Entry Level Police Officer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $77,854.00 - $114,998.00 Annually
Location : Town Hall: 170 MacGregor Avenue, Estes Park, CO
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-02-0003
Department: Police
Division: Police Operations Division
Opening Date: 02/18/2026
Summary
Working and living in Estes Park is an incredible experience - join us on this journey!
The Town is seeking qualified and diverse applicants for the position of Police Officer I/II/III. Placement within this range is based on skills and experience. Please note that applicants MUST have current Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training certificate (POST certification) or out-of-state law enforcement candidates may challenge, and must pass, the POST once hired.
For more information about the Town of Estes Park, employment, and our hiring process, please click our hiring brochure: here. This position is Open Until filled with applications reviewed approximately every two weeks.
This position performs proactive entry level to advanced level law enforcement duties depending upon rank. This includes public safety, the protection of property, and crime prevention and detection. May be assigned an area of specialty as needed. At the higher levels, may be responsible for less senior police officers and may act as a Field Training Officer.
Examples of Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The list below is intended to be illustrative of the responsibilities of the position and not all encompassing. Duties are performed on a rotating shift basis. The Town may change these duties at any time.'

• Enforces local, state and federal laws and/or ordinances.
• Responds to calls for service including public disturbances, criminal, civil or emergency situations.
• Enforces traffic laws and promotes traffic safety.
• Detects and prevents criminal activities by surveillance of assigned business and residential areas.
• Promotes crime prevention by initiating contact with businesses and residents including explaining applicable laws, soliciting cooperation in crime reporting, and otherwise creating good rapport with citizens.
• Investigates and assists at crime scenes or accidents; protects evidence, collects evidence, takes testimony from witnesses.
• Operates a police vehicle under emergency and non-emergency conditions.
• Apprehends and detains suspects.
• Writes and prepares a variety of reports and completes forms.
• Prepares and provides effective testimony in court and works with prosecution attorneys.
• Provides code enforcement and animal control activities as needed.
• Organizes and conducts a variety community oriented policing activities; attends community functions and meetings for the purpose of public relations and education.
• At the advanced levels, may be responsible for less senior police officers; acts as an informal leader for less senior officers and other public safety personnel.
• Cleanliness and operability of assigned vehicle
• At the advanced levels, trains police officers or other public safety personnel in areas of expertise; maintains proficiency as a trainer and stays current with specialty field; assists in evaluating the department's training needs.
• At Level III, may serve as a Field Training Officer (FTO).
• At Level III, may assist in the selection of new officers.
• Performs other related work as required or assigned.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• Level I:
  1. High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
  2. An Associate's Degree or 60 undergraduate semester credit hours. Three years military service and/or law enforcement experience can be substituted for education.
  3. Licenses, Certifications, and registrations as listed below.
• Level II:
  1. Meet the qualifications for Level I.
  2. Must have been released from probationary status.
  3. One year of experience as a post-probationary Police Officer I with no documented job performance issues and approval of Police Chief.
• Level III:
  1. Meet the qualifications for Level II.
  2. One year of service as Police Officer II with no documented job performance issues and approval of Police Chief.
  3. Training at instructor level, or specialist in a field specified by the department.
• Lateral Police Officer Applicants:
  • Must meet minimum qualifications for Police Officer Level I;
  • Lateral applicants may be hired at Level I, Level II, or Level III based on relevant experience, demonstrated expertise, and other job-related qualifications as determined by the Chief of Police.
  • Once hired at a particular level, the employee may progress to the next level(s) by meeting the current established qualifications for Police Officer Level I, Level II and Level III.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS

• Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training certificate (POST certification). At Level I, POST certification is required at hire or if currently attending an academy may be hired pending POST certification. Out of state law enforcement candidates may challenge, and must pass, the POST once hired.
• Valid Colorado Driver's License and satisfactory driving record. Out of state candidates must obtain Colorado license within 6 months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

• Knowledge of police principles, practices and ethics.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, Town ordinances and State statutes.
• Knowledge of Town and department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and ability to performance emergency medical and first aid procedures.
• Skill in operating motor vehicles in hazardous situations.
• Skill in using weapons and other police equipment.
• Ability to collect and preserve evidence including biological material.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate with victims, suspects, witnesses and other police officers.
• Ability to act effectively in crisis situations and to deal tactfully with citizens in a wide variety of stressful situations.
• Ability to exhibit de-escalation skills, imagination, initiative and discernment in problem-solving when coping with a variety of law enforcement situations.
• Ability to act and react to emergency and/or threatening situations in a manner consistent with law; ability to protect one's self in threatening situations and to subdue and control unruly and resisting individuals.
• Ability to investigate situations and prepare written reports.
• Ability to make oral presentations.
• Ability to pass standard medical exam within normal parameters specifically with regard to the listed essential job functions.
• Ability to physically detain law violators.
• Ability to effectively testify in court or hearings.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must have dependable transportation.
• Must be able to work rotating shifts, through weekends and holidays.
• Must have no felony convictions or misdemeanor violent crime convictions.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to demonstrate basic computer skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, customers and the general public.

At the higher levels:

• Ability to perform supervisory duties as assigned.
• Ability to objectively evaluate personnel within assigned training area.
• Ability to create and maintain lesson plans.
• Ability to maintain active status as a trainer/instructor or specialist in the field specified by the department.
• Skills associated with technical area as assigned.
• Ability to act as a positive role model representing the department and its personnel.

EXEMPT: No
REPORTS TO: Sergeant
PAY GRADE:
Officer I: $77,854 - $93,425 annual equivalent
Officer II: $78,795 - $106,373 annual equivalent
Officer III: $85,184 - $114,998 annual equivalent
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Must establish and maintain residency within 75 minute commute time and 30 mile radius of duty location. Residency requirements must be met within 6 months of hire.
REMOTE WORK ELIGIBLE: No
CELL PHONE ALLOWANCE: Job Critical Allowance
Successful candidates must pass a Police background investigation including physical evaluation and psychological evaluation.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
Frequency GuideRarely (R)Occasionally (O)Frequently (F)Constantly (C)Less than - 5%6 - 30%31% - 70%Over 70% Physical TaskFrequencyPhysical SurroundingsFrequencySittingFExtreme TemperaturesOStandingFInside WorkFWalkingFOutside WorkFRunningOWalking on uneven surfacesOStoopingOWorking at heightOKneelingOOther: SquattingO ClimbingOEnvironmental Conditions BalancingOExposure to ChemicalsOReachingOExposure to Gases/Fumes/DustOGraspingCHigh Noise LevelsOFinger DexterityCModerate Noise LevelsFHandlingCVibrationsOVisual Acuity: NearFLight/Power Equipment OpsRVisual Acuity FarFHeavy Equipment OperationRDepth PerceptionFWork in TrafficFColor DiscriminationFLocal TravelFPeripheral VisionFOut of Town TravelRTalkingCOther: HearingC Other: Weight of Objects Moved Over 100 poundsR Over 50 PoundsO Over 10 poundsF
The Town of Estes Park offers a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include retirement, medical (eligible spouse, family), dental (family), vision(family), life insurance, sick leave, vacation, floating holidays, and volunteer leave. Our will provide more details. The Town also offers a Homeownership Program and aid for Dependent Care through a Flexible Spending Account.
Additional information regarding retirement: All town employees contribute to social security. In addition, this position participates in Colorado PERA retirement.
01
Do you have an associate's degree (or higher) or a minimum of 60 undergraduate semester hours (90 quarter hours)?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have three years military service and/or law enforcement experience? (Please list position and dates of experience)
03
To be considered for this position, candidates MUST have current Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training certificate (POST certification) or out-of-state law enforcement candidates may challenge, and must pass, the POST once hired. Do you have a current Colorado POST certification or, for out of state candidates, could you successfully challenge POST?

• Yes
• No

04
This position has a residency requirement. The requirement is: "Must establish and maintain residency within 75 minute commute time and 30 mile radius of duty location (170 MacGregor Ave). Residency requirements must be met within 6 months of hire". Are you willing and able to meet this residency requirement?

• Yes
• No

05
For police officers to have a take home vehicle, current policy states that they must live within the Estes Park School District R-3 boundary. Do you acknowledge and understand this take home vehicle policy?

• Yes
• No

06
Did you leave your most recent position in good standing?

• Yes
• No

Required Question