Colorado Machine Learning Masters Programs

Colorado is becoming a Mountain West AI leader, driven by major infrastructure investments, research excellence, and supportive policies.

• Colorado lawmakers are advancing legislation to offer nearly $17 million in incentives aimed at attracting data centers.
• Palantir’s establishment of a Denver headquarters is attracting top AI talent, supported by the state’s AI Workforce Initiative.

In academia, research at CU Boulder’s Center for AI Research and Colorado School of Mines advances autonomous systems and renewable energy forecasting.

Obviously, the need for AI specialists is growing. Below are some options to help you get started.

2026 Best Schools for Masters in Machine Learning Degrees in Colorado

Looking for the best schools for a Master's in Machine Learning in Colorado? mastersinmachinelearning.org has compiled rankings to help you choose. Colorado offers excellent programs that prepare you for a career in this fast-growing field. Our rankings are based on thorough research and criteria you can trust. Learn more about how we rank these schools by visiting our ranking methodology page.

#1

Colorado State University Global

Aurora, CO - Public 4-Year - csuglobal.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Online Learning - Visit Website

Colorado State University Global's online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is a 30-credit program priced at $675 per credit, with no out-of-state tuition fees. It focuses on practical skills in programming, AI, computer vision, and machine learning, preparing graduates for high-demand roles. The program is flexible, featuring 100% online asynchronous courses, 12 start dates yearly, and options to transfer up to 15 credits. Admission requires prerequisites in Discrete Mathematics and Probability and Statistics, but no entrance exam is specified or promoted as not required.

• 30 credit program.
• $675 per credit.
• 100% online.
• No out-of-state tuition.
• Flexible 8-week courses.
• 12 start dates yearly.
• Transfer up to 15 credits.
• Prerequisites in math required.
• Focus on AI and machine learning.
• Prepares for high-demand roles.

*Data provided by: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2023 collection.

Runner Up School

Where Are Machine Learning Professionals Working in Colorado?

Cloud Infrastructure & Data Centers – Colorado’s Front Range attracts major cloud investments, with Amazon Web Services’ $900 million Fort Collins data center expansion.

Aerospace & Defense – Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, and Northrop Grumman anchor Colorado’s $7.5 billion aerospace industry, employing ML engineers for satellite data processing, autonomous systems, and predictive analytics. The Space Force’s headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base drives demand for AI specialists working on space-based intelligence and orbital mechanics optimization.

Energy & Renewables – Colorado’s renewable energy leadership creates opportunities for ML professionals at companies like Xcel Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), focusing on smart grid optimization, wind and solar forecasting, and energy storage management. The state’s goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2040 fuels demand for predictive analytics expertise.

Enterprise Technology & Startups – Palantir Technologies’ Denver headquarters and Boulder innovation lab anchor a growing tech ecosystem, while companies like SendGrid (acquired by Twilio), Foundry, and WorldWide Technology hire ML engineers for data analytics platforms, customer intelligence, and enterprise AI solutions.

Financial Services – Denver’s position as a regional financial hub attracts companies like Charles Schwab, TIAA, and numerous fintech startups seeking ML talent for algorithmic trading, fraud detection, risk assessment, and personalized financial services.

Academic Research – University of Colorado Boulder’s Center for AI Research and Colorado School of Mines’ Machine Learning and Operations Research programs lead innovation in autonomous systems, renewable energy forecasting, and quantum computing applications, creating research opportunities alongside industry partnerships.

More Resources for Local Machine Learning Jobs

• Colorado Machine Learning Jobs | LinkedIn
• Colorado Technology Association
• Boulder Startup Week | AI & ML Events
• Denver AI/ML Meetup Groups

Who’s Hiring Machine Learning Engineers in Colorado?

Colorado’s thriving tech ecosystem offers diverse opportunities for machine learning professionals across industries, from defense contractors to consumer marketplace companies. Based on a review of Indeed and Ziprecruiter listings, here’s what employers are paying and what they’re looking for in 2025.

High-Paying Staff and Senior Roles ($150K-$280K)

Angi leads compensation at $200,000-$280,000 for their Staff Machine Learning Engineer position in Denver. They’re seeking candidates with 7+ years of experience to develop search ranking and recommendation algorithms for their home services marketplace. The role requires expertise in TensorFlow, PyTorch, large-scale distributed systems, and the ability to mentor junior engineers while driving technical vision.

A Place For Mom offers $150,000-$170,000 plus 20% bonus for their Staff Machine Learning Engineer role. This senior care advisory service needs candidates with 8+ years of experience in XGBoost, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and AWS services. The position involves owning the full ML lifecycle from data exploration to production deployment, with emphasis on real-time inference systems and model monitoring.

Havenly, the Denver-based interior design platform, pays $160-$190 per day (approximately $166,000-$197,000 annually) for Machine Learning Engineers. They require expertise in image processing, recommendation systems, and cloud platforms (GCP/AWS), specifically seeking candidates who can work with visual data to enhance customer experiences in home design.

Defense and Aerospace Opportunities ($115K-$209K)

General Atomics in Boulder offers $116,000-$209,000 for Machine Learning Engineer III positions focused on autonomous aerial systems. They seek candidates with advanced degrees and 3-5 years of experience in computer vision, time series analysis, and reinforcement learning. The role involves developing AI solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles and requires ability to obtain DoD security clearance.

ARKA Group provides $135,000-$180,000 for Senior AI/ML Engineers in Aurora, requiring active TS/SCI security clearance. They need expertise in TensorFlow, Spark, Python, and database design for classified defense projects. The position includes comprehensive benefits and focuses on AI applications for national security.

Nou Systems in Colorado Springs offers $80,000-$115,000 for junior Machine Learning Engineers with 1-3 years of experience. This defense contractor seeks candidates with PyTorch, TensorFlow, or Jax experience who can obtain Secret clearance. The role involves developing ML solutions for missile defense, cybersecurity, and space control applications.

Energy and Traditional Industries ($119K-$140K)

bp in Denver pays $119,000-$140,000 for Machine Learning Engineers to implement data science models in their oil and gas operations. They require 7+ years of experience with 3+ years in MLOps, strong Python skills, and AWS cloud experience. The role involves working with real-time streaming data and Snowflake data warehouses to optimize energy production.

IUNU in Littleton seeks Machine Learning Engineers for agricultural technology applications. While salary wasn’t specified, they require 3-5 years of experience in deep learning, Python, Java, and R, focusing on AI-driven greenhouse solutions for crop optimization and environmental impact reduction.

Remote and Contract Opportunities ($40-$190/hour)

DataAnnotation offers $40+ per hour for remote Machine Learning Engineer positions training AI chatbots. This contract role requires proficiency in Python or JavaScript, bachelor’s degree, and strong writing skills. Candidates can work 5-40 hours weekly on coding problems and AI model evaluation.

Common Requirements Across All Employers

Technical Skills: Python programming appears in every job posting, with TensorFlow and PyTorch being the most requested frameworks. SQL proficiency and cloud experience (AWS, GCP) are nearly universal requirements.

Education: Most positions require bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields, with senior roles preferring master’s or Ph.D. degrees. However, equivalent work experience is often accepted.

Experience Levels: Entry-level positions start at 1-3 years of experience, while staff roles require 7+ years. MLOps expertise is increasingly important for mid-to-senior level positions.

Security Clearances: Defense contractors like ARKA Group, General Atomics, and Nou Systems require or prefer security clearances, which can significantly impact earning potential.

Soft Skills: Every employer emphasizes communication abilities, teamwork, and the capacity to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Colorado’s machine learning job market reflects the state’s diverse economy, offering opportunities from cutting-edge autonomous systems development to consumer marketplace optimization. The salary ranges demonstrate strong demand for ML talent, with premium compensation for candidates who can combine technical expertise with business acumen and cross-functional collaboration skills.