Denver is Colorado’s largest city, with a population of over 720,000 people. Situated at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Denver offers law enforcement professionals a dynamic urban environment and one of the strongest job markets in the American West. The Denver Police Department (DPD) provides full police services to the city and county of Denver, with approximately 1,517 sworn officers protecting residents and visitors across six geographic districts.1,2 The DPD is actively recruiting qualified candidates, including through its EmpowHer Police Academy, a program specifically designed to bring more women into law enforcement. Men and women interested in becoming Denver police officers will find information on requirements, training, and career advancement below.

Denver Police Officer Requirements

To be considered for a position with the DPD, candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:

  • Be at least 21 years of age on or before the date of application
  • Be a legal resident of the state of Colorado at the time of appointment
  • Hold a valid driver’s license at the time of application
  • Hold a high school diploma or GED on or before the date of application
  • Be of good moral character, as required by the Charter of the City and County of Denver

Candidates must also be eligible for Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification, have no felony convictions or legal impediments to performing essential job functions, and be able to legally purchase and possess a firearm.

The application process is administered by the Denver Civil Service Commission. Candidates begin by submitting an online application and completing a written examination through the National Testing Network (NTN), which can be completed virtually. Those who advance submit a background history questionnaire, then complete an in-person polygraph examination and a non-medical job suitability assessment. Qualified candidates are next invited to complete the in-person physical agility test and a comprehensive background investigation, after which the Civil Service Commission conducts a deliberative review. Finalists may participate in a department panel interview before receiving a conditional offer of employment, which is contingent on passing a medical evaluation, psychological assessment, drug screen, and fingerprinting.

For more information about the law enforcement career path, see 10 Steps to Becoming a Police Officer on our homepage. To begin an application, visit the Denver Police Department recruitment page.

Denver Police Academy

Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment enter the Denver Police Academy as recruit officers. The academy runs 25 to 28 weeks and combines rigorous academic coursework with hands-on skills training.3 Recruits participate in a mandatory daily fitness program through the BARWIS Performance Program, a professional coaching system focused on injury prevention and performance enhancement, and are evaluated using the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Academic coursework covers state and municipal law, patrol procedures, defensive tactics, firearms training, crime scene investigation, use of force, emergency vehicle operations, and computer-based report writing, among other subjects. Recruits must pass multiple written examinations throughout training, and uniform and equipment inspections are conducted routinely. Upon completing the academy, new officers enter field training before earning certification as solo patrol officers.

Salary, Benefits, and Jobs Outlook

The DPD publishes the following 2026 base salary scale for sworn officers.4

GradeAnnual Base Salary
Police Officer Recruit (Academy)$73,066
Police Officer 4th Grade (Academy graduation)$78,686
Police Officer 3rd Grade (Year 2)$84,306
Police Officer 2nd Grade (Year 3)$89,927
Police Officer 1st Grade (Year 3.5 — top patrol step)$112,408
Technician$120,277
Detective/Corporal$123,649
Sergeant$134,890
Lieutenant$153,999

Benefits available to DPD officers include health, dental, and vision coverage, paid sick leave and vacation, a uniform and equipment allowance, and longevity pay beginning after five years of service. Officers may also earn an education incentive of up to $150 per month depending on degree level. For retirement, officers are enrolled in the Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado (FPPA) statewide defined benefit plan, with additional options including the Rule of 80, the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (D.R.O.P.), and a 457 savings plan.4

Colorado employment of police and sheriff’s patrol officers is projected to grow 15% from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 1,040 job openings expected annually on average, according to Projections Central.5 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, police and sheriff’s patrol officers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial metropolitan area had a mean annual wage of $96,990 as of May 2024.6 Find open Denver police officer listings on our jobs board.

Career Advancement at the Denver Police Department

All new DPD officers begin their careers in the Patrol Bureau, assigned to one of the department’s six geographic districts. After gaining experience in patrol, officers may apply for specialty assignments or pursue promotion through the Civil Service Commission’s competitive examination process. Promotion to sergeant and lieutenant is determined by civil service examinations administered on a scheduled basis. Command positions above the rank of lieutenant are appointed by department leadership.

Officers who demonstrate strong performance and build specialized experience may qualify for assignment to units including SWAT, the Mounted Patrol Unit, the Air Support Unit, the HALO (High Activity Location Observation) Program, and investigative units covering robbery, missing persons, and homicide, among others.

Cities and Police Departments Near Denver

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 4,750 police and sheriff’s patrol officers work in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial metropolitan area, with a mean annual wage of $96,990.6 In addition to the DPD, officers in the region can explore opportunities with the Aurora Police Department and the Lakewood Police Department. For more information about police departments across the state, see our Colorado page.

Additional Resources

Denver Police Department Contact

References:
1. Denver Police Department, About: https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Police-Department
2. Denver Auditor, Police Operations and Staffing Follow-Up, January 2025: https://denver.prelive.opencities.com/files/assets/public/v/3/auditor/documents/audit-services/audit-reports/2025/police-operations-and-staffing-follow-up-january-2025_final.pdf
3. Denver Civil Service Commission, Entry-Level Police Officer Informational Booklet, October 2025: https://denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/1/civil-service-commission/documents/informational-booklet/2025/109-update/entry-level-police-informational-booklet-10.8.25.pdf
4. Denver Police Recruiting, Salary and Benefits: https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Police-Department/Jobs/Denver-Police-Recruitment/Salary-Benefits
5. Projections Central / O*NET OnLine, Colorado Employment Trends, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers, 2022–2032: https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/33-3051.00?st=CO
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0019740