How to become a security guard in Colorado
Here's exactly what Colorado requires, and the official portal to apply. Finish it and you can start getting booked on XGuard.
Colorado has no statewide guard license — check your city
Colorado has NO statewide security-guard licensing. HB21-1120 (2021) proposed a statewide system but did not establish one. Wherever your city has no ordinance, no license — state or local — is required; confirm directly with your local police department or city clerk.
- 1Confirm there is no statewide licenseColorado is one of roughly 9 states with no statewide security-guard licensing — regulation exists only at the city/county level.
- 2Check your specific city or countySome jurisdictions license guards (e.g. Denver, Colorado Springs) and some do not — confirm with your local police department or city clerk.
- 3If Denver: apply through Business LicensingComplete 16 hours of DPD-approved training, then apply for an individual Security Guard license online ($50 fee; renews annually with an 8-hour refresher).
- 4If Colorado Springs: apply through the City ClerkComplete an approved 8-hour Security Officer Training Program, then apply through the City Clerk's office (renews annually with 8 hours of training).
Colorado has no statewide business license for security companies — check your city
No statewide agency/business license exists in Colorado. This link (Denver) is the most substantial public example of a city-level 'security employer' licensing process, shown because Colorado has no state-level equivalent — your own city's rules may differ or may not exist at all.
- 1Confirm there is no statewide business licenseColorado has no state-level licensing authority for private security companies, so there is no statewide self-employed/sole-trader route to a security business license.
- 2Register your business normallyForm your business with the Colorado Secretary of State as you would any company (LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.) — this is general business registration, not a security-specific license.
- 3Check for a local security-employer licenseSome cities (e.g. Denver) separately license 'private security employers' in addition to individual guards — check whether your city requires this if you plan to run your own crew.
- 4Confirm locally before operatingIf your city has no such ordinance, you may be able to operate as a self-employed guard without any separate business/agency license — verify directly with your city clerk or police department.
Once you're licensed
Create your free XGuard profile now — upload your license the moment you have it, and we'll verify it and start matching you to paid security work near you.
Start your XGuard profileXGuard guides you to the official process; the state issues your license. Figures are sourced from official regulators and verified before publishing, but requirements can change — always confirm on the official portal linked above.