Every community needs electrical work, which is why becoming an Electrical Technician is a smart career choice.
It’s an extremely hands-on field, and there are many private and public sector opportunities available as you go from apprentice to master.
Electrical Technicians install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, communications, and control systems. They ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. They may install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.
In this article, we will be looking at the lineman schools in Colorado and how you can become a lineman in Colorado.
How to Become a Lineman in Colorado
Colorado is ranked seventh in the amount of wind power capacity. Also, Colorado has 50% of its electricity produced from natural gas and renewable energy sources.
All of this power generated has to be guided by linemen in the state. Some of the most popular lineman schools in Colorado are Trinidad State Rocky Mountain Lineman School, Mesa Hotline School, and Western Colorado Community College Lineworker Program. We will be mentioning the rest later on in the article.
These schools are known to cost a couple of thousand dollars, with the average starting salary of a lineman being around $50,000. All of these are no-brainers to go to. We highly recommend one of these programs.
The first step toward becoming a lineman in Colorado is an apprenticeship. The apprenticeship is an “earn while you learn” program in the sense that it is an entry-level role that is focused on education and training.
Colorado apprenticeships in the line industry can be difficult to enter and having a CDL as well as going to line school can improve your chances in the region.
Some of the lineman schools are also known as pre-apprenticeship programs.
In an interview, either with union halls or contractors in Colorado, an aspiring lineman will be expected to articulate why he is interested in the field as well as what sort of relevant experience would translate well.
Colorado lineman apprenticeships: Some of the most popular choices for Colorado lineman programs include:
There may not be many options for formal apprenticeships in the state, however, there are many schools in nearby states.
Apprentices in Colorado work alongside veteran journeymen and learn from the best instructors that the industry has.
Apprentices are members of high-energy teams that work in the field to maintain substations, power lines, and other electrical projects.
Lineman apprentices in Colorado are responsible for the construction and maintenance of poles, power lines, auxiliary facilities, and all other equipment for the distribution of electricity.
Lineman Jobs in Colorado
According to the US Department of Labor, alternative power generation, such as solar and wind are emerging fields.
These fields require more electricians for installation. This means electricians will be needed to link these alternative power sources to homes and power grids over the coming decades.
Employment growth stemming from these sources, however, will largely depend on government policy.
Journeyman lineman in Colorado performs various types of distribution service calls. A typical day’s work includes:
- Performing all energized & de-energized work assigned to the crew.
Supervising the work of any apprentice lineman training with the crew.
Assuming the responsibility for the crew when the foreman is not present.
Some of the other lineman jobs in Colorado include.
- Electric line mechanic
- Electric lineworker
- Power lineman
- Maintenance Technician
- Electrical Service Technician
- Electrical Repair Technician
- Maintenance/Service Technician
Upon licensure or registration, additional positions include:
- Control Technician
- Residential Wireman
- Inside Wireman
- Electrician
- Journeyman Electrician
Electric lineworkers:
- Climb poles
- Use hot line tools
- Install and repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems
- Locate line trouble
- Operate and maintain substations
Colorado Lineman Salary
Being a line worker in a state such as Colorado will surely allow you to travel and see all of the great views of the countryside.
How much does a lineman make in Colorado?
Lineman apprentices in Colorado can typically make between $55,000 and $60,000 per year.
According to linemancentral.com, there are currently about 1,580 linemen in Colorado. The median journeyman salary for linemen in Colorado is $88,270.
The 90th percentile salary for journeyman lineman in Colorado is $102,920.
Unions for Lineman in Colorado
There are unions for linemen in Colorado and that include:
- Local 12 (Pueblo)
- Local 68 (Denver)
- Local 111 (Denver)
There is a fair balance for lineman jobs in Colorado between union and non-union.
Don’t feel like you need to join a union to secure a job? Just know that it may help if you want to work in a city.
Lineman Employers in Colorado
Xcel Energy is a major employer of linemen through its strong apprenticeship program. Other major employers of linemen in Colorado include:
- United Power
- Mountain View Electric Association
- Poudre Valley REA
- Intermountain REA
- Holy Cross Energy
There are other utilities that are getting more aggressive in their posting of hiring opportunities for linemen. An example of such a utility is Intermountain Rural Electric Association.
What are the qualifications employers look out for in a Lineman
Employers look for candidates who have the following qualifications:
- Raceways and Boxes
- Overcurrent Protection
- Conductors and Cables
- Electrical Coding
- Conduit Bending
- Wiring Installation
- Motors and Transformer Systems
- Grounding and Bonding
- Raceways and Boxes
- Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits
The List of Lineman Schools in Colorado
- Rocky Mountain Electrical Training Institute
- Western Colorado Community College
- Mesa Hotline School
- IntelliTec College in Colorado Springs
- Denver Joint Electrical
- Pueblo Community College
Rocky Mountain Electrical Training Institute
- Tuition: $2000
- Registration: $350
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- (800) 621-8752
- Visit the Trinidad State College website
The Rocky Mountain Electrical Training Institute offers a top-quality electrical training program supported by a professional group of teachers and electricians committed to passing on quality knowledge and “Tradesman” skills to the next generation of the electrical construction workforce.
Colorado Springs Utilities has partnered with Trinidad State College and Pikes Peak Community College to offer utility linework training to approximately 25 students each year.
Students will learn the skills and values utility companies seek when hiring apprentice linemen, including a strong work ethic, good attitude, dependability, and climbing experience.
Program A: 126 hrs. 1st-year Students
The graduate will be more than halfway to the point of passing the Residential Wireman’s State Exam.
Program B: 126 hrs. 2nd-year Students
The graduate of this program will have the knowledge to pass the Residential Wireman’s Exam. (with 2 yrs of working time).
Program C: 126 hrs. 3rd-year Students
The graduate is close to the Journeyman level.
Program D: 126 hrs. 4th-year Students
The graduate is guaranteed the knowledge to pass the Journeyman Wireman’s Exam (with 4 years of working time).
Western Colorado Community College
- 2508 Blichmann Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81505
- Visit the Western Colorado Community College website
The Electric Lineworker program at Western Colorado Community College covers all areas of training that are needed for those who desire to become an apprentice electric lineman.
In this program, students learn the basic skills in the study of electricity, the fundamentals of electric linework, and transformer connections. They also learn about underground repair and installation.
The Electric Lineworker program operates within an indoor and outdoor, hands-on electric training facility with classrooms on site.
Why choose this college?
- Using full wood-pole fall restraint systems, students get to learn how to climb and work on industry-height wooden poles.
- Students receive basic training in the operation of bucket and digger-derrick and learn to splice, repair, and install underground systems using backhoes and trenches.
- Assessments are provided by representatives from the many divisions of the electric industry.
- Scholarships are available through local electric providers.
The two degrees you can go for in this college include:
Electrical Lineworker Associate of Applied Science degree: This program covers all area of training that is required to work with electrical lines, transformer connections, and underground installation.
Electrical Lineworker Technical Certificate: This certificate covers all areas of training that are required to work with electrical lines. This includes basic skills in studies of electricity, math, fundamentals of line work, transformer connections, and underground installations.
Mesa Hotline School
- Grand Junction, Colorado
- (970) 854-2236
- Visit the Mesa Hotline School website
Mesa Hotline Schools serves as a model for providing training for privately owned and non-profit companies. The program prepares students to work for power line construction and utility companies.
Through this program, you will be able to learn the basic skills in electricity, linework installation, repair, cable splicing, and system testing.
Students also get to learn transformer connections, underground electric installation, and the operation of digger derricks.
All students are required to obtain a Red Cross First Aid card and a CPR card before a certificate is issued.
IntelliTec College in Colorado Springs
- Program length: 10.5 Months*
- Award: Certificate
- Credit hours: 54
IntelliTec College in Colorado Springs offers a 10.5-month hands-on electrical technician training program in Pueblo and Colorado Springs.
The Electrical Technician program from IntelliTec College enables students to build the skills and confidence that they need to succeed in a career in the electrical field.
With practical, hands-on training, small class sizes, and job placement assistance, students feel prepared and supported to pursue their career goals upon graduation.
The Electrical Technician program is designed for students to develop the skills and knowledge for entry-level employment as an Electrical Technician, Electrical Repair Technician, or Residential Wireman in the residential, commercial, and construction industry.
Successful graduates will be prepared to register as an apprentice, as well as, sit for the Residential Wireman exam provided by the Division of Professions and Occupations Colorado Electrical Board upon completion of required work experience of 4,000 hours
Denver Joint Electrical
The Denver JATC has trained hundreds of Colorado workers to become licensed JW electricians since its creation.
The JATC works with highly successful contractors throughout the State of Colorado to provide on-the-job training as well as extensive classroom training.
Apprentices will receive competitive wages as well as a great pension and medical plan. You gain the following opportunities:
Inside Wireman Apprenticeship: Learning how Inside Wiremen install conduit, electrical wiring, fixtures, and electrical equipment inside commercial buildings and in industrial settings.
Residential Apprenticeship: Learn how Residential Wiremen work solely in residential settings (single and multi-family dwellings).
Through their Telecommunications Installer-Technician Apprenticeship, you will learn how to install circuits and equipment for telephones, computer networks, video distribution systems, security and access control systems, as well as other low voltage systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
Conclusion:
Even though Colorado has a large variety, and a large amount of energy production, Colorado still has to import some energy from other states.
As you may know, importing from other states does come with some challenges, however, nothing that linemen can’t solve! What are your thoughts about these lineman schools in Colorado? Please share your thoughts with us.