Forensic Science Degree Programs in Colorado

Updated September 22, 2026

Colorado forensic science technicians earn an occupation-wide median of $84,010 a year, per May 2025 BLS wage data, with 20.4% job growth projected statewide through 2034. BLS typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or forensic science field for this work. Federal education data identifies one Colorado institution offering a bachelor’s in the broader security-science-and-technology category, though that category isn’t specific to forensic science alone, so confirm the exact program with the school.

Forensic science work in Colorado spans crime scene processing, DNA and toxicology testing, and expert courtroom testimony. Here’s what the degree paths generally look like, what the closely related law enforcement careers require, and what each role pays.

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What Forensic Science Work Looks Like in Colorado

Colorado Bureau of Investigation Forensic Services operates four crime labs statewide, in Denver, Pueblo, Grand Junction, and Greeley, serving federal, state, and local agencies across the state (Colorado Office of the State Auditor, 2026). Forensic science technicians at labs like these process physical evidence from crime scenes: analyzing DNA, running toxicology screens, examining trace evidence, and preparing findings that get presented in court.

Forensic Science Degree Paths

Forensic science programs are typically offered at the certificate, associate’s, and bachelor’s level nationally. Requirements and coursework vary by school, so treat the lists below as examples of what you might see at each level, not a Colorado-specific curriculum.

Example Certificate-Level Coursework

Crime Scene Investigation
Criminology
Introduction to Forensic Science and Criminalistics
Policing Systems

A certificate program is typically under a year of full-time study. It’s not a standard qualification for a laboratory forensic-science-technician role on its own. BLS reports that employers generally look for a bachelor’s degree in that field.

Example Associate-Level Coursework

Criminal Justice Research Methods
Forensic Aspects of Death Investigation
Forensic Aspects of Drug Identification
Fire and Arson Investigation

An associate degree typically runs about 60 credits over two years, mixing general education with forensic-science-related coursework.

Example Bachelor’s-Level Coursework

Laws of Evidence
Advanced Crime Scene Forensics
Forensic Photography and Crime Scene Documentation
Medico-Legal Death Investigations
Fingerprint Science and Ridgeology

A bachelor’s degree typically runs 120 credits over four years. BLS reports this is the education level most employers expect for forensic science technician roles, often alongside coursework in chemistry, biology, or another natural science, and sometimes lab experience specific to the employer.

Where to Study Forensic Science in Colorado

Federal education data identifies one Colorado institution in CIP family 43.04, Security Science and Technology, per U.S. Department of Education data. That family also covers security science and computer/cyber forensics, so appearing in it doesn’t confirm this school currently offers a forensic-science-specific track:

Institution	City	Control	Credential Listed
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs	Colorado Springs	Private for-profit	Bachelor’s, Security Science and Technology family

Confirm the exact degree name, concentration, current enrollment, and admission requirements directly with the school before applying. Federal data lags a school’s own catalog and can’t confirm whether a forensic-science-specific track is currently offered.

School and program data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, institution file May 2025 and field-of-study file April 2025. Data accessed September 2026.

Colorado Forensic Science Technician: Wages and Outlook

Forensic science technicians in Colorado earn an occupation-wide median of $84,010 a year, as of May 2025 BLS wage data. The state projects 20.4% job growth for the role from 2024 to 2034, among the faster-growing occupations on this page.

Related Careers: Colorado Peace Officer and Detective

Patrol officer and detective are separate career paths within Colorado’s criminal justice system, not outcomes of a forensic science degree. They’re included here because people researching forensic science often compare them.

Becoming a sworn Colorado peace officer runs through the state’s POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification process: completing POST-approved academy training and passing the state’s required written and skills testing. Individual agencies can add their own hiring requirements on top of POST. Colorado police and sheriff’s patrol officers earn an occupation-wide median of $97,350 a year, as of May 2025 BLS wage data, and the state projects 8.7% job growth for the role from 2024 to 2034.

Detective and criminal investigator roles generally require advancing through a separate law-enforcement career pathway and gaining experience as a sworn officer, not a degree by itself. Colorado detectives and criminal investigators earn an occupation-wide median of $105,480 a year, per the same May 2025 BLS data. The state’s 2024-34 outlook projects a 4.9% decline in the number of these positions statewide.

May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Forensic Science Technicians and Police and Detectives. Long-term (2024-34) job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, ProjectionsCentral. Figures reflect state-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a forensic science degree to become a police officer in Colorado?

No. Becoming a Colorado peace officer runs through the state’s POST certification process, approved academy training plus state-required written and skills testing, not a forensic science degree. Individual agencies may add their own requirements. A forensic science background is more directly relevant to evidence-focused roles like crime scene processing or lab work.

What education do I need for forensic science technician work in Colorado?

BLS reports employers typically look for a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or forensic science field. Specific coursework and lab-experience requirements vary by employer, so confirm what a particular lab or agency expects before you commit to a program.

How much do forensic science technicians make in Colorado?

Colorado forensic science technicians earn an occupation-wide median of $84,010 a year, as of May 2025 BLS wage data.

Is forensic science a growing field in Colorado?

Yes. The state projects 20.4% job growth for forensic science technicians from 2024 to 2034.

Is Colorado POST certification the same as a forensic science degree?

No. POST certification is Colorado’s state-specific process for becoming a sworn peace officer, separate from any academic degree. There’s no single Colorado license or exam that covers work across all forensic specialties. Forensic science technician positions are typically governed by an employer’s own education and experience requirements, not POST.

Key Takeaways

One Colorado school appears in the relevant federal data – Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs is listed under the CIP family that includes forensic science, but that family is broader than forensic science alone. Confirm the exact program with the school.
Forensic science technician is the degree-linked role – BLS reports this occupation typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or forensic science field. Colorado’s occupation-wide median is $84,010 a year.
Patrol officer and detective are separate pathways – Both run through Colorado’s POST certification and a law-enforcement career track, not a forensic science degree.
Growth varies by role – Colorado projects 20.4% growth for forensic science technicians and 8.7% for patrol officers through 2034, against a 4.9% projected decline for detectives and criminal investigators.

Worried about paying for the degree? The scholarships guide lists awards built for criminal justice majors, with eligibility, amounts, and deadlines.

Read: Scholarships for Criminal Justice Majors and Grad Students

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Want the bigger picture? Read the full guide to Compare Forensic Scientist Schools & Training Programs.