Private Security Employers

You can access the online application by clicking on the blue buttons on the right-hand side of this page.

A Private Security Employer applicant can check the status of an application at any time through the online application portal. Please download our Application Status Check-In Guide(PDF, 457KB) for step by step instructions.

We strongly recommend using Google Chrome or Safari browsers to complete the online application.

Security Guards will need to provide a Certificate of Security Guard Training Completion when they submit their licensing application. Be advised that only listed Eligible Training Providers can provide this certificate. Holding a Private Security Employer  license does not  automatically enable you to issue these certificates.

We recommend that all private security employers start their application by downloading our New Private Security Employer Online Application Guide(PDF, 2MB).

We recommend that all private security employers start their renewal application by downloading our Renewal Private Security Employer Online Application Guide(PDF, 1MB).

You can access a full list of FAQs and Application User Guides that walk you through the online application process here.

A private security employer applicant can check the status of an application at any time through the online application portal. Please download our Application Status Check-In Guide(PDF, 457KB) for step by step instructions.

Before beginning your online application, please take the following actions:

1. Read the ordinance(PDF, 274KB) and rules(PDF, 269KB) governing private security employer licenses to ensure that this license is right for you.
2. Obtain a certificate of insurance demonstrating minimum insurance coverage (refer to our FAQs for specific details). If you will be seeking a vehicle endorsement, you will also need automobile liability insurance.
3. Determine the individual(s) you will designate as your general manager(s) responsible for overseeing your Denver guards and for serving as a direct contact for the Denver Police should they need to discuss any specific incident. General managers will either need to provide a Denver security guard license or an FBI background check and an Affidavit of Criminal Employment and History(PDF, 869KB) upon registration.
4. Start gathering all of the required documents listed in the next section of this website. Make sure the documents are filled out completely and uploaded onto your computer. Note that some documents may take several days to obtain, such as an FBI background check .
5. Ensure that you have a banking account, Mastercard, Visa, or Discover card that you can use to pay online.
6. Start your application!

Upon application, if you employ 1-24 guards in Denver you will need to pay a $100 application fee and a $100 license fee OR if you employ 25 or more guards in Denver, you will  need to pay a $200 application fee and a $200 license fee. These fees can be paid with a bank account or a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover Card.

The following documents are required upon application.

All Private Security Employers

• Declaration of Uniform Design(PDF, 1010KB) completed within the last 60 days.
• Certificate of Insurance or comparable proof of insurance.  
  • Employer's Liability Insurance - minimum $100,000
  • General Liability Insurance - minimum $1,000,000 combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per occurrence
  • Worker's Compensation Insurance - minimum $100,000
• General Manager Information:
  • For each General Manager, a copy of his or her Valid State or Federally Issued Identification 
  • EITHER a copy of his or her Valid Denver Security Guard License  OR 
  • An Affidavit of Criminal and Employment History(PDF, 869KB) and an FBI Background check ran within the past 60 days

Additional for a Vehicle Endorsement

• Automobile Liability Insurance
• A Request for Vehicle Endorsement(PDF, 900KB) completed within the last 60 days.

Additional for a Weapons Endorsement

• A Request for Weapons Endorsement(PDF, 942KB) completed within the last 60 days.

NOTE - Excise and Licenses will strive to process any application for a new private security employer license within 7 business days. The application review process may take longer if the application is found to be incomplete.

The application process for a new private security employer license is as follows:

1. The applicant submits an application online. All required documents must be uploaded before the application is submitted.
2. Excise and Licenses will review the application and supporting documents for completeness. If the application is found to be incomplete, a "notice of deficiency" email will be sent to the applicant allowing 14 days for corrections.
3. A police review will be required for all private security employer applications. If the police require additional information, a "notice of deficiency" email will be sent to the applicant allowing 14 days to upload the requested information.
4. If the applicant is found to be eligible for licensing, the private security employer's professional license will be emailed to applicant, allowing the private security employer to immediately start hiring. 
5. The private security employer should read the section below titled 'Once You Have Your License' and be sure to adhere to each of the specified requirements of licensing.

Termination or changes in employment

Whenever the employment of a security guard is terminated for any reason, the employer must file an online license amendment application notifying Excise and Licenses of the change within 72 hours of such termination.

Requirement to Notify the Department of Convictions or Use of Force Resulting in Bodily Harm

If a guard is convicted of a crime or engages in the use of force which results in bodily harm, they must file an online amendment application notifying Excise and Licenses within 72 hours.

Requirement to Keep Contact Information Up to Date

If a personal security employer's contact information changes (place of business, general manager, etc) they must file an online amendment application notifying Excise and Licenses of the change within 72 hours.

Requirement to Renew Annually

Professional licenses and any accompanying endorsements expire annually. It is unlawful for a private security employer to hire or employ security guards while their license is expired. Renewal applications must be filed online with Excise and Licenses before a license expires.

When to Renew

You can renew your Private Security Employer License as early as 60 days before the expiration date. You should receive an e-mail notification when your renewal period opens.

How to Renew

Use the link HERE or on the right hand side of this page to access our online licensing portal. On the "Welcome" page, select "Renew or Manage" action under Business Licensing. On the "My Licenses" page, select the "Renew Application" action for the license you wish to update, and then follow the prompts.

Upon renewal, you will need to pay either a $100 license fee (1-24 security guards) or a $200 license fee (25 or more security guards). This fee can be paid with a bank account or a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover Card.

The following documents are required upon application.

All Private Security Employers

• A Certificate of Insurance or comparable proof of insurance covering at a minimum:
  • Employer's Liability Insurance    
  • General Liability Insurance
  • Worker's Compensation Insurance
• General Manager Information
  • Individual(s) you designate as responsible for overseeing your Denver security guards and for serving as a direct contact for the Denver Police should they need to discuss any specific incident.
  • For each General Manager, a copy of his or her Valid State or Federally Issued Identification (i.e. driver's license, passport, etc.)
  • EITHER a copy of his or her Valid Denver Security Guard License OR an Affidavit of Criminal and Employment History(PDF, 869KB) and an FBI Background check ran within the past 60 days
• Uniform Design Documents
  • Declaration of Uniform Design(PDF, 1010KB) completed within the last 60 days

Additional For A Vehicle Endorsement

A vehicle endorsement allows your security guards to use vehicles while working.

• Automobile Liability Insurance
• A Request for Vehicle Endorsement(PDF, 900KB) completed within the last 60 days

Additional For A Weapons Endorsement

A weapons endorsement allows your security guards to carry weapons while working, such as firearms, tasers, batons, or pepper spray.

• A Request for Weapons Endorsement(PDF, 942KB) completed within the last 60 days

Note - Excise and Licenses will strive to process any application for a Private Security Employer renewal within 7 business days. The application review process may take longer if the application is found to be incomplete or inconsistent.

The renewal process is as follows:

1. The applicant submits a renewal application online. All required documents must be uploaded before the application is submitted.
2. Excise and Licenses will review the application and supporting documents for completeness and consistency. If the application is found to be incomplete, an email will be sent to the applicant allowing 14 days for corrections.
3. If the applicant is found to be eligible for renewal, a copy of the Private Security Employer license will be emailed to the applicant. Be sure to read and follow all conditions printed on the business license.

Termination or Changes in Employment

Whenever the employment of a security guard is terminated for any reason, the employer must file an online license amendment application notifying Excise and Licenses of the change within 72 hours of such termination.

Requirement to Notify the Department of Convictions or Use of Force Resulting in Bodily Harm

If a guard is convicted of a crime or engages in the use of force which results in bodily harm, they must file an online amendment application notifying Excise and Licenses within 72 hours.

Requirement to Keep Contact Information Up to Date

If a personal security employer's contact information changes (place of business, general manager, etc) they must file an online amendment application notifying Excise and Licenses of the change within 72 hours.

Requirement to Renew Annually

Professional licenses and any accompanying endorsements expire annually. It is unlawful for a private security employer to hire or employ security guards while their license is expired. Renewal applications must be filed online with Excise and Licenses before a license expires.

A Private Security Employer applicant can check the status of an application at any time through the online application portal. Please download our Application Status Check-In Guide(PDF, 457KB) for step by step instructions.

• For each General Manager, a copy of his or her Valid State or Federally Issued Identification
• EITHER a copy of his or her Valid Denver Security Guard License OR
• An Affidavit of Criminal and Employment History(PDF, 869KB) and an FBI Background check ran within the past 60 days

WHEN TO FILE 

Private Security Employers are required to notify Denver Excise and Licenses within 72 hours if they terminate a security guard for any reason. 

HOW TO FILE

Please use the link on the right hand side of this page to access our online licensing portal. Once you arrive at the "My Licenses" page, select the "Amendment" action for the license you wish to update, and then select "Notification" under amendment types.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS 

A Notice of Employee Termination(PDF, 891KB) form

WHEN TO FILE 

Private Security Employers are required to notify Denver Excise and Licenses within 72 hours of any change in their required insurance.

HOW TO FILE

Please use the link on the right hand side of this page to access our online licensing portal. Once you arrive at the "My Licenses" page, select the "Amendment" action for the license you wish you update, and then follow the prompts.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS 

A Certificate of Insurance or comparable proof of insurance. showing the following:

• Employer's Liability Insurance - minimum $100,000
• General Liability Insurance - minimum $1,000,000 combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage per occurrence
• Worker's Compensation Insurance - minimum $100,000

WHEN & HOW TO FILE

If you would like to update your contact information, please use the link on the right-hand side of this page to access our online licensing portal. Once you arrive at the "My Licenses" page, select the "Amendment" action for the license you wish to update, and then follow the prompts.

LEGAL NAME CHANGES

If your legal name changed, please e-mail a written request to licenses@denvergov.org and include one of the following documents in your e-mail:

• A certified copy of a marriage certificate indicating your new name
• A certified copy of a final divorce decree in which the judge listed your desired name change directly on the decree
• Other certified court documents granting a legal name change

WHEN TO FILE 

Private Security Employers wishing to add or update a vehicle or uniform design must file a "Vehicle or Uniform Change" application. This application must be filed and approved before any new design is used.

HOW TO FILE

Please use the link on the right hand side of this page to access our online licensing portal. Once you arrive at the "My Licenses" page, select the "Amendment" action for the license you wish you update, and then follow the prompts.

TO ADD OR CHANGE A VEHICLE DESIGN 

• Automobile Liability Insurance
• A Request for Vehicle Endorsement(PDF, 900KB) completed within the last 60 days.

WHEN TO FILE 

Private Security Employers wishing to add a new weapons endorsement to their license, or wishing to add new weapons type to their existing endorsement must file a Weapons Endorsement Change application and have the application approved before beginning to exercise the privileges of the desired endorsement.

Private Security Employers who wish to remove an endorsement from their license must file a Weapons Endorsement Change application within 72 hours of the change. 

HOW TO FILE

Please use the link on the right-hand side of this page to access our online licensing portal. Once you arrive at the "My Licenses" page, select the "Amendment" action for the license you wish to update, and then follow the prompts.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS 

TO ADD OR CHANGE A WEAPONS ENDORSMENT

A Request for Weapons Endorsement(PDF, 942KB) completed within the last 60 days.

NO DOCUMENTATION IS NEEDED TO REMOVE A WEAPONS ENDORSEMENT