Exploring Colorado as a Travel Healthcare Professional

If you’ve been thinking about taking a travel nursing assignment in Colorado, let us just say it: good instincts. Colorado is one of the most consistently sought-after states for travel nurses, traveling surgical techs, and allied health professionals across the country, and it’s not hard to see why. You get legitimate career opportunities at top-tier facilities, and when your shift ends, the Rocky Mountains are right there waiting. Lauren Eddy, our HR Specialist here at Junxion, lived in Colorado Springs for four years before relocating to Texas. Everything in this guide is backed by her real experience, not a quick Google search.

Travel Nursing in Colorado: The Assignment Landscape

Colorado is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which means if you hold a multistate compact license, you can start your travel nursing in Colorado without any extra paperwork. No endorsement, no waiting. Find your assignment and go. If you don’t have a compact license yet, plan a few weeks ahead to apply for endorsement through the Colorado Board of Nursing before your contract start date.

Active travel nurse assignments in Colorado are consistently available across Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Gunnison, Grand Junction, Estes Park, and Englewood. The facilities actively recruiting travelers range from major academic medical centers and dedicated pediatric programs in the Denver metro to regional hospitals in the mountain towns and out on the Western Slope.

Colorado is famous for its beautiful mountains, including the iconic Rocky Mountain National Park. With over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildlife, and amazing views, this park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Colorado boasts several other national parks, such as Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, and Black Canyon of Gunnison, each offering unique and breathtaking landscapes.

For adrenaline junkies, Colorado provides endless opportunities for adventure. Hike, mountain bike, climb, take on the Via Ferrata, or ski the world-class resorts of Aspen, Vail, or Breckenridge. There is no shortage of ways to satisfy your adventurous side, and somewhere in all that terrain is the right playground for every skill level.

Travel nurse assignments in Colorado currently average around $2,026 per week across all specialties, with ICU and OR assignments typically paying more. If you’re a traveling surgical tech in Colorado, expect packages averaging $1,626–$1,802 per week depending on specialty and facility. Radiology tech assignments in Colorado average around $2,350 per week. That’s notably higher than the national average. ICU assignments and OR assignments in Colorado are consistently among the highest-demand and highest-paying contracts in the state.

At Junxion, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all placement. We’ll match you to the right assignment in the right city based on what you actually want out of this contract instead of whatever happens to be open. Browse our Colorado assignments board here.

Getting Outside: Making the Most of Your Days Off

This is where Colorado earns its reputation. Rocky Mountain National Park alone has over 300 miles of hiking trails, incredible wildlife, and the kind of views that make you forget you spent your last shift on your feet for 12 hours. Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison each offer completely different landscapes, and every one of them is worth the drive on a day off.

For the adrenaline seekers, skiing and snowboarding in Aspen, Vail, or Breckenridge is world-class. Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and the Via Ferrata are available for every skill level. Scenic drives like the Million Dollar Highway, Trail Ridge Road, and the Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway are easy half-day trips that don’t require any gear at all. A full tank of gas and your phone camera will cover it.

Ski Pass Discounts (This One’s Worth Bookmarking)

The IKON Pass offers both nurse and military discounts. Grab yours [here]. There’s also the EPIC Pass [here], though we haven’t been able to confirm a nurse discount on that one. Either way, if you’re arriving in ski season, sort this out before your assignment starts. Passes sell out and prices go up fast. (Not affiliate links. We just want you to find the best deal.)

Denver and Colorado Springs: Know Before You Go

Denver is the obvious anchor for any Colorado assignment. Home of the Rockies, a thriving arts and music scene, over 400 craft breweries across the state (including household names like New Belgium and Odell), and a food culture built on fresh, local ingredients. The RiNo Art District alone is worth an afternoon.

Colorado Springs is a different vibe entirely, and honestly, travelers who land there often end up loving it just as much. Lauren’s family was stationed there for four years, and she’ll tell you it never gets old. The U.S. Air Force Academy, Fort Carson Army Base, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and the legendary Broadmoor Hotel are all right there. There’s a reason it keeps getting named one of the best places to live in the country.

Discounts for Travelers on Assignment in Colorado

We’ve put together a running list of restaurants and local businesses across Colorado offering discounts specifically for healthcare travelers. [Get the full Colorado discount list here.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate license to take a travel nursing assignment in Colorado? Not if you already hold a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) multistate license. Colorado is an NLC state, so compact license holders can work here without additional paperwork. If you have a single-state license, you’ll need to apply for endorsement through the Colorado Board of Nursing. Budget a few weeks for processing.

What specialties are in highest demand for travel nurse assignments in Colorado? ICU, OR, and radiology tech assignments in Colorado are consistently the highest-demand contracts. Surgical tech assignments are also widely available, particularly in Denver, Glenwood Springs, and smaller mountain-area facilities that need versatile OR coverage.

How much do travel nurses make in Colorado? Travel nurses in Colorado average around $2,026 per week across specialties. ICU and OR contracts typically pay above that average. Traveling surgical techs average $1,626–$1,802 per week, and travel radiology techs in Colorado average approximately $2,350 per week.

What cities in Colorado have the most travel healthcare assignments? Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Englewood have the highest volume of openings. Gunnison, Grand Junction, and Estes Park stay steadily busy too, and those smaller mountain-town assignments come with a lifestyle that’s hard to beat.

Does Junxion Med Staffing have open assignments in Colorado right now? Yes. We have openings across Colorado including Denver, Grand Junction, Gunnison, Estes Park, and Aurora. Search our full Colorado assignment board here and reach out to your recruiter to talk through what fits your license, specialty, and timeline.

Written by Lauren Eddy, HR Specialist at Junxion Med Staffing. Lauren’s family was stationed in Colorado Springs for four years before relocating to Texas in 2023.