How to Work as a Radiologic Technologist in Colorado (2026)

## How to Become a Radiologic Technologist in Colorado Radiologic technologists in Colorado perform X-rays, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, mammography, and nuclear medicine imaging in hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, military facilities, and specialty clinics throughout Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and across the state. Colorado is one of the states that does **not** require a mandatory state radiologic technologist license — ARRT certification is the universally required professional standard, with employer credentialing serving as the practical accountability layer. ### Step 1: Complete a JRCERT-Accredited Radiologic Technology Program Regardless of which state you intend to practice in, you must graduate from a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Most candidates complete a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology. A Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (BSRT) is also available and is preferred for advancement to CT, MRI, or imaging management roles. JRCERT-accredited programs in Colorado include those at Aims Community College (Greeley), Red Rocks Community College, and hospital-affiliated programs at UCHealth and SCL (now Intermountain Colorado). All programs include supervised clinical rotations with required competency evaluations covering patient positioning, technique selection, image quality, and patient care. ### Step 2: Earn Your ARRT Certification The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) issues the credential that every Colorado employer requires: **R.T.(R) — Radiographer**, covering general X-ray and fluoroscopy. ARRT exam details: - Fee: approximately $225 - Format: computer-based, approximately 3 hours - Eligibility requires JRCERT program graduation and ethics review clearance After R.T.(R), specialty credentials include R.T.(CT) for CT, R.T.(MR) for MRI, R.T.(M) for mammography, and R.T.(NM) for nuclear medicine. Denver and the Front Range have strong markets for CT and MRI specialists in particular. ARRT requires **24 CE credits every two years** to maintain registration. ### Step 3: Understand Colorado's Licensing Situation Colorado does **not** have a mandatory state radiologic technologist licensing board or state RT license requirement. There is no Colorado state agency that issues a specific RT practice license the way states like California or Alabama do. What this means for practice in Colorado: - No state license application is required; no state license fee is owed - ARRT R.T.(R) certification (and any specialty credentials) are what hospitals, health systems, and outpatient centers require - Employer credentialing departments — following Joint Commission, CMS, and ACR standards — verify ARRT registration, education, background checks, BLS/CPR, and professional references - You should maintain current ARRT registration at all times, as any lapse will affect your employability immediately For travel or locum technologists coming to Colorado, no state licensing application is needed. Simply present your current ARRT card and documentation to the facility credentialing office. The Denver travel RT market is active, with ongoing demand particularly for CT, MRI, and IR-trained technologists. ### Continuing Education Requirements Because Colorado has no state RT licensing authority, the only formal CE requirement you are subject to is ARRT's standard: **24 CE credits per two-year cycle**. Credits can be earned through ASRT online modules, state and regional conferences (Colorado Society of Radiologic Technologists — COSRT), vendor-sponsored programs on ARRT's approved list, and JRCERT continuing education workshops. Maintain records of all CE credits for ARRT renewal and potential audit purposes. ### Radiologic Technologist Specializations in Colorado Colorado's Front Range urban corridor, combined with a large ski-resort and outdoor recreation healthcare market, creates diverse opportunities: - **CT Technologist (R.T.(CT)):** High volume at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, SCL/Intermountain campuses, and HCA HealthOne facilities. Trauma and emergency imaging drive consistent demand. - **MRI Technologist (R.T.(MR)):** Strong Denver and Boulder market; orthopedic sports medicine practices throughout the mountain communities are significant employers. - **Mammography (R.T.(M)):** Breast health programs at every major system; screening volume is high in Colorado's health-conscious population. - **Interventional Radiology:** UCHealth, SCL, and HealthOne IR suites are premium employment sites; IR techs are among the highest-paid RTs in Colorado. - **Nuclear Medicine (R.T.(NM)):** UCHealth's cancer program and Children's Colorado drive PET/CT demand in the Denver market. ### Colorado Radiologic Technologist Salary Ranges Colorado wages reflect a competitive mid-to-high market: - **General radiographer (R.T.(R)):** $60,000–$78,000 in Denver and Front Range - **CT technologist:** $70,000–$88,000 - **MRI technologist:** $72,000–$92,000 - **Interventional radiology tech:** $78,000–$100,000+ - **Travel/contract RT:** $50–$68 per hour; Colorado is a popular travel RT market, particularly Denver and mountain community facilities Mountain resort market positions (Vail, Aspen, Steamboat) often offer housing stipends and lifestyle perks in lieu of top-dollar wages. ### Top Employers for Radiologic Technologists in Colorado - **UCHealth (Denver, Aurora, Fort Collins and statewide):** The University of Colorado Health system anchored by University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora; academic medical center with comprehensive imaging - **Children's Hospital Colorado (Aurora):** Pediatric imaging excellence; full specialty MRI and fluoroscopy services - **SCL Health / Intermountain Colorado (Denver metro, Front Range):** Multi-campus system following SCL's merger into Intermountain Healthcare - **HCA HealthOne (Denver metro):** Multiple acute care campuses including Swedish Medical Center; large imaging employer - **Centura Health / CommonSpirit Colorado:** Extensive Front Range and Southern Colorado network - **Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center (Denver):** Level 1 trauma center and NICU; active imaging department - **VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System (Aurora):** Federal employer with stable imaging positions - **Outpatient imaging centers:** RadNet, Colorado Permanente Medical Group (Kaiser Colorado), and regional radiology groups operate extensive outpatient imaging networks - **Mobile imaging companies:** Serve long-term care facilities and rural communities across Colorado