HVAC and appliance repair technicians install, fix, and maintain heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems, along with everyday household appliances like refrigerators, washers, and ovens. In Colorado, the work looks different depending on where you land. Downtown Denver techs often service rooftop units on high rise buildings near Union Station. Boulder crews tend to work on energy efficient heat pumps in homes near the Pearl Street corridor.
In mountain towns like Aspen and Vail, technicians often drive between remote cabins, which usually means more independence and, in many shops, higher call out pay. Whatever the setting, most roles offer flexible or on call scheduling once you are certified, and many Colorado employers hire directly through our LBA Academy training programs.

Colorado's swing between hot summers in Colorado Springs and Pueblo and cold winters in Fort Collins and the I-70 mountain corridor keeps furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps breaking down year round, and someone has to fix them.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports HVAC mechanics and installers earned a median wage of $59,810 a year nationally as of May 2024, with the top 10 percent earning over $91,000. Colorado consistently pays above that national median, and the BLS projects faster than average job growth for the trade over the next decade.
That growth shows up locally as hundreds of open technician and installer roles across the Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins metro areas, entry level and apprentice positions built for new certificate holders through our workforce development programs, often paired with real on the job mentoring, and steady hiring from statewide contractors, including firms like Apex Mechanical and local shops such as Lakeside Heating.


Learn how heating, cooling, and ventilation systems actually work from the ground up.

Learn the core electrical and refrigeration principles behind every HVAC system.

Learn how to properly install and maintain HVAC systems to keep them running safely and efficiently.

Learn how to diagnose common problems quickly while following proper safety procedures.

Learn how to repair household appliances while building the customer service skills that keep clients coming back.
Duration
6–9 months(depending on class schedule)
Format
Hybrid (Online + Practical Training)
Total Hours
75–150 hours (including clinical practice)
Training Type
Instructor-led sessions with hands-on learning
✅ Training covers energy efficient systems and smart thermostats, along with troubleshooting for hybrid heating and cooling setups
✅ Hands on practice with real refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ovens, not just simulations
✅ Full preparation for the EPA Section 608 exam, which is legally required to buy or handle refrigerant in the United States
✅ Mock system labs where you repeat repairs until the process feels natural
✅ Safety training built around OSHA 10 standards and Colorado building codes, so you walk into your first job already knowing the rules

No. The program is built for complete beginners as well as people with some hands on background who want a real certificate.
Yes. It is legally required to buy or handle refrigerant in the United States, and this program includes full preparation for that exam.
The hybrid program usually takes six to nine months to complete, depending on your class schedule, with 75 to 150 total training hours.
Both. The program combines online coursework with real hands on practice on actual refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens, and HVAC systems.
Graduates typically find entry level and apprentice technician roles with HVAC contractors and appliance repair shops across Colorado, often with on the job mentoring included.
Colorado's HVAC and appliance repair field has room to grow. Wages sit above the national median, job openings are steady across the Front Range and mountain communities, and the training path is short compared to a traditional college degree. If you want to start for free before committing to a full program, the EPA offers online prep modules for the Section 608 exam at no cost. Colorado residents can also check WIOA funded training options through cotrainingproviders.org, which lists approved programs across the state, including HVAC and skilled trades tracks.
COMPANY
QUICK LINKS