Aurora, CO 80017

(303) 745-6300
Programs:
Cosmetology

3811 East 120th Avenue
Denver, CO 80233

(303) 451-5808
Programs:
Cosmetology

8996 West Bowles Avenue
Littleton, CO 80123

(303) 904-4400
Programs:
Cosmetology

3842 South Mason Street
Fort Collins, CO 80525

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy, Hair Design

2863 35th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80634

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Hair Design

2315 North Main Street
Longmont, CO 80501

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering

772 Horizon Drive
Grand Junction, CO 81506

(970) 245-8101
Programs:
Cosmetology, Massage Therapy

3673 Parker Boulevard
Pueblo, CO 81008

Programs:
Cosmetology, Massage Therapy

5707 North Academy Boulevard
Colorado Springs, CO 80918

(719) 597-1413
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Continuing Education

8555 West Belleview Avenue
Littleton, CO 80123

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Design

16534 Keystone Boulevard
Parker, CO 80134

(303) 810-1033
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Design

5125 North Academy Boulevard
Colorado Springs, CO 80918

(719) 390-9898
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Hair Design
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Find Cosmetology Schools Near You

Academy of Cosmetology Arts

4201 East Yale Avenue Suite B135
Denver, CO 80222

Arapahoe Community College

5900 South Santa Fe Drive
Littleton, CO 80120

Aveda Institute Denver – Accredited

801 Kalamath Street
Denver, CO 80204

Cheeks Beauty Academy - Loveland – Accredited

5010 Granite Street
Loveland, CO 80538

Colorado Northwestern Community College - Craig

2801 West 9th Street
Craig, CO 81625

Colorado Northwestern Community College - Rangely

500 Kennedy Drive
Rangely, CO 81648

Cuttin'up Beauty Academy

8101 East Colfax
Denver, CO 80220

Designing Beauty Academy

419 Main Street
Windsor, CO 80550

Elevate Salon Institute - Westminster – Accredited

6775 West 88th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80031

Emily Griffith Technical College – Accredited

1860 Lincoln Street
Denver, CO 80203

JC Styles Salon Academy

14800 East Belleview Drive
Aurora, CO 80015

Lamar Community College

2401 South Main Street
Lamar, CO 81052

Mile High Modern Beauty Academy

4155 East Jewell Avenue Suite 301
Denver, CO 80222

Montage Academy

700 Ken Pratt Boulevard 510
Longmont, CO 80501

Northeastern Junior College

100 College Avenue
Sterling, CO 80751

Otero Junior College

1802 Colorado Avenue
La Junta, CO 81050

Paul Mitchell The School Colorado Springs – Accredited

118 West Colorado Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Paul Mitchell The School Denver – Accredited

405 South Teller Street
Lakewood, CO 80266

Pickens Technical College – Accredited

500 Airport Boulevard
Aurora, CO 80011

Pueblo Community College

900 West Orman Avenue
Pueblo, CO 81004

Red Rocks Community College - Arvada

10280 West 55th Avenue
Arvada, CO 80002

Red Rocks Community College - Lakewood

13300 West 6th Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80228

Technical College of the Rockies – Accredited

1765 Highway 50
Delta, CO 81416

The Salon Professional Academy - Colorado Springs – Accredited

4388 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Trinidad State Junior College - Alamosa

1011 Main Street
Alamosa, CO 81101

Trinidad State Junior College - Trinidad

600 Prospect Street
Trinidad, CO 81082

Tuana European Academy – Accredited

826 South College Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80524

United Beauty College - Denver – Accredited

1701 South Federal Boulevard Unit A
Denver, CO 80219
Accredited School

You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.

Cosmetology Schools Near Me

Check out the Cosmetology schools these cities in Colorado have to offer.

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Colorado

Colorado Cosmetology Careers At a Glance
  • 1,500 education hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average salary for cosmetologists in Colorado is $37,190.
  • There is a predicted 38% job increase between 2020 and 2030 for cosmetologists.

In the state of Colorado, you must have a license to cut or color hair, perform skin care or nail services, or apply makeup. The requirements to become a cosmetologist in Colorado include:

  • Being at least 16 years of age
  • Completion of 1,500 training hours or 50 credit hours from an approved school
  • Passing written and practical exams
  • Applying for a license and paying the $124 fee
  • Submitting details about any convictions

Colorado doesn’t automatically prohibit you from obtaining a license if you have a felony conviction. The state board reviews any criminal history and determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis. You may need to submit additional documentation.

Cosmetologist Salary and Projected Job Growth in Colorado

$37,190

Average yearly salary for cosmetology in Colorado

In Colorado, employment projections for cosmetologists are very positive, with an estimated 38% job growth through 2030. This growth is much faster than average and is similar to the 19% projected nationwide employment growth for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists.

Not only does the state have plenty of jobs to offer, but you may also earn a higher salary. Cosmetologists in Colorado earned an average salary of $37,190 or $19.43 per hour in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s much higher than the national average of $35,990 annually.

Median salaries in Colorado metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas for cosmetologists are:

Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas 2021 Median Salary
Boulder $31,100
Pueblo $29,220
Fort Collins $29,160
Greeley $28,990
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood $28,940
Colorado Springs $28,380
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $28,140

Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)

State License Requirements

1,500 Education Hours

Required to earn a cosmetology license

The Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure is the licensing board for cosmetologists in the state. The state requires cosmetologists to obtain 1,500 training hours or 50 credit hours from a beauty school approved by the Division of Private Occupational Schools (DPOS) or the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).

Cosmetology schools in Colorado must include the following program subjects and hours:

  • Scalp Care (50 hours)
  • Hair Coloring or Hair Tinting & Bleaching (200 hours)
  • Haircutting (200 hours)
  • Hairstyling (175 hours)
  • Chemical Texture Services (100 hours)
  • Manicuring & Pedicuring (175 hours)
  • Application of Artificial Nails (125 hours)
  • Facials & Skin Care (175 hours)
  • Facial Makeup (25 hours)
  • Hair removal (75 hours)
  • Law, Rules, & Regulations (25 hours)
  • Management, Ethics, Interpersonal Skills, & Salesmanship (25hours)
  • Disinfection, Cleaning, & Safe Work Practices (150 hours)

Can I Apprentice as a Cosmetologist in Colorado?

Colorado doesn’t currently provide apprenticeship paths for aspiring cosmetologists, but the state plans to offer apprenticeships for various occupations—including cosmetology—beginning in 2023.

Colorado Cosmetology Licensing Requirements

After you complete 1,500 training hours at your approved beauty school, you’re ready to take the exams. Your school issues a record of completion and transcript of your education, which you then send to the licensing board with your application. Before taking the exams, you must file all three forms with the testing vendor, PSI.

You must also submit the application fee and any other required documentation when you apply. Documentation may include information on a name change and any other license you may hold. Expect to answer general and criminal history screening questions and complete a Healthcare Professions Profile as well, which may involve uploading supporting documentation.

You can register, schedule, and pay for both exams on PSI’s website. You need to schedule the exams at least a day in advance. If you must cancel or reschedule, you have to do so at least two days before the tests.

All of PSI’s testing centers are equipped in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You can make any accommodation requests on your application or during the scheduling process.

The cosmetologist practical exam is $69, while the written is $55. You can take the theory portion on a computer at an approved testing center, and the exam takes 120 minutes to complete. The practical exam takes place in-person to test your hands-on skills. It takes 145 minutes, and you may need to bring a beauty kit and all materials with you.

On the test day, you should arrive at least 30 minutes early. You must bring two forms of ID, the only items you’re allowed to take into the testing area. The testing center offers lockers to hold your personal belongings during your written test. The environment is quiet, with only 10 candidates testing at once. Noise-reducing earplugs are available as well.

First, you take the practical test. There is a full list of the supplies you need on PSI’s website. The written exam takes place after, and you have one year in between to schedule and complete the exam. You can learn more about what topics are on the exams through the DOP Licensing Guide.

You can expect to receive your score immediately after completing the test. If you fail the exams, you can retake them unlimited times. However, you must wait at least 14 days between attempts and pay a retake fee. The practical exam comes with a $67 retake fee, while the written exam is $52.

Applications take varying time frames to process. Colorado doesn’t print and mail licenses, so expect to receive an electronic notification with a link to log in to your account and print your license. You can also check the status of your application online.

Colorado Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity

You must have a license before working with the public as a cosmetologist in Colorado. However, you may be able to transfer it from another state if you’re already licensed elsewhere.

Individuals moving to Colorado who are licensed in another state can apply for licensure by endorsement. To be eligible, you must have graduated from an approved school and completed training hours equal to or greater than Colorado’s required hours. If you don’t have equivalent training hours but have at least 65%, you can substitute five hours of documented work experience for every hour of unfulfilled training.

Military spouses licensed as cosmetologists in another state can work in Colorado for three years before obtaining a Colorado license.

To apply for licensure through reciprocity, check out the endorsement license application checklist and apply online through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.

Cosmetology Specialties in Colorado

As a licensed cosmetologist, the licensing board allows you to cut and color hair, perform some skin care and nail services, or apply makeup. However, Colorado requires cosmetologists to earn an additional 132 training hours from an approved school to apply permanent makeup. You may also need a license to apply or extend eyelashes.

Colorado offers a hairstylist license as well. This route only requires 1,200 training hours from an approved school, but hairstylists may not be able to perform all the same services as cosmetologists.

Services deemed medical procedures, rather than cosmetic—such as any injections or fillers like Botox or collagen—must be performed by a licensed physician.

License Renewal

2 Year

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

Colorado requires cosmetologists to renew their license every two years. Licenses expire on April 30 of each year. Half of the profession renews on even years, while the other half renews on odd years.

You receive an electronic notification around six weeks before your license expires. However, you may still want to look at the expiration date on your license, which may vary depending on the original issue date.

You’ll get a final notification when your license expires and the late fee period begins. If your license expires, you must complete an online reinstatement application and pay all fees before your license is reinstated. Continuing education hours are not required to renew cosmetology licenses in Colorado.

Contact the Colorado State Board of Cosmetology

Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure

For those looking to have more intrepid career paths and also forge more horizons for small business, cosmetology is an inspired choice. Colorado has seen this unfold with a plethora of salons and professionals shaping style statewide. Potential professionals look into these resources for guidance.

Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure
The Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DOP) oversees the state board for cosmetology licensure. Here you can find all the important information about the requirements for licensure.

PSI
As the testing vendor in Colorado, PSI allows you to register and schedule your exams. They also offer online practice tests and tutorials in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.

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Cosmetology
Colorado

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Your State