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Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration

Colorado civil service test guides

The Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration oversees the state's merit-based hiring system, with exams and job listings through the NEOGOV portal.

Colorado state employment for classified positions is governed by the Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA). The merit system requires competitive selection for most classified roles, and positions are listed through the official NEOGOV-powered careers portal.

Colorado uses a combination of exam-based and structured interview selection processes depending on the classification. Job announcements specify the examination method, subject areas, and any recommended preparation resources.

Official test guides index (all titles)Colorado Department of Personnel…

General

PDFs open in a new tab on the government website.

  • Colorado State Careers Portal

    Official job board for Colorado state government, listing open positions and exam announcements across all agencies.

    Visit portal →
  • Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration — HR

    State HR policies, classification and compensation plans, and the merit system framework for Colorado classified employees.

    Visit DPA →

State examination booklets

PDFs open in a new tab on the government website.

  • Colorado State Patrol — Trooper Careers

    Colorado State Patrol trooper application process, including written exam, physical ability test, and background screening steps.

    Visit CSP →

Local government booklets

PDFs open in a new tab on the government website.

  • Denver Career Service Authority

    Denver's Career Service Authority administers competitive hiring for city and county positions including police, fire, and civilian titles.

    Visit CSA →

Good to know

  • Colorado distinguishes between classified and at-will (exempt) state positions. Only classified positions are subject to the merit examination process.
  • Denver operates its own civil service system separate from the state; Denver police and fire exams are announced through the Career Service Authority.
  • Veterans preference applies to Colorado classified hiring for eligible veterans and surviving spouses.

Supplemental prep on this site

Our title-based guides explain merit-system hiring, what many exams emphasize, and study checklists. They do not replace your announcement or official state booklets.

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