# Security in Denver, United States Canonical page: https://closeprotectionhire.com/cities/denver/ Executive protection and close protection in Denver, United States. Denver-licensed operators for corporate principals across LoDo, Cherry Creek, and the Capitol Hill precinct. ## Threats - **Property and vehicle crime**: DPD Crime Report 2024: Denver records elevated property crime and vehicle theft rates, with hotspots in outer neighbourhoods and some parking areas adjacent to the Downtown core. - **Drug-related street disorder**: DPD Annual Report 2024: drug-related street disorder is elevated in parts of the Capitol Hill corridor and sections of the 16th Street Mall; principal routes should be pre-surveyed to avoid concentrated street-disorder areas. - **High-altitude operational considerations**: DPD and Denver Emergency Medical Services guidance 2024: Denver sits at approximately 1,609 metres above sea level; international principals arriving from lower altitudes may experience altitude adjustment in the first 24 hours, which has medical planning implications for close protection teams. ## Regulations - **Licensing**: Colorado does not license security guards at state level, and a 2025 bill to create state licensing (HB25-1262) was postponed indefinitely on 7 April 2025. Security guards and private security employers in Denver are licensed by the City and County of Denver, Department of Excise and Licenses, with the Denver Police Department helping to review applications. Ask any provider for its Denver employer licence and each guard's Denver licence. - **Firearms**: Denver's basic security guard licence does not cover armed work. The Denver Gazette reported on 26 October 2020 that carrying a firearm or working in plain clothes needs a further endorsement application to the city. - **Foreign operators**: Denver's rules set out no separate route for a foreign security company. Use a Denver-licensed employer for protective work in the city, and take US immigration and local legal advice before a foreign team carries out protective duties. Sources, checked 2026-10-06: - [City and County of Denver, security services licences](https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Business-Licensing/Business-licenses/Security-services) - [Denver Gazette, Denver clarifies security guard license requirements (26 October 2020)](https://www.denvergazette.com/2020/10/26/denver-clarifies-security-guard-license-requirements-after-matthew-dolloff-shooting/) - [Colorado Politics, What does it take to work (legally) as a private security guard in Denver? (19 October 2020)](https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2020/10/19/what-does-it-take-to-work-legally-as-a-private-security-guard-in-denver-7f8ff23a-f602-5054-bef0-72c8e7caabf3) - [Colorado Capitol Watch, HB25-1262 Private Security Regulation (postponed indefinitely 7 April 2025)](https://app.coloradocapitolwatch.com/bill/1/HB25-1262/2025/0) ## Zones Lower-risk areas: - LoDo (Lower Downtown): primary corporate and hotel zone, consistent with lower DPD 2024 crime rates in the central core. - Cherry Creek: upscale retail and residential area, well-policed, preferred for executive accommodation and corporate dining. - Capital Hill (government precinct): well-policed during business hours, primary venue for state-level corporate engagement. Elevated-risk areas: - Five Points and sections of East Colfax after dark: DPD 2024 records elevated property and violent crime; avoid after dark without close protection. - Parts of Aurora east of the city boundary: DPD and Aurora PD data 2024 notes elevated violent crime in specific Aurora residential areas; route pre-survey required for any scheduled visits. ## Emergency contacts - Emergency services: 911 - Denver Police Department (non-emergency): 720-913-2000 - Denver Health Medical Center: 303-436-6000 ## Warnings - FCDO advises normal precautions for the United States (2026); no travel restriction applies to Denver. - Denver International Airport (DEN) is approximately 39km north-east of Downtown; allow 35-55 minutes outside peak hours and up to 80 minutes during rush hour. DEN is one of the most remote major airports from its city centre in the US; pre-survey your route and allow substantial transfer time. - Denver Health Medical Center (303-436-6000) is the principal Level 1 trauma centre for Denver. UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (720-848-0000) in Aurora also provides major trauma care. Altitude adjustment (Denver sits at approximately 1,609m) may be a medical planning consideration for newly arrived international principals. Denver presents a moderate risk profile shaped by elevated property crime and drug-related street disorder in specific zones, as documented in DPD Crime Report 2024. For corporate principals visiting the LoDo financial district, the Colorado Convention Center, or the Cherry Creek retail and residential precinct, the risk is manageable with structured close protection and vetted ground transport. Denver's altitude of approximately 1,609 metres is a medical planning consideration for international principals. The FCDO advises normal precautions for the United States (2026). For principals requiring close protection in Denver, operators must hold Denver security guard and private security employer licences, issued by the City and County of Denver (Department of Excise and Licenses). Our [executive protection services in Denver](/executive-protection/denver/) cover LoDo, the Colorado Convention Center, and Cherry Creek. [Vetted security drivers in Denver](/security-drivers/denver/) cover Denver International Airport arrivals and intercity transfers to Colorado Springs and Aspen. For regional context, see our briefing for [Chicago](/cities/chicago/). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Denver safe for executive and corporate travellers? Denver presents a moderate risk profile for corporate principals who remain within LoDo, Cherry Creek, and the Capitol Hill government precinct. Property crime and drug-related street disorder are elevated in some areas near the 16th Street Mall and East Colfax, according to DPD Crime Report 2024. Close protection is advisable for principals with a public profile or those attending events that extend into elevated-risk areas after dark. Altitude considerations (1,609m) are also a relevant planning factor. ### What close protection licensing applies in Colorado? Colorado does not license security guards at state level; in Denver, guards and private security employers are licensed by the City and County of Denver (Department of Excise and Licenses). Armed work needs a further Denver endorsement on top of the basic security guard licence. Clients should ask for each guard's Denver licence and the employer's Denver licence before any engagement commences. ### What are the main security zones for executives in Denver? LoDo, Cherry Creek, and the Capitol Hill government precinct form the standard lower-risk corporate footprint per DPD 2024 data. The Colorado Convention Center and 17th Street financial corridor are the primary corporate venues. Five Points and sections of East Colfax after dark, and parts of Aurora east of the city boundary, present elevated risk and require close protection cover for any itineraries extending into those areas. ### What medical facilities serve international executives in Denver? Denver Health Medical Center (303-436-6000) is the principal Level 1 trauma centre for Denver. UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (720-848-0000) in Aurora also provides major trauma care. Altitude adjustment is a medical planning consideration for principals arriving from lower elevations; pre-deployment medical briefings should address acclimatisation. Both facilities offer international patient services.