Locum CRNA Jobs in Colorado

What Life Is Like in the State of Colorado

Colorado offers an appealing blend of high-altitude mountain towns, fast-growing urban centers, rural plains communities, and world-class outdoor recreation. For CRNAs working locum tenens assignments, the state provides a wide range of clinical environments—from major academic hospitals in Denver and Aurora to mid-sized regional centers along the Front Range, mountain hospitals serving tourism-driven populations, and rural critical access facilities scattered across the eastern plains and Western Slope. Colorado’s unique geography, strong healthcare infrastructure, and ongoing provider shortages in certain regions create steady locum opportunities with meaningful case variety and lifestyle benefits.

1. CRNA Work Environment

• Diverse Practice Settings:
  • CRNAs in Colorado work within major systems such as UCHealth, Centura Health (now CommonSpirit), SCL Health/Intermountain, Denver Health, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Boulder Community Health, and numerous independent hospitals and critical access facilities statewide.
  • Assignments may include high-acuity academic hospitals in the Denver metro area; community hospitals along the Front Range; outpatient surgical centers in Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs; and remote mountain or plains hospitals that rely heavily on temporary coverage.
  • Because of the state’s rapid population growth, expanding suburban corridors, and rural workforce shortages, locum CRNAs frequently find openings that span surgical specialties, procedural settings, and unique geographic needs.
• Supervision Model & Scope:
  • Colorado is an opt-out state, meaning CRNAs may practice without physician supervision when facilities choose to grant autonomy. Many rural hospitals allow CRNAs to work independently or with broad clinical decision-making privileges.
  • Larger urban and academic hospitals often operate under collaborative or team-based models, with anesthesiologists involved in complex or high-risk cases and CRNAs providing hands-on anesthesia care throughout the perioperative continuum.
  • The Colorado Association of Nurse Anesthetists (COANA) supports scope-of-practice protections, legislative advocacy, and educational initiatives that promote safe, efficient utilization of CRNAs across the state.
• Locum Demand & Case Mix:
  • Colorado maintains steady locum demand due to population growth, competitive staffing in metro hospitals, seasonal surgical volume peaks, and recruitment challenges in rural communities.
  • Case mix varies widely: urban centers feature trauma, cardiac, neuro, thoracic, vascular, OB, pediatrics, and oncology, while community hospitals emphasize general surgery, ortho, ENT, GI, and routine OB.
  • Mountain and resort-area hospitals serve fluctuating populations tied to tourism seasons, often resulting in high volumes of orthopedic injuries, trauma, and urgent procedures during peak months.

2. Colorado Licensing & Travel Notes

• Licensure: CRNAs must hold a Colorado RN license and CRNA certification recognized by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Colorado is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), simplifying RN licensing for eligible providers.
• Turnaround Time: Processing times are generally moderate, though background checks and verification steps can extend timelines. Compact-eligible providers experience faster onboarding.
• Malpractice Coverage: Most locum agencies provide claims-made malpractice policies. Rural hospitals may have unique coverage requirements, especially if CRNAs function with independent responsibilities.
• Nearest Airports: Denver International Airport (DEN) serves most of the state; Colorado Springs (COS), Grand Junction (GJT), Durango (DRO), and Aspen (ASE) provide regional access for remote assignments.
• Travel Considerations: Winter storms, mountain passes, altitude changes, and seasonal tourism can significantly affect travel times, requiring flexible planning during locum assignments.

3. Cost of Living

• Housing & Short-Term Stays:
  • Costs are highest in Denver, Boulder, Aspen, Vail, and other mountain towns. These areas may require strategic housing arrangements such as extended-stay hotels, shared rentals, or employer-subsidized lodging.
  • More affordable housing is available in cities like Colorado Springs, Greeley, Pueblo, and many plains communities, making locum assignments in these regions more financially favorable.
  • Peak tourism seasons in mountain towns can make short-term housing scarce or expensive; booking well in advance is essential.
• Everyday Expenses:
  • Groceries, dining, and utilities in the Denver metro area trend above national averages; rural communities tend to be more affordable but may have limited options.
  • Parking costs vary widely, with urban medical centers charging premium rates and suburban or rural hospitals offering free, convenient parking.
• Financial Trade-Offs:
  • Locum CRNA pay in Colorado is generally strong, especially in rural hospitals, Western Slope facilities, and mountain regions seeking seasonal support.
  • Assignments that include housing stipends or travel assistance significantly improve net earnings, particularly in higher-cost mountain communities.

4. Major Cities & Assignment Locations

• Denver Metro (Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Englewood):
  • The Denver area includes major academic and research hospitals such as UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, Denver Health, and Children’s Hospital Colorado.
  • Locum CRNAs here encounter complex surgical services, trauma cases, transplant programs, and specialized cardiac and neuro care.
  • Suburban hospitals and ASCs maintain steady volumes of general surgery, ortho, GI, OB, and ambulatory procedures.
• Boulder & Northern Colorado (Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland):
  • Boulder Community Health and UCHealth’s northern campuses provide a mix of community hospital, specialty surgery, and high-volume outpatient cases.
  • Assignments often include general surgery, ortho, OB, ENT, GI, and occasional higher-acuity cases depending on the facility.
  • These growing communities offer consistent volume and strong demand for temporary staffing.
• Colorado Springs & Southern Corridor:
  • Colorado Springs hosts major systems such as UCHealth Memorial Hospital, Penrose-St. Francis, and regional surgical centers.
  • Assignments include a well-balanced mix of general surgery, ortho, OB, and trauma, with growing outpatient surgical volume driven by population expansion.
• Western Slope (Grand Junction, Montrose, Durango):
  • These communities rely on multi-specialty hospitals and regional medical centers that frequently require locum coverage due to recruitment challenges.
  • CRNAs may encounter a broad generalist case mix with occasional call coverage responsibilities and flexible practice expectations.
• Mountain & Resort Regions (Vail, Aspen, Steamboat Springs, Summit County):
  • Mountain hospitals serve residents and heavy tourist populations, especially during ski season.
  • Assignments may include orthopedic trauma tied to skiing injuries, general surgery, OB, and emergency cases influenced by seasonal surges.
  • Housing availability can be limited and expensive, making stipends or employer-arranged lodging extremely valuable.
• Rural Plains & Frontier Communities:
  • Small hospitals across the eastern plains and remote Western Slope communities depend heavily on locum CRNAs to maintain surgical access.
  • CRNAs in these settings may have broader autonomy, more call responsibility, and a strong sense of community reliance.

5. Lifestyle & Recreation

• Outdoor Activities:
  • Colorado is renowned for outdoor recreation including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, and climbing.
  • Access to national parks, mountain ranges, and open spaces creates exceptional opportunities for locums seeking adventure between shifts.
• Cultural Access:
  • Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs offer vibrant arts, dining, sports, and cultural events.
  • Smaller towns host local festivals, farmers markets, and seasonal events throughout the year.
• Climate:
  • Colorado’s climate varies from semi-arid plains to alpine mountain environments.
  • Snow, ice, wildfire smoke, and elevation changes may influence travel and scheduling, especially in mountain regions.

6. Things CRNAs Should Know

• Transportation & Commuting:
  • A personal vehicle is generally required for locum assignments, particularly outside major cities.
  • Mountain passes may close or experience challenging conditions in winter; travel planning is essential for safe and timely commuting.
• Scheduling & Workload:
  • Urban hospitals may offer high-acuity, fast-paced environments with busy OR schedules and complex cases.
  • Rural hospitals may require CRNAs to manage a wider case spectrum, take call, and handle urgent cases with fewer onsite resources.
• Practice Culture & Onboarding:
  • Credentialing is typically efficient but may involve detailed background checks and immunization requirements.
  • Clarifying expectations regarding autonomy, on-call duties, and procedural responsibilities supports smooth integration, especially in opt-out settings.
• Professional Community:
  • Colorado CRNAs are part of a well-organized professional network supported by COANA, which provides advocacy, educational programs, and statewide engagement.
  • Locums who develop familiarity with Colorado systems often secure recurring assignments due to the state’s consistent need for experienced anesthesia providers.