In just the past ten years, the amount of power generated from coal-fired power plants in Colorado has drop 50% while the electricity produced from natural gas and renewable energy sources picked up the slack. In fact, now a days Colorado is actually ranked seventh in the amount of wind power capacity. All of this power has to be guided by linemen in the state in a proper way. In this report we are focusing on Colorado linemen.
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Colorado lineman schools
Some of the most popular in-state choices for lineman school in Colorado are Trinidad State Rocky Mountain Lineman School, Mesa Hotline School, and Western Colorado Community College Lineworker Program. With each of these schools only costing a couple thousand of dollars, with an average graduate starting salary being around $50,000, all of these are complete no brainers to go to. We highly recommend one of these programs.
In order to become a lineman in Colorado the first step is an apprenticeship. A lineman 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 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. Linemen are absolutely needed in Colorado, to help maintain powerlines from all four corners of the state.
Colorado lineman apprenticeships
Some of the most popular choices for Colorado lineman apprenticeship includes Southwestern Line Apprenticeship Program, New Mexico Junior College Lineman Program, and Mountain States Line Constructors Apprenticeship Utah Training Center. There may not be many options for formal apprenticeships in state, there are many schools in nearby states.
Apprentices in Colorado work alongside veteran journeyman and learn from the best instructors in the industry. Apprentices are members of high-energy teams that work in the field to maintain substation, power lines, and other electrical projects.
Lineman apprentices in Colorado will be responsible for performing diversified work related to the construction and maintenance of poles, power lines, auxiliary facilities, and equipment for the distribution of electricity. Being a line worker in this great state will surely allow you to travel and see all of the great views of the country side!
Lineman apprentices in Colorado can typically make between $55,000 and $60,000 per year.
Colorado lineman jobs
How much does a lineman make in Colorado?
We estimate there are currently 1,580 linemen in the state of Colorado. The median journeyman salary for lineman in Colorado is $88,270. The 90th percentile salary for journeyman lineman in Colorado is $102,920.
Some local unions for lineman in Colorado include Local 12 (Pueblo), Local 68 (Denver) and 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, but it may help if you want to work in a city.
Xcel Energy is a major employer of lineman through its strong apprenticeship program. Other major employers of lineman in Colorado include United Power, Mountain View Electric Association, Poudre Valley REA, Intermountain REA, and Holy Cross Energy.
Some of the other utilities we have been tracking over the past year that have been getting more aggressive with their posting of hiring opportunities for lineman include Xcel Energy and Intermountain Rural Electric Association.
Journeyman lineman in Colorado will be able to need to perform various types of distribution service calls. A typical day’s work would include performing all energized & de-energized work assigned to the crew, supervise the work of any apprentice lineman training with the crew, assume the responsibility for the crew when the foreman is not present.
Even though Colorado has a large variety, and 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!
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