Colorado has no state security guard license
Colorado does not issue a state license for security guards.1 Colorado has no statewide guard license; some cities license guards. Denver and Colorado Springs each require their own guard license and a licensed employer/agency; a license from one city does not cover the other. Aurora: no guard license found on the city license list.1
On this page
Is there a Colorado security guard license?
No. Colorado does not license security guards at the state level.1
The official wording“Overview. The bill would have established state-level regulation of private security services.”1
Colorado General Assembly, Legislative Council Staff
City and county licenses
Colorado has no statewide guard license; some cities license guards. Denver and Colorado Springs each require their own guard license and a licensed employer/agency; a license from one city does not cover the other. Aurora: no guard license found on the city license list.1
Other rules for security guards in Colorado
- Education or training
- 16 clock hours2
LOCAL (city license, not state): Denver: 16-hour course from an eligible training provider (duties, communication, interaction with law enforcement, use of force), within 60 days before applying.2
Who may teach it: Denver: only city-eligible training providers; an employer may train only if it is an eligible provider.2 - Education or training
- LOCAL (city license, not state): Colorado Springs: basic security guard training program covering ten topics with set minimum hours (e.g. use of force 1 h, legal limitations 1 h), passed at 75%.3
- Exam
- LOCAL (city license, not state): Colorado Springs basic training test (75% minimum)4
Passing score: 75%3 - Background check
- Background check required2
Fingerprints required2
Denver: affidavit of criminal and employment history (five years) used to assess good moral character.2 - Also required
- LOCAL (city license, not state): Denver: certificate of physical and mental fitness from a Colorado-licensed physician, PA or RN within 60 days.2
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $255 | City and County of Denver | LOCAL (city license, not state): Denver security guard, new |
| Initial license fee | $255 | City and County of Denver | LOCAL (city license, not state): Denver security guard, new |
| Duplicate or replacement license | $55 | City and County of Denver | LOCAL (city license, not state): Denver |
| Initial license fee | $1106 | City of Colorado Springs | LOCAL (city license, not state): Colorado Springs private security guard. Not refundable |
| Fingerprint and state background check | $76 | City of Colorado Springs | LOCAL (city license, not state): Colorado Springs |
| Additional license fee (if working for more than one agency) | $156 | – | LOCAL (city license, not state): Colorado Springs |
| Change of employer fee (if transferring to a new agency) | $156 | – | LOCAL (city license, not state): Colorado Springs |
| Duplicate or replacement license | $56 | – | LOCAL (city license, not state): Colorado Springs guard |
| Application fee | $1007 | City and County of Denver | LOCAL (city license, not state): Denver private security employer, 1-24 guards ($200 for 25+) |
| Initial license fee | $1007 | City and County of Denver | LOCAL (city license, not state): Denver private security employer, 1-24 guards ($200 for 25+) |
| Initial license fee | $1106 | City of Colorado Springs | LOCAL (city license, not state): Colorado Springs contract security agency |
Each line is a separate charge, listed by the city or county named in its notes; they are not added up.
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
Security guard licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- HB 25-1262 Final Fiscal Note (July 29, 2025)Colorado General Assembly, Legislative Council StaffDated July 29, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- FAQ security guardsCity and County of Denver, Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026
- Signed Ordinance 26-53 (Article 3 - Sales of Goods and Services)City of Colorado Springs, City CouncilChecked November 7, 2026
- Supplemental application security guardCity of Colorado Springs, Office of the City ClerkChecked November 7, 2026
- Security guard applicationCity and County of Denver, Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026
- Security LicenseCity of Colorado Springs, Office of the City ClerkChecked November 7, 2026
- New private security employer applicationCity and County of Denver, Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026