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The service thus established shall promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations hereinafter specified by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks, monuments, and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." - Organic Act 1916 |
Colorado Northwestern is currently one of six accredited academies in the nation that offers academy training approved by the National Park Service and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). The Ranger Trainee course is a hard-hitting challenging course that will test you mentally, emotionally, and physically. The course builds character, perseverance, mental capacity and decision making, authority and responsibility, physical fitness, defensive tactics skills, driving skills, firearms skills as well as increasing your leadership skills and ability to deal with life’s many challenges. The final outcome is you will learn the necessary basic knowledge and skills required to successfully perform the duties of a law enforcement Ranger in the field.
This is a sixteen week course of study encompassing over 700 hours (33 credit hours) of training. Upon successful completion of the academy, students will receive an accredited NPS/FLETC PRLEA Certification. This certification allows you to be eligible for a type II (seasonal) Law Enforcement position with the NPS. This certification is good for 3 years. Federally you must be 21 to be a law enforcement officer within the National Park Service.
Colorado Northwestern is currently holding two academies per year: spring and fall. Students will be enrolled in the college as well as the academy, but are not required to be part of a degree program. Additional courses and certificates are available to take during and after academy. These courses and certificates are not needed but are recommended. A typical day in the academy starts with physical fitness from 0530-0630, in class by 0750. After lunch, class will go until about 1700. This schedule is approximately 5 days a week. There will be some Saturday, Sunday and night classes.
NOTE: CNCC also now offers an option to receive an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) in Park Ranger Studies, which combines the NPS Park Ranger Academy certificate with recommended general education courses and electives. If you attend CNCC to get your A.A.S. in Park Ranger Studies, you will be taking courses that have been handpicked to prepare you for success in the academy. Additionally, should you take the ‘add-on’ courses we offer, Emergency Medical Responder, Basic Search & Rescue, Intro to Wildland Fire, and Wildland Firefighting, you will graduate CNCC not only with an A.A.S., and our competitive FLETC recognized NPS Park Ranger Academy certificate, you will also graduate with a certificate in Outdoor Emergency Medical & Wildland Firefighting that contains 4 additional industry certificates: EMR, NASAR II, S-190, and S-130. This entire package will help you succeed and advance in the NPS field immediately. If you already have a Bachelor’s degree, you may transfer your B.S. degree to CNCC making you eligible for the A.A.S. degree or the Outdoor Emergency Medical & Wildland Firefighting certificate. If you are interested in this option, please make sure your official transcripts have been received by our Registrar.
Course Schedule:
*Fall - August 17th - December 10th
*Spring - January 11th - May 4th
Applications are accepted up to one month before academy starts, later submissions require approval.
Note: In addition to applying to admission CNCC, applicants must apply for the academy. The supplemental application process cannot be done online, please contact academy staff for application. All recruits are accepted on a conditional basis pending successful background check and drug test.
- Supplemental Application Packet to include but not limited to:
- Personal statement
- Physical by licensed MD
- Copy of Driver’s License
- If a veteran: copy of DD214
- Brief employment history & experience
- Notarized Record Release form
- Notarized Open Record form
- Memorandum of Understanding for application and student handbook
*These schedules are tentative and can change without notice.
This program may have additional requirements necessary to obtain the industry/regulatory certificate as found on the following websites, and students are encouraged to review those requirements prior to enrollment.
National Park Ranger Academy, NPS (National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/seasonal-law-enforcement-training-program.htm
The Academy is eligible for FAFSA!
Please click here for the online application.
Academy Director
Charles D. Huyck
Office: (970) 675-3336
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Academy Coordinator
Kathy Kottenstette
Office: (970) 675-3337
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