Travel Nursing Jobs — Colorado
Denver, Colorado Springs, Western Slope, and mountain resort travel RN assignments. NLC Compact + 4.4% flat tax + Rocky Mountain lifestyle = Colorado's travel nursing triple draw.
Colorado Ski Season: November–April Demand Surge
Colorado's 30+ ski resorts attract 13+ million skier visits per year, generating significant trauma and orthopedic surge at mountain community hospitals from November through April. Vail Health, Aspen Valley Hospital, and Steamboat Springs' Yampa Valley Medical Center all see dramatic census increases during peak ski season — with pay rates often $300–$600/week higher than summer rates. Ski resort nursing offers a genuinely unique clinical and lifestyle experience unavailable in any other travel market.
Open Colorado Travel RN Positions
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Colorado Travel RN Pay by Specialty 2026
| Specialty | CO Weekly Pay | Top CO Markets | Key Certs |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICU / Critical Care | $3,200–$3,900 | Denver (UCHealth), Colorado Springs | CCRN, ACLS |
| ER / Emergency | $3,000–$3,700 | Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs | CEN, TNCC, ACLS |
| OR / Surgical | $2,900–$3,500 | Denver, Colorado Springs | CNOR, BLS |
| L&D / Obstetrics | $2,900–$3,500 | Denver (Children's CO, UCHealth) | NRP, ACLS |
| NICU | $2,900–$3,500 | Children's Hospital Colorado | RNC-NIC, NRP |
| Ortho / Trauma | $2,900–$3,600+ | Vail, Aspen, Steamboat (ski season) | ACLS, ortho experience |
| Telemetry / Step-Down | $2,700–$3,200 | Denver Metro | ACLS, Basic EKG |
| Med-Surg | $2,700–$3,100 | Statewide | BLS, ACLS |
Top Colorado Health Systems for Travel RNs
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital — Aurora
Level I Trauma COColorado's premier Level I trauma center and academic medical center, affiliated with CU School of Medicine. Busiest trauma center in the Rocky Mountain region. Strong ICU, ER, NICU, and OR travel demand. The single most prestigious travel RN assignment in Colorado.
Children's Hospital Colorado — Aurora
Top Pediatric CORanked among the top 10 children's hospitals nationally. Level I pediatric trauma center. Largest NICU and PICU in the Rocky Mountain region. Pediatric specialty travel demand: peds ICU, peds ER, NICU, peds hematology-oncology.
UCHealth Memorial Hospital — Colorado Springs
South CO Level ISouthern Colorado's only Level I trauma center. Two campuses serving Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and surrounding southern CO communities. Strong ICU, ER, and OR travel demand year-round.
SCL Health / Intermountain — Denver Metro
Denver Metro CoverageLarge multi-hospital system across Denver Metro including Saint Joseph Hospital (oldest hospital in Denver) and Good Samaritan. Med-surg, telemetry, and L&D travel openings are consistent across multiple facilities.
Vail Health & Mountain Hospitals
Ski Resort NursingVail Health (Vail), Aspen Valley Hospital, Yampa Valley Medical Center (Steamboat), and St. Anthony Summit (Frisco) all see acute trauma surge in ski season. Orthopedic, ER, and general surgery travel demand peaks November–April. Unique lifestyle assignment.
Western Slope Critical Access Hospitals
Western Slope / RuralGrand Junction (St. Mary's Medical Center — Level II), Durango (Mercy Regional — Level III), Montrose, and Glenwood Springs serve a massive rural catchment area. CAHs face acute nursing shortages and pay rural premiums of $300–$500/week.
Colorado Travel Nursing Markets by Region
| Region | Key Cities / Areas | RN Pay Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Metro | Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Westminster, Arvada, Englewood | $2,800–$3,900 | Level I trauma; academic medical center; largest CO market |
| Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Canon City | $2,700–$3,700 | Level I trauma; military population (Ft. Carson); growing market |
| Mountain Resorts | Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, Telluride | $2,900–$3,800+ | Ski season surge (Nov–Apr); ortho/trauma premium; scenic lifestyle |
| Northern Colorado | Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Longmont | $2,700–$3,500 | UCHealth North and Banner Health presence; growing market |
| Western Slope | Grand Junction, Durango, Montrose, Glenwood Springs | $2,800–$3,600+ | Rural premium pay; Level II trauma in GJ; large geographic catchment |
| Southeast CO | Pueblo, Trinidad, Alamosa, La Junta | $2,800–$3,500+ | Critical access hospitals; HRSA shortage; agricultural/rural population |
Colorado Travel Nursing — FAQ
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Ready for Your Colorado Travel RN Assignment?
CatSol matches travel nurses to Denver Level I trauma, mountain resort ski season, and rural Western Slope assignments. Apply now — ski season contracts for November fill in September.