Life at CDOT

CDOT’s employees across the state of Colorado support the CDOT purpose to save lives and make lives better by providing freedom, connection and experience through travel.  Our CDOT values of Safety, People, Integrity, Customer Service, Excellence and Accountability, and Respect guide how we approach work. Learn more about what it’s like to work at CDOT.

Who We Are

CDOT employs approximately 3,300 people who work in a variety of transportation professions, such as Maintenance, Environmental, Transit, Aeronautics, Traffic and Safety, Engineering, and Planning, as well as in support functions such as Accounting, Facilities, Government Relations, Public Relations, Administration and Human Resources.

CDOT is organized into five geographic regions. The CDOT Headquarters is located in Denver. Each region is managed by a Regional Transportation Director, who is responsible for the region’s day-to-day operations. 

What We Do

CDOT partners with city and county municipalities, state representatives, Colorado residents and private businesses to provide the best multi-modal transportation system. CDOT also supports public programs and safety initiatives, such as Teen Driving, Cone Zone, and The Heat is On, to increase transportation safety.

CDOT management and staff work closely with an 11-member, governor-appointed Transportation Commission to approve work and allocate funds for transportation projects.

The Colorado Department of Transportation oversees the state’s highways and bridges, as well as other transportation and aviation programs. Our mission is to provide the best multi-modal transportation system for Colorado that most effectively and safely moves people, goods and information. In good weather and in bad, our employees go the extra mile to ensure Colorado’s transportation system is in top-notch condition for the traveling public.

Learning Opportunities

CDOT offers its employees many opportunities to grow and develop in their chosen field.

  • The Office of Employee Development provides leadership and business skills training, supervisory classes, and a centralized learning management system.
  • The Maintenance and Operations Training team provides comprehensive training to our Maintenance employees.
  • Our Transportation Engineering Training Program offers a wide array of training on construction management, roadway and lighting design, environmental solutions and more.
  • The Education and Professional Development Reimbursement program offers full-time equivalent and permanent part-time employees reimbursement for earning a degree, earning a license or certification, or renewing professional memberships. Employees who have been employed with the State for at least 12 continuous months can be reimbursed 50% of their out of pocket costs up to a maximum of $2,000 per fiscal year. If your position requires you to hold a license or certification, CDOT reimburses 100% to renew or maintain the license or certification. This benefit is available on your date of hire.

Career Opportunities

Are you the right fit for CDOT? If you’re ready to make a difference in Colorado, then join the CDOT team. We offer a professional work environment with the opportunity for growth and development in your chosen career. Check out career opportunities on our Employment page.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Colorado Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that all employees should be treated fairly and consistently with dignity and respect. It is CDOT’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to disability, race, creed, color, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This policy relates to all phases of employment.

Having a workplace that attracts and supports diversity benefits the people of Colorado, our businesses and our employees. We believe each of our employees has the opportunity to realize their potential and contribute to our success.

Colorado WINS

The State recognizes Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions Local 1876 (COWINS) as the exclusive certified Employee Organization and collective bargaining representative for a single bargaining unit of all Employees who are employed in the personnel system of the State, except those excluded by the Act. COWINS represents Employees in the partnership process for the purpose of negotiating an Agreement over wages, hours and terms as well as conditions of employment. The Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Service Act was signed into law in June of 2020 and updated in 2024. 

Giving Back

Getting involved and giving back to CDOT and fellow employees is easy. Employees have the opportunity to volunteer for committees and organizations, such as:

Helping Hand

Helping Hand, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, provides financial assistance to CDOT employees and their families, including for CDOT employees who have been injured on the job or for surviving family members of CDOT employees who died in the line of duty.  Helping Hand also offers annual college scholarships. 

Colorado Combined Campaign

Through this workplace campaign, State of Colorado employees can donate to charities that benefit Coloradans.