Hot Shot Driver Jobs in Colorado (January 2026)
Best Hot Shot Driver Jobs in Colorado
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There's a reason we're one of the world's leading authorities on the global freight market. Our expert team has an in-depth understanding of the industry and is up-to-date on employment trends, regulations, and other insights into the trucking workforce.
We conduct thorough research and data analysis to develop our recommendations for the best Hot Shot trucking jobs in Colorado. All 3 Hot Shot trucking companies are closely scrutinized based on their service range and capabilities. Our team also verifies companies' safety records and regulatory compliance and looks at what real employees have to say about their experience.
From there, we narrow the field to the strongest, highest-rated employers so you get a timely, well-informed list of the best Hot Shot trucking companies to work for in Colorado.
Apex Transportation, Inc.
9800 Alton Way, Henderson, CO, 80640- Salary range: $50,000-$60,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 52
- Trailers: 400
- Drivers: 43
- Revenue: $15,493,000
- Miles driven: 2,024,733 (2024)
Apex Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 652182) is a well-established trucking company located in Colorado. They carry a wide array of cargo, including agricultural and farm supplies, beverages, building materials, coal, dry bulk commodities, machinery, fresh produce, refrigerated foods, and more. This versatility allows them to cater to various industries. They hire a diverse range of drivers including regional, OTR, team, hazmat, and specialized drivers, ensuring a skilled workforce that can handle various transportation needs.
The company provides a commendable range of benefits to its drivers. With a strong focus on employee satisfaction, Apex offers health, dental, vision, and life insurance, alongside a gym membership and paid time off. Additional benefits include sign-on bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and a robust retirement plan. Drivers can enjoy the freedom of taking passengers and pets along, while also benefiting from flexible scheduling and guaranteed home time which adds to their work-life balance.
Apex Transportation, Inc. maintains a favorable reputation with an Indeed rating of 4.1. Positive reviews highlight the company's comprehensive benefits package, strong compensation, and supportive work culture. However, some employees have noted room for improvement in fleet assignment efficiency and workload management. Overall, Apex stands out as a reliable and employee-focused company dedicated to quality service and driver satisfaction.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Team
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- Freight hauler
- Intermodal
- LTL
- Expedited
- Heavy haul
- Vocational
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Gym membership
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 0.3
- Driver fitness: 0.11
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.72
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Associated Corporation
4833 South Front St Unit B295, Castle Rock, CO, 80104- Salary range: $60,000-$70,000
- Routes: intrastate non-hazardous
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 1
- Drivers: 1
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Associated Corporation (DOT: 1161729) is a well-regarded trucking company located in Colorado. With an official start date recorded in August 2003, the company has grown to specialize in carrying a wide range of cargo, including general freight, intermodal containers, and large machinery. They accommodate diverse cargo needs with their flexible resources, such as dry van, flatbed, reefer, and more innovative solutions like Conestoga, B-train, and step deck trailers. The company primarily employs drivers for roles such as regional, local, and over-the-road (OTR) drivers, including opportunities for team, flatbed, and reefer drivers.
Associated Corporation provides a compelling array of benefits to attract and retain its driving staff. These include direct deposit, competitive salaries ranging from $60,000 to $70,000, health insurance covering medical, dental, and vision, paid time off, safety bonuses, and tuition reimbursement. Additionally, the company supports the professional development of its employees through ongoing training and development programs. Flexibility in scheduling, guaranteed home time, and the option for a truck lease purchase program further underline the company's commitment to driver satisfaction.
On employee review platforms, Associated Corporation holds a favorable reputation with an Indeed rating of 4.0 and a Glassdoor rating of 4.2. Most employees praise the company for its compensation, benefits, and the supportive work culture. However, some feedback highlights challenges in maintaining work-life balance, indicating that while home time and route organization have room for improvement, the overall sentiment remains positive. The company's focus on employee well-being is reflected in its initiatives like gym memberships, rider or pet policies, and company uniforms.
```Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Team
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- Freight hauler
- Intermodal
- LTL
- Expedited
- Heavy haul
- Vocational
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Gym membership
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Preferred Cartage
108 North 6th Avenue, Greeley, CO, 80631- Routes: interstate
- Power units: 54
- Drivers: 65
- Revenue: $9,368,000
- Miles driven: 5,035,338 (2023)
Preferred Cartage (DOT: 659257) is a well-established freight and transportation company founded in 1992, based in Colorado. The company leverages their expansive fleet to transport a variety of cargo types, including agricultural and farm supplies, beverages, dry bulk commodities, fresh produce, meat, and more across state lines. They primarily utilize dry van and hot shot services and are particularly focused on general freight and fresh produce delivery. Preferred Cartage primarily hires regional and local drivers, with an emphasis on OTR and dedicated driving opportunities.
Employee benefits at Preferred Cartage are highlighted by health insurance offerings, although they do not currently provide dental or vision coverage. While the company does not offer a sign-on bonus or paid CDL training, they do support their drivers with fuel cards and other operational necessities. The company prioritizes driver safety, maintaining a satisfactory safety rating, and provides job stability within a reputable organization.
Preferred Cartage has a notable Glassdoor rating of 4.4, reflecting positively on their company culture and management. Employee reviews frequently commend the company for its solid pay and supportive work environment. However, areas for improvement noted by staff include the absence of flexible scheduling and guaranteed home time. On Indeed, Preferred Cartage scores 3.2, with feedback focusing on expectations around work-life balance and the desire for enhanced benefits packages. Despite these concerns, Preferred Cartage remains a competitive and well-regarded employer in the trucking industry.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Reefer
Benefits
- Health insurance
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 2.29
- Driver fitness: 0.04
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.43
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.26
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Comparing Hot Shot Driver Jobs in Colorado
| Company | Salary range | Tuition reimbursement | Paid CDL training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex Transportation, Inc. | $50,000-$60,000 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Associated Corporation | $60,000-$70,000 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Preferred Cartage | N/A | ✕ | ✕ |
FAQ
What do hot shot trucking jobs in Colorado involve?
Hot shot trucking usually means running smaller, time-sensitive loads on a pickup and gooseneck or flatbed trailer. You move freight that has to be delivered quickly, often on short notice, for customers like construction crews, oilfield sites or equipment suppliers.
If you like staying busy, planning your own days and working with lighter equipment than a full semi, hot shot trucking in CO can be a comfortable fit.
Do you need a CDL for hot shot jobs in Colorado?
Whether you need a CDL depends on the weight of your truck and trailer combination. Many hot shot setups in CO fall into Class A CDL territory because of the total weight. Smaller rigs may not require a CDL, but having one usually gives you more options and helps you qualify for better-paying loads.
How common are hot shot driving jobs in Colorado?
Hot shot work makes up a smaller share of the trucking market in Colorado. The state has 3 hot shot positions, and most fleets focus on other types of freight.
If you want this kind of work, you should target carriers and brokers that specialize in urgent or project-based loads.
Are hot shot loads in Colorado mostly local or regional?
Most hot shot freight in Colorado stays local or regional. Loads often move within a few hundred miles to support job sites, farms, shops and industrial customers. Longer runs do show up, but the core of hot shot work is shorter, time-sensitive routes that keep you moving and close to your customer base.
Are hot shot driving jobs with flexible schedules available in Colorado?
Flexible scheduling is available across many trucking companies in Colorado. A total of 10 employers list this benefit, which is more than the number of hot shot fleets. If you want both flexibility and hot shot freight, you may find strong options with larger carriers that operate several trailer types.
What kinds of companies run hot shot operations in Colorado?
Hot shot work in Colorado is often handled by very small fleets at this size. You are usually dealing with the owner or a single dispatcher, which keeps communication simple and decisions quick.
This setup tends to feel informal and flexible, but it also means fewer layers of support if something goes sideways.
What’s the hardest part of hot shot work in Colorado?
The tricky part is that the freight can be unpredictable. One week in CO you may have quick, easy runs, and the next week you might be juggling odd pickup times, tight delivery windows and last-minute changes. If you stay organized and keep your communication tight, you’ll handle the chaos a lot better.
Types of Trucking Jobs Available in Colorado
If you are considering different types of trucking jobs available in Colorado, aside from Hot Shot, here are other top options:
- Beverage Trucking Jobs in CO
- Box Truck Jobs in CO
- Drayage Trucking Jobs in CO
- Dry Bulk Trucking Jobs in
- Dry Van Trucking Jobs in CO
- Flatbed Trucking Jobs in CO
- Hopper Bottom Trucking Jobs in CO
- Intermodal Trucking Jobs in CO
- LTL Trucking Jobs in CO
- Parcel Delivery Driver Jobs in CO
- Pneumatic Trucking Jobs in CO
- Power Only Trucking Jobs in CO
- Reefer Trucking Jobs in CO
- Tanker Trucking Jobs in CO
- Best Trucking Companies in CO