A trade school is where people go to learn skills that lead straight to work. Instead of sitting through four years of lectures, trade students spend their time in workshops, labs, and training centers learning exactly what they’ll be doing on the job. These schools are practical, focused, and built for people who want to earn a living doing something tangible, whether that’s fixing cars, wiring buildings, working in healthcare, or welding metal.
One of the biggest advantages of trade schools is how direct they are. You learn the skill, get certified, and step right into the workforce. The programs are shorter, the tuition is lower, and the payoff comes faster. It’s not about theory, it’s about knowing how to do the job and do it well.
In Colorado, trade schools have become a big part of the state’s growing industries, construction, energy, technology, and health services all rely on skilled workers who know their craft. And while there are many options to choose from, a few stand out for their quality training, strong employer partnerships, and consistent results.
If your goal is to build a career that puts your skills to work and gets you earning sooner, then take a look below. We’ve put together a list of the Best Trade Schools in Colorado.
Best Trade School in Colorado
Check out the best trade schools in Colorado below, each one designed to help you learn, train, and start earning in no time.
1. Red Rocks Community College (Lakewood / Arvada, CO)
Red Rocks Community College serves the west side of the Denver metro from its Lakewood and Arvada campuses and focuses on hands-on career and technical training alongside transfer degrees. You’ll find programs in health care (diagnostic medical sonography, nursing pathways), construction trades, manufacturing and welding, automotive technology, and a big set of transfer and certificate options.
The college emphasizes practical labs and quick certificates that get people into work, and it holds regional accreditation so credits transfer and credentials are recognized. Red Rocks stands out for variety and strong ties to local employers.
2. Colorado State University–Pueblo (Pueblo, CO)
Colorado State University–Pueblo is a public university in southern Colorado that offers traditional bachelor’s and master’s degrees plus career-focused programs in areas like engineering technology, automotive industry management, welding and fabrication, and health professions.
CSU-Pueblo balances classroom learning with applied labs and internships aimed at local industries; its engineering and business units carry recognized specialized accreditations in addition to institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.
The school is a good option if you want a full bachelor’s education with strong technical and workforce links.
3. Regis University (Denver, CO)
Regis University in Denver is a private university that offers both career certificates and degree programs with practical focus areas such as nursing, health informatics, and technology. While Regis is best known for its health and professional programs, it also provides hands-on training and accelerated pathways that serve students looking for job-ready skills.
Regis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and many of its professional programs hold additional program-level approvals, making it a solid choice for students who want practical training inside a university setting.
4. Colorado School of Trades (Lakewood, CO)
The Colorado School of Trades is a small, highly specialized school that focuses almost entirely on gunsmithing and related hands-on skills. It offers an Associate of Occupational Studies in Gunsmithing and trains students with project-based, shop-centric instruction so graduates leave ready for entry-level gunsmith work or to start their own shop.
The school is accredited as a career/technical institution and is known for deep, practical training in its single specialty rather than a broad catalog of programs. If your goal is to learn gunsmithing well, this school is one of the state’s recognized specialists.
5. Lincoln Tech — Denver (Denver, CO)
Lincoln Tech’s Denver campus offers short, focused programs for careers in automotive technology, diesel, HVAC, electrical/electronics, welding, and collision repair. The training is hands-on and designed to match what employers expect on day one; many programs include shop time, industry tools, and career services to help with immediate job placement.
Lincoln Tech is a nationally known career school with program options built around trades that are in demand, making it a practical choice for students who want quick entry into skilled work.
How Trade Schools Differ from Traditional Universities
If you’ve ever wondered what really makes trade schools different from regular universities, here’s a simple way to understand it. Both aim to prepare you for a career, but they do it in completely different ways; one is fast and skill-focused, while the other is broader and more academic.
-
Length of Study: Trade schools usually take between a few months and two years to complete. Universities, on the other hand, take about four years (or more) to earn a degree. So, if you want to get into the workforce quickly, a trade school is often the faster route.
-
Type of Learning: At a trade school, everything you learn is hands-on and tied directly to your future job. You’ll spend more time in workshops and labs than in lecture halls. Universities mix theory and general education, meaning you’ll study a bit of everything before focusing on your major.
-
Career Focus: Trade schools train you for specific careers like plumbing, welding, cosmetology, or medical assisting. Universities prepare you for broader professions such as business, law, or engineering, often with the option to pursue postgraduate degrees later.
-
Cost and Value: Trade schools generally cost less because the programs are shorter. You also start earning sooner, which makes it easier to recover your investment. Universities tend to be more expensive, but they can open doors to higher-level positions in the long run.
-
Outcome: When you graduate from a trade school, you typically earn a diploma or certificate that qualifies you to work right away. A university degree is more about long-term academic growth and career flexibility.
Conclusion
If you’re the kind of person who enjoys working with your hands, solving real problems, and seeing the results of your effort, then a trade school might be exactly what you need. Colorado has some of the best options in the country, schools that combine practical training, modern facilities, and strong job connections.