Mon - Sat: 8:30-18:00
Lifeguard Class in Larimer County Colorado
Last updated
Lifeguard Class in Larimer County Colorado runs as a blended course, with online coursework followed by in-person water skills sessions.
Lifeguard certification in Larimer County, Colorado at a glance
Lifeguard certification in Larimer County, Colorado starts at $195.00 and takes 7.5 online hours are followed by 2 days of in-person training. You must be at least 15 years old and swim 300 yards continuously to qualify.
- Cost
- Prices begin at $195.00 per person, and groups are discounted.
- Course length
- 7.5 online hours are followed by 2 days of in-person training.
- Minimum age
- You must have turned 15 by the final day of class.
- Swim test
- Front crawl and breaststroke across 300 continuous yards, a 2 minute armless tread, and a 10-lb brick carried back from 7 to 10 feet within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
- Certifications
- It covers Lifeguarding, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid.
- Valid for
- Certification lasts two years from the issue date; renewal is 10 hours of in-person training.
- Format
- Blended delivery: self-paced online coursework followed by in-person skills sessions held in Larimer County, Colorado.
A Lifeguard Class in Larimer County Colorado takes a candidate from no certification at all to a card a facility will accept. Fort Collins is where most of the county aquatic hiring happens. The course costs $195 and finishes with a lifeguard certification card.
New candidates and lapsed guards sit the course together. The course works through CPR, AED, First Aid, surveillance practice, emergency response and water rescue. Open water covers 38 square miles of the county, which shapes where guards end up working.
Most people book a date in Larimer County and are working not long after. Online registration is all that is needed, along with a swimsuit and a towel on the day.
Locations for Lifeguard classes in Colorado
- Lifeguard classes in Chaffee County
- Lifeguard classes in Dolores County
- Lifeguard classes in Kit Carson County
- Lifeguard classes in La Plata County
- Lifeguard classes in Lake County
- Lifeguard classes in Las Animas County
- Lifeguard classes in Lincoln County
- Lifeguard classes in Otero County
- Lifeguard classes in Routt County
- Lifeguard classes in Yuma County
- See all 64 counties in Colorado
Training Photo Gallery
How to register for your Larimer County class
Choose your approved provider:
- American Aquatics and Safety Training
Enrolment is open now, and seasonal demand means seats go fast. Reserve early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Two years.
No. In-person skills evaluation is required.
Yes. Employers across Larimer County, Colorado accept these certifications.
Applications can begin as soon as the digital card is issued.
Where lifeguards work in Larimer County
Public mapping records 12 named aquatic facilities in Larimer County. Among the sites listed there are 6 beaches and open-water sites, 5 public pools and swim clubs and 1 community or club pool. Open water dominates that list: beaches and waterfront sites outnumber pools and aquatic centers among the recorded venues in Larimer County. Waterfront postings normally require a minimum age of 16.
Aquatic facilities in Larimer County
- Lake Loveland Swim beach
- Carter Lake Swim Beach
- Dixon Reservoir Beach
- Willows Landing
- Mussel Beach
- Heron Cove
- Village Green Pool and Tennis Association
- Berthoud Swimming Pool
- City Park Pool
- Mulberry Pool
- Dorsey Pool
- Observatory Village Pool
Listed for orientation only. American Aquatics and Safety Training is not affiliated with, and does not run classes at, the facilities above.
Counties near Larimer County
These are the closest counties we also cover, spanning 2 states. Certification is approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, so it stays valid if you take a job in any of them.
Lifeguard class in Larimer County Colorado: common questions
Where can I take lifeguard training in Larimer County, Colorado?
American Aquatics and Safety Training runs blended lifeguard certification for candidates across Larimer County. The county's largest communities are Fort Collins, Loveland and Berthoud, and most candidates travel from those areas for the in-water portion. Coursework is completed online first, then the rescue skills, CPR/AED and First Aid sessions are done in person with an instructor.
How much does lifeguard certification cost in Larimer County?
The complete certification is $195.00 and bundles water rescue, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid together. If you only need one component renewed, CPR/AED alone is $25.00 and First Aid alone is $19.99.
Will I be guarding a pool or open water in Larimer County?
Mostly open water. Beaches and waterfront sites outnumber pools among the recorded venues in Larimer County. Waterfront postings usually set the minimum age at 16. Named sites in Larimer County include Lake Loveland Swim beach, Carter Lake Swim Beach and Dixon Reservoir Beach. Whether a certification is accepted for waterfront or surf positions depends on the employer and, in some states, on state rules, so check the posting before you apply. Surf beaches often run their own qualifying test.
How old do I need to be to become a lifeguard in Colorado?
For pool work the common requirement is age 15 by the course end date, rising to 16 or older for waterfront and beach positions. Employers in Larimer County sometimes set a higher minimum, so confirm against the posting before you register.
What swim test do I have to pass?
Expect a continuous 300 yard swim, 2 minutes of legs-only treading, and a 10-pound brick recovered from between 7 and 10 feet. It is the first thing that happens in person, so be ready for the water on arrival.
Which communities in Larimer County does training cover?
Candidates commonly travel from Fort Collins (170,376 residents), Loveland (79,352 residents) and Berthoud (12,976 residents). Fort Collins is the largest community in the county, and certification is approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, so it stays valid if you take a job in a neighboring county or another state.
Facility data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Lifeguarding in Larimer County: the local picture
About 370,771 people live in Larimer County. That makes it the 7th most populated of the 64 counties in Colorado. At 143 people per square mile it is a rural county, where a small number of public pools and open water sites carry the whole season.
Larimer County holds 38 square miles of water, about 1.5% of the county. That ranks it 1st of 64 in the state for water area. With water that limited, almost all guarding here is pool based, which is the setting the standard certification covers.
Work tends to concentrate in Fort Collins (170,376), Loveland (79,352), Berthoud (12,976), Wellington (12,078). Facilities in the larger of these usually recruit earliest, often before the season starts.
Aquatic sites recorded in Larimer County
- Beaches and waterfront: Lake Loveland Swim beach, Carter Lake Swim Beach, Dixon Reservoir Beach, Willows Landing, Mussel Beach, Heron Cove
- Pools: Village Green Pool and Tennis Association, Berthoud Swimming Pool, City Park Pool, Mulberry Pool, Dorsey Pool
- Private: Observatory Village Pool
Candidates in Larimer County often travel for a class date that fits. The nearest county pages are Boulder County, Grand County, Jackson County, Weld County.
The parts that do not change by county are held on their own pages: certification details, who pays for a class, refunds and rescheduling, and every area covered.
What students say
4.8 out of 5 ★★★★½ from 336 verified students who completed a course with us.
- ★★★★★
The course was excellent.
Christopher N., August 2023 - ★★★★★
It would be good if we have same instructors over
Jake S., August 2023 - ★★★★★
very interesting and fun to learn
Sienna I., July 2023 - ★★★★★
Make sure pool is available at all times.
Jonah G., July 2023 - ★★★★★
Comprehensive
Frederick A., July 2023 - ★★★★★
Very informed
Miara B., July 2023
What pools, beaches and aquatic facilities are in Larimer County Colorado?
12 aquatic facilities are on record in Larimer County Colorado:
- Lake Loveland Swim beach (beach)
- Carter Lake Swim Beach (beach)
- Dixon Reservoir Beach (beach)
- Willows Landing (beach)
- Mussel Beach (beach)
- Heron Cove (beach)
- Village Green Pool and Tennis Association (pool)
- Berthoud Swimming Pool (pool)
- City Park Pool (pool)
- Mulberry Pool (pool)
- Dorsey Pool (pool)
- Observatory Village Pool (private club)
Facilities are listed to show the kind of aquatic sites operating locally. Listing does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, the operator.
Reviewed by Jackie Stern, Lifeguard Instructor, Firefighter and EMT. Jackie Stern has taught lifeguarding for more than 20 years and works as a firefighter, EMT and swim instructor. She reviews course content, prerequisites and rescue standards against current certification requirements.
About Us
We are a nonprofit that trains and certifies in Lifeguarding, Waterfront Lifeguarding, Junior Lifeguarding, Shallow Pool Lifeguarding, Sexual Harassment Training, CPR/AED, CPR for Lifeguards, First Aid Emergency Oxygen, and swimming lessons.
© Copyright American Aquatics and Safety Training. All Rights Reserved