Colorado computer training schools

Kerpoof.com, a creative platform for children acquired by Disney, has become a poster child for Colorado's nurturing communities of incubators that have made the Rocky Mountain winter sports mecca into a modern-day gold mine. Islands of entrepreneurship have spread beyond metropolitan Denver to areas like Aspen and Colorado Springs. IT touches a wide range of industries; for example, the software firm Aspenware works with clients such as Vail Resorts.

More than 5,500 software, hardware and IT services companies employed over 50,000 people in the state in 2010, according to the Colorado Technology Association. Colorado hosts companies developing diverse products such as printers, storage and geospatial intelligence. IBM, a Colorado force since the 1960s, is among the largest technology employers. HP, Colorado's first high tech manufacturer, remains a strong presence. JD Edwards, a software firm born in the state, retains a prominent Denver presence even after its acquisition, along with People Soft, by California-based Oracle, which also took over Sun Microsystems' local operations.

Colorado computer schools

Boulder, home of the University of Colorado, has attracted entrepreneurs and investors to create a mile-high version of Silicon Valley. Computer schools in Colorado are available to help fill positions at a large number of data centers for national companies operating in Colorado.

The University of Colorado and Colorado Technical University both provide degrees and classes in computer science and information technology. Computer classes in Colorado are also offered by private schools, on-campus and online. As just one example, New Horizons Colorado has classes on products from top vendors such as Microsoft and Cisco.

Colorado computer training and the outlook for tech jobs

Colorado is a state that values its tech specialties. It ranks high among other states for employment within the software publishing industry, according to a Tech America report. The mean annual wage in the state's computer and mathematical occupations was $81,510 in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yearly mean salaries in the IT industry here range from almost $56,000 for computer support specialists up to $100,000 for computer research scientists.