In this article, we take a look a the best barber schools in Colorado.
The barbering program is essential for those who want to be professionally licensed barbers.
Sufficient details are provided for all schools in this list of barber schools in Colorado and licensure requirements and the procedure are also stated.
Also See: 13 Top Barber Schools in New York City|Tuition
The List of Barber Schools in Colorado
- Avalon Institute
- IBMC College
- International Salon and Spa Academy
- TIGI Hairdressing Academy Legacy
- Aveda Institute
- Cuttin’up Beauty Academy
- Elevate Salon Institute
- Cinco Brothers
- Emily Griffith Technical College
- Northeastern Junior College
- Pickens Technical College
- Technical College of the Rockies
- The Salon Professional Academy
- Trinidad State Junior College
- United College of Health and Beauty
Avalon Institute
Address: 2231 South Peoria Street, Aurora, CO 80014
Here, students can pick up knowledge from qualified industry experts with years of practical work experience.
For today’s students to succeed in the beauty industry, they must offer the most up-to-date education possible.
The courses offered by Avalon Institute are designed to help students succeed in school and ultimately land their rewarding dream job in esthetics or cosmetology.
There are only two requirements for applying: Do you speak and write English well? Do you have a high school diploma or something comparable?
To benefit the most from these programs, you must be able to speak and write English fluently because it is the language used in their schools.
Concurrent enrollment is an option for current high school students at their Layton location, and all of their locations are happy to work with current high school students to find a solution that works for them, even though a high school diploma or equivalent is the general requirement.
Program Tuition – $12,100
Click here for more information.
IBMC College
Address: 2863 35th Avenue Greeley, CO 80634
For success, modern barbers need a wide range of abilities.
In order to ensure that your clients feel their best and are more likely to become repeat customers, you will need to use your creativity and customer service skills as a professional barber to provide the ideal cut, shave, or trim.
You will receive practical training in a wide range of topics at IBMC College, including precision haircutting, color and texture, skincare, shaving, and grooming, as well as the interpersonal and professional skills you need to launch a successful career.
IBMC Requirements For Admission:
The following steps must be taken before beginning a career that will change your life. Your campus admissions representative will support you every step of the way as they assist you in this process.
- Make an appointment for a meeting with an admissions representative.
- Fill out an application, then visit the college.
- A high school diploma or GED must be presented before training can begin.
- Take the IBMC College Admissions Assessment and succeed on it.
- Sign the enrollment contract.
- Meet with a financial aid advisor on campus to find out what aid you might be eligible for.
- Obtain admission to IBMC College.
Click here for more information
Also See: 22 Top Barber Schools in Arizona; Tuition & License Requirements
International Salon and Spa Academy
Address: 5707 North Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
They have been in business since 1971 and provide Colorado Springs with the most complete training programs. A learning environment that fosters both academic excellence and “real world” experience is offered to students.
They give each student a solid foundation in business training to ensure success in their career and in life, in addition to giving students the theoretical knowledge and technical skills necessary to succeed in their chosen field.
Most people looking to work in the personal care sector can find what they need there.
They provide financial aid to those who qualify and are accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences.
Program Tuition – $15,565
Click here for more information
TIGI Hairdressing Academy Legacy
Address: 5125 North Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
The goal of this academy, which offers a number of programs, is to give its graduates the tools they need to succeed in their chosen fields after graduation. You will discover yourself in a professional learning environment that fosters positivity with a team of diverse and experienced staff.
The modern barber was considered when creating their barbering program. You will enjoy learning not only the fundamentals of barbering but also more complex methods that will make you stand out once you graduate.
You will be immersed in their highly motivated professional and student culture every day. You will learn everything, from interpersonal to technical skill sets!
Registration Checklist:
- GED Or High School Diploma.
When enrolling at the academy, please make sure to bring your diploma or GED.
- You must be at least 16 years old to apply.
To enroll at the academy, you must be at least 16 years old.
- Proof of age and identity.
You Must Present Identification and Age Verification Documents.
- Fee for applications.
On the day of your tour, you are welcome to submit an application for enrollment at the TIGI Hairdressing Academy. At the time of enrollment, there is a $100 registration fee that is non-refundable.
Tuition: $14,860
Click here for more information
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Aveda Institute
Address: 700 16th Street Mall, Denver, CO 80202
Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes is a great place to start your career in the male grooming industry.
Their barber schools in Provo, Utah, and Denver, Colorado, instruct students in razor-sharp methods that can help them turn their keen attention to detail into a lucrative career.
This program, which was created by one of their own Aveda Professional Barbers, combines classroom instruction with practical training to help students develop into talented professionals.
Their extensive curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the male clientele, covering everything from precise haircuts to shaving and grooming.
Every student gets a professional toolkit they can use after graduation and one-on-one mentorship from qualified instructors. Additionally, they provide flexible scheduling.
Students who have jobs or other responsibilities can easily fit the required coursework into their already full schedules thanks to this.
Program Tuition – $15,000
Click here for more information
Cinco Brothers
Address: 117 East 22nd Street #1A
Greeley, CO 80631
Not much information is available about this school, but the link below takes you to their Facebook page, they do not own an official website.
Click here for more information
Cuttin’up Beauty Academy
Address: 8101 East Colfax
Denver, CO 80220
You can get fundamental training in cosmetology, barbering, hairstyling, manicures, and esthetics at C.U.B.A. along with practical experience to help you pass the state exam.
They put a focus on how to succeed in the beauty industry and how to make your chosen profession financially and personally rewarding! You will gain management experience, learn about business principles, and study the psychology of success.
They are here to assist you in realizing your capacity for using training to improve both your own and other people’s lives.
How much time and effort you are willing to put in over the course of your training will determine how successful you are.
Their qualified and devoted instructors are committed to assisting you in realizing your dream.
1500 hours of technical instruction and hands-on practice covering all procedures forming the art of barbering make up the curriculum for students enrolled in the barber program.
Men’s haircuts, clipper cuts, hair trims, face and body shaving, men’s color, chemical services, men’s grooming, line-ups, and much more are included in this technical training and practical work.
Click here for more information
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Elevate Salon Institute
Address: 6775 West 88th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80031
The Elevate Salon Institute Barbering Program combines traditional instruction with contemporary methods, and it also offers business and marketing education to meet the needs of the modern salon professional as well as the whole student.
The school provides a 1500-hour training course that satisfies Colorado state requirements. The program covers the following areas:
- Treatment for the scalp and hair.
- Hair styling and haircutting.
- Hair dyeing.
- Treatments and Massages for Men’s Faces.
- Shaving and Hair Replacement.
- Service for Chemical Texture.
- Regulations, rules, and laws.
- Management, morality, social skills, and salesmanship.
- Sanitation, cleanliness, and a secure workplace.
Program Tuition – $11,500
Click here for more information
Emily Griffith Technical College
Address: 1860 Lincoln Street
Denver, CO 80203
You will gain practical experience using shaving, haircutting, scalp treatments, styling methods, coloring, chemical texture services, and more through this barbering program. Both full-time and part-time programs are available.
Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to practice and gain practical experience working with clients at their on-site Emily’s Salon & Barbershop, which is entirely run by students.
Along with the abilities you’ll need to open and manage your own barbershop, you’ll learn the laws and guidelines required to obtain your barbering license.
Program Tuition – $8,148
Click here for more information
Northeastern Junior College
Address: 100 College Avenue
Sterling, CO 80751
The one-year program at Northeastern starts in August and lasts until the following May.
In order to be eligible to take the state licensing examination, students must complete 1500 clock hours (53 credits) as specified by the Colorado Cosmetology/Barber Board.
Students who complete the program successfully receive a certificate and are then qualified to sign up for the state exam.
Click here for more information
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Pickens Technical College
Address: 500 Airport Boulevard
Aurora, CO 80011
At Pickens Technical College in Aurora, the barber career training program combines classroom instruction with practical training on mannequins and clients in a full-service salon.
The Barber program’s curriculum includes instruction in:
- Advanced and intermediate barbering methods.
- Haircutting.
- Hairstyling.
- Hair dyeing.
- Skincare and shaving.
- Chemical relaxants and permanent waves.
- Cleanliness and security.
- Preparation for the state licensing exam in Colorado.
During their advanced training, students might have the chance to take part in an internship at a barbershop, salon, or spa as an additional elective.
Click here for more information.
Technical College of the Rockies
Address: 1765 Highway 50
Delta, CO 81416
The Technical College of the Rockies offers a 50-credit, 1,500-hour barbering program that can be taken full- or part-time depending on your needs.
The students gain the academic and professional knowledge and skills necessary for job acquisition, retention, and advancement through lectures and hands-on learning experiences.
This program places a strong emphasis on specialized training in areas like safety, sanitation, hair care, haircutting, shaving, skincare, reception, sales, and management.
Through TCR’s on-campus salon, students get valuable hands-on experience working with clients in the real world.
How to Apply
- Finish your TCR application.
- To apply, email admissions@tcr.edu a copy of your driver’s license.
- Admissions@tcr.edu should receive your official high school and college transcripts.
Average Completion – 10 months
Program Tuition – $7,895
Click here for more information.
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The Salon Professional Academy
Address: 4388 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
The TSPA programs are created to prepare students for much more than just passing the state boards; they help students become complete salon professionals with excellent technical ability, business & marketing training, and guest-handling skills that are highly valued by upscale salons and spas.
Program Tuition -$7,164
Click here for more information.
Trinidad State Junior College
Address: 1011 Main Street, Alamosa, CO 81101
The Trinidad State Barbering Program includes classes in shaving, hair and scalp treatments, hairstyling techniques, coloring, chemical relaxers, facial massage/skin care, sanitation, laws, rules, and regulations in order to prepare students for the Colorado State Barber Licensure Examination.
Certificate in barbering and an AAS in barbering are available.
Click here for more information.
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United College of Health and Beauty
Address: 4219 South Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113
Their objective is to ensure that the needs of all upcoming students at beauty schools are met. They have years of experience in the cosmetology industry. They are sure they can assist you in realizing your dreams because:
Their goal Is to give you a learner-centered, theoretically sound, and rigorously practical education that will fully prepare you for your chosen career path in the spa, beauty, or related industries.
Click here for more information.
How To Become A Barber In Colorado
In the State of Colorado, barbers are governed and issued licenses by the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure.
You must be eligible for a license through the Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure in order to practice barbering in Colorado:
1. Complete a barber program that has been approved
In order to practice barbering in Colorado, one must first complete a formal training program consisting of at least 50 credit hours. Either a cosmetology school or a dedicated school for barbers offers programs in the trade.
Whichever program you select, a licensed program for barbers must have a minimum of the following credits:
- 2 credits for hair and scalp treatment
- Treatments and massages for the face: 3
- Shaving: 3
- Cutting hair: 9
- Hairstyling: 9
- Hair relaxing chemicals and permanent waves: 8
- Hair coloring: 8
- Laws, guidelines, and rules: 1
- Management, morals, communication abilities, and salesmanship: 1
- Cleanliness, sanitation, and safe work procedures: 6
2. Apply for a barber license in Colorado.
You must submit the Licensure by Examination Application or the Licensure by Examination Online Application via the Colorado Office of Cosmetology Licensure after successfully completing an approved program of barbering.
The application must be completed and the $28 application fee sent to:
Colorado Barber Cosmetology Program
Post Office Box 887
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
If your application is approved, PSI will email you within 48 hours of receiving it to let you know.
3. Use PSI to register for and take the barber licensing exams.
After your barber license application has been accepted, you will get a confirmation notice with information on how to schedule and pay for your practical test.
Before you can pay for and schedule the barber written exam, you must pass the barber practical exam.
The barber exams are administered by PSI, who can be reached at 1-800-733-9267 or at https://candidate.psiexams.com/ to make appointments.
The written test takes about 120 minutes to complete, while the practical exam lasts about 145 minutes.
The cost of the written exam is $56, while the cost of the practical exam is $71.
4. Start your career and maintain your barbering license.
There are numerous barbershops, salons, and resorts/hotels in Colorado where you can find traditional employment, commissioned positions, or rent a chair to begin your successful career in barbering.
In Colorado, all barber licenses expire on March 31 of every even-numbered year. For continued legal practice, you must renew your barber license with the Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure.
Average Barber Salary in Colorado
As of August 29, 2022, the state of Colorado has a $32,890 average barber salary, with the typical range being between $26,478 and $39,609.
Salary ranges can vary significantly depending on the city and a number of other crucial factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the length of time you’ve been in your profession.
General Job Outlook
Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists are expected to see faster employment growth than the average for all occupations from 2016 to 2026, up 13%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The demand for basic hair care services will rise along with the population, which will drive up the need for barbers.
A trend that is anticipated to persist over the next ten years is the increase in demand for advanced hair treatments such as hair straightening, hair coloring, and hair straightening in recent years.
How long is barber school in Colorado?
In order to practice barbering in Colorado, one must first complete a formal training program consisting of at least 50 credit hours.
Either a cosmetology school or a dedicated school for barbers offers programs in the trade.
Do You Need a License to Cut Hair in Colorado?
People who work as barbers, cosmetologists, hair stylists, estheticians, and nail technicians in the state of Colorado are subject to regulation by the Office of Barber & Cosmetology Licensure. In Colorado, these professions require a license.
How Long Does it Take to Train As a Barber?
In general, a barber school program may take 10 to 12 months to complete if you want to become a professional barber.
You will learn practical skills and training from this lengthy course.
Can You Apprentice As a barber in Colorado?
Since Colorado does not offer any options for apprenticeships, it’s critical to find a barbering school that works with your schedule and your professional objectives.
How Do I Transfer My Barber License to Colorado?
Colorado uses endorsement for licensing. A valid barber license from their home state with similar or equivalent licensing requirements, along with an application for licensure by endorsement, are requirements for applicants. They must also pay the necessary licensing fees.
Can You Have a Home Salon in Colorado?
Yes! As long as there are no retail sales of goods, for instance, cutting hair at home for a fee is permitted but selling hair accessories and products is not.
How Do I Get Started As a Barber?
- Step 1: Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Step 2: Work as a barbershop front desk clerk.
- Step 3: Enroll in cosmetology or barber school or work as an apprentice.
- Step 4: Pass the State Board Exam and Obtain a License.
- Step 5: Submit an application for a barber job.
Is Barbering a Skilled Trade?
One of the few skilled trades that can thrive in any economic environment is barbering.
How Do I Become a Hair Stylist in Colorado?
One of the few states with a distinct hairstyling license is Colorado. You must complete at least 1,200 hours of training at an authorized school in order to become a licensed hairstylist. The written and skills exams can then be scheduled. There is a $127 fee for this.
How Can a Barber Make 100k?
You will need to be earning $50 per hour in order to reach $100k while working a regular 40-hour workweek. If you charge $25 for each haircut, you should be cutting two hairs an hour.
To better understand how long each haircut takes you, time each one on your phone throughout the day.