How to Become a Game Warden in Colorado

Colorado Game Warden Eligibility Requirements

The Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife is comprised of individuals who balance their love of the outdoors with knowledge of law enforcement principles and practices. Known statewide as Wildlife Managers, these men and women dedicate their professional lives to protecting and advocating for Colorado’s natural resources. While encompassing all the standard duties of a game warden, Wildlife Managers have much more to do than check licenses and enforce hunting regulations.

Colorado’s Wildlife Managers are the face of advocacy for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, speaking to advocacy groups and schools, as well as offering hunting and boating safety courses. The role of a Wildlife Manager is a challenging one, which means that all applicants must have the skills that provide their department and the public with the kind of expertise and dedicated service it requires to be effective.

Outlined below are the minimum qualifications for Wildlife Managers in the state of Colorado - please note that all game wardens in the state have successfully completed Colorado’s POST training, and positions are often posted in the fall. As outlined on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website, eligibility criteria include:

Basic Qualifications To Become a Wildlife Officer in Colorado

Age: 21 years of age or older is required in Colorado at the time of POST accredited program entrance

Citizenship: Proof of U.S. Citizenship, resident alien status or naturalization documents are required as part of the wildlife officer application package

License: A valid Colorado-issued driver’s license is required. Individuals must maintain a driving record in ‘good’ standing

Military Service: If formerly a member of the military, a discharge "Under Honorable Conditions" is required

Work Eligibility: New employees must present original documents that establish identity and eligibility for U.S. employment opportunities as per federal law – applicants must be eligible to accept employment in Colorado and therefore the United States

Background and Legal History: Applicants must pass an intensive fingerprint background check in order to continue the application process. Qualifying elements include:

• Not disqualified from any portion of a prior formal background investigation within the last year
• Not having used, transported, or purchased an illegal controlled substance
• Not having illegally manufactured, transported, purchased, distributed, or sold a controlled substance
• Not presently on probation by court order
• Not ever convicted of a felony offense
• Not ever convicted of a misdemeanor crime of physical violence
• Not convicted of a crime of domestic violence
• No DUI convictions
• Not convicted of a crime of dishonesty or moral laxity
• Never discharged or resigned under threat of discharge from any law enforcement position

Academic Credentials: Completion of high school or GED /graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in biology, natural resources or a closely related field is required. Work experience, which provides the same kind, amount and level of knowledge as the required education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis in lieu of the bachelor’s degree.

Additional Requirements: Application for Colorado Basic Peace Officer Certification

Preparing for Colorado Basic Peace Officer Training

POST Training: A course certifying candidates as Peace Officers and readies those to continue the Wildlife Manager application process totaling a minimum of 540 hours. Training includes:

• Surveillance and undercover operations
• Firearms usage and safety training
• Assertive driving maneuvers
• Witness and suspect interviewing/interrogation
• Rights and responsibilities of law enforcement agents
• Arrest and booking procedures
• Courtroom testimony
• Report writing
• Situational and locational training

Interview: Based on selection processes, candidates will have an oral panel interview with senior department officials

Medical Condition: The applicant must be examined by a licensed physician and produce a signed document indicating that he or she is able to physically perform the duties of a game warden in the state of Colorado

Polygraph: Applicants must successfully pass a polygraph lie detection test

Hearing: The applicant must meet the minimal standard for hearing, including long distance, directional and hearing vocal conversation.

Vision: The applicant must have binocular vision with or without corrective lenses or contact lenses, as well as uninterrupted peripheral vision.

Physical Readiness: The applicant must successfully complete a physical readiness test as part of the state trooper training. This testing will include a swim component as per hiring requirements. Applicants must successfully complete each component of the physical readiness testing during the allotted timeframe to advance through the application process.

Psychological Condition: The applicant must be in suitable psychological and emotional health to continue training as a Colorado Wildlife Manager

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Desired Qualifications

• CPR Training
• Practice of law enforcement principles and practices
• Knowledge of fire management protocols
• Knowledge of emergency procedures
• Knowledge of federal, state and local agency regulations, policies and procedures relating to natural resources
• Knowledge of spreadsheet, Microsoft Office and email software in a networked environment
• Knowledge of the internet and mapping programs; other proprietary programs will be used
• Knowledge and respect toward indigenous cultures and practices
• Establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Effectively operate and negotiate a 4-wheel drive vehicle on rugged terrain
• Ability to effectively use firearms and train others on firearm usage and safety

Game Warden Salaries with the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Department

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reported that game wardens in Colorado earned an average salary of $49,829 ($23.96 hourly) as of 2016. Both experience and location greatly affect the salaries of Colorado’s game wardens. Those with experience earned an average salary of $59,514 ($28.61 hourly) that year, while entry-level game wardens averaged $30,459 ($14.64 hourly).

The average salaries for Colorado’s game wardens differed by as much as 15% depending on the metropolitan area they were located in (2016):

• Boulder-Longmont - $51,231
• Greeley – $49,696
• Pueblo - $48,079
• Denver-Aurora - $47,487
• Fort Collins-Loveland - $46,077
• Grand Junction - $46, 042
• Colorado Springs - $44,662

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

1313 Sherman Street, 6th Floor
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 297-1192?
http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Careers05.aspx