I don't know where Thornton, CO is but if it is not in a pretty heavily populated area then instructors might be charging more than in a populated area where more instructors might be in competition and where an equally qualified instructor would be charging less. Around Tucson, classes are a pretty uniform $60 but most insist in a class size of 4 or some more to go ahead with the class, exam and range qualification. Some include fingerprinting in that fee, so do not ($5-$15).
Since I am not originally from Arizona, I sought out the most qualified instructor I could locate and he gave out lots of printed (and useful) information on state laws, where I could and could not carry, when lethal force was allowed or not. I easily got my money's worth and have good reference materials too.
Well, if a big population center where there may be competition among instructors is a long way off, your travel expenses may negate the value of making a trip but either way, I hope that after you complete the course, it will have been good enough that you will feel you actually received your money's worth.