Colorado · Ortho PA placement
Orthopedic PA jobs and hiring in Denver and the Front Range
In short
FirstAssistPA places orthopedic PAs in Denver and along the Front Range, from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, permanent or on 3 to 6 month W-2 contracts. Colorado PAs work under collaborative agreements, which stay supervisory until a PA has 5,000 practice hours (or 3,000 in a new practice area), so an experienced ortho PA and a new grad are different hires. Your first placement is free.
Hiring an ortho PA in Denver and the Front Range
The Front Range is a long corridor, and a Denver role draws on a different pool from one in Colorado Springs or Fort Collins. The metro has several state-designated Level I trauma centers, and many ortho groups take call at one of them.
Colorado changed its PA law in 2023 (SB23-083). PAs now practice under collaborative agreements instead of supervision, but the agreement works as a supervisory one until the PA has 5,000 practice hours, or 3,000 hours in a new practice area. A PA switching into ortho from another specialty falls under that second rule, which matters for how you structure the first year.
What to plan for
- The PA's practice hours overall and in ortho. They decide whether the agreement is collaborative or supervisory.
- A Colorado license. Colorado has joined the PA Licensure Compact, but compact privileges aren't projected until early 2027.
- Which trauma center the call covers, and hospital privileges there.
- Whether the role also covers the mountains in ski season.
Trauma centers in the area
Adult Level I trauma centers on the Front Range, from the Colorado state designation list. Several Level II centers are on the same list.
| Hospital | City | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Health Medical Center | Denver | Level I |
| University of Colorado Hospital (Anschutz) | Aurora | Level I |
| HCA HealthONE Swedish | Englewood | Level I |
| St. Anthony Hospital | Lakewood | Level I |
| Medical Center of the Rockies | Loveland | Level I |
| UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central | Colorado Springs | Level I |
Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, designated trauma facilities, checked September 24, 2026. Designations change; confirm with the hospital.
Colorado PA rules, in brief
A high-level summary for planning a hire, not legal advice. Each point links to its source.
- Since SB23-083 (2023), Colorado PAs practice under a collaborative agreement rather than physician supervision. SB23-083
- For a PA with fewer than 5,000 practice hours, or fewer than 3,000 hours in a new practice area, the collaborative agreement works as a supervisory agreement. That matters when you hire a new grad or someone new to ortho. SB23-083
- In the emergency department of a Level I or II trauma center, the agreement stays supervisory indefinitely. SB23-083
- Colorado is a member of the PA Licensure Compact. The Compact projects that privileges to practice will become available in early 2027; until then, a PA needs a Colorado license. PA Compact FAQ
What PAs are paid in Denver and the Front Range
Government data for all physician assistants, not ortho specifically. Use it as an anchor, then adjust for first assist, call and experience. The U.S. median was $135,880 (May 2025).
| Area | Median | Mean | 10th to 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial (metro) | $134,540$64.68/hr | $141,060 | $105,560 to $175,590 |
| Boulder (metro) | $136,540$65.64/hr | $144,850 | $114,090 to $179,920 |
| Colorado Springs (metro) | $135,200$65.00/hr | $137,760 | $104,990 to $163,990 |
| Colorado, statewide | $134,540$64.68/hr | $139,580 | $104,590 to $174,090 |
BLS publishes the same median for Denver and for Colorado as a whole; the means and percentiles differ.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, Physician Assistants (29-1071), May 2025 estimates.
For practices and for PAs
Hiring in Denver?
Permanent, 3 to 6 month contract (locum) or per diem. Your first placement is free, and if you aren't happy with the PA we place, we find a replacement at no cost.
Ortho PA looking in Denver?
Free, ortho-only matching. We negotiate rate, stipend and schedule, and never send your CV without asking.
Questions about Denver
Do Colorado PAs need physician supervision?
Since SB23-083 (2023), Colorado PAs practice under collaborative agreements. For a PA with fewer than 5,000 practice hours, or fewer than 3,000 hours in a new practice area, the collaborative agreement is a supervisory agreement.
Can a PA use the PA Licensure Compact to work in Colorado?
Not yet. Colorado is a member of the PA Licensure Compact, but the Compact projects that privileges to practice will be available in early 2027. Until then, a PA needs a Colorado license.
Do you place orthopedic PAs in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins?
Yes. We place along the whole Front Range, including Boulder, Aurora, Colorado Springs, Loveland and Fort Collins.
What does FirstAssistPA charge to place an orthopedic PA in Denver and the Front Range?
Nothing for your first placement, permanent or contract. If you aren't happy with the PA we place, for any reason, we find a replacement at no cost. PAs never pay a fee.