Police Officer- Lateral

Lateral Police Officer – Hayden Police Department (Hayden, Colorado)

If you like being a true generalist—patrol, investigations, and owning your case from the first call to the courtroom— Hayden PD is hiring lateral officers.

• $41.49 – $56.14 per hour (DOE)

• 100% employer-paid medical/dental/vision for employee and family
• 401(a) CRA retirement with match up to 7%, plus 457 and Roth options
• 120 hours vacation + 96 hours sick annually (increases with longevity)
• 480-hour family leave plan (separate from PTO/sick)
• Tuition reimbursement ($2,000/year after 1 year)
• Multi-language stipend (up to $60/month per language)
• Free family gym membership (Hayden Center)

Hayden, Colorado, sits in the heart of the Yampa Valley, offering small-town living with big access to the outdoors—and you’re about 25 miles (~30–35 minutes) from Steamboat Springs.

When you’re off shift, you’re minutes from public-land recreation and year-round activities:

• Water recreation & fishing:
  Access to the Yampa River for fishing and floating opportunities, plus nearby state-park access points.
• Elkhead Reservoir State Park: A 900acre reservoir with boating, swimming, camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and excellent angling—often cited as less than 30 minutes from Hayden.
• Hiking, biking, and trail time:
  The valley and surrounding public lands offer endless options for day hikes, mountain biking, and scenic drives, with quick access to Routt County trail systems and Steamboat’s extensive outdoor scene.
• Winter recreation:
  When the snow hits, the region opens up for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding, with Steamboat’s winter amenities close by.

Bottom line:
Hayden gives you the pace of a mountain valley community, with easy access to Steamboat’s world-class recreation—without having to live in the middle of the bustle.

Colorado POST certification, or out-of-state certification, with the ability to obtain Colorado Provisional Certification prior to appointment

At least 1 year of sworn law enforcement experience as a solo patrol officer