New private security employer application

Step 1.Before you apply

Read the ordinance for this license under "Municipal Code" on the right side of the page to make sure this license is right for you.

• Get a certificate of insurance with the minimum insurance coverage (refer to our frequently asked questions for specific details). If you are seeking a vehicle endorsement, you will need automobile liability insurance.
• Designate the individual(s) who will be designated as general manager(s) responsible for overseeing your guards and for serving as a contact for the Denver Police Department should it need to discuss any specific incident. General managers will need to provide a Denver security guard license or an FBI background check and an affidavit of criminal employment and history(PDF, 69KB) or declaracion de antecedentes penales e historial de empleo(PDF, 115KB) upon registration.

Step 2.Gather all required documents

Make sure you have everything from the "Required documents" section below.

Important notes to keep in mind about your documents:

• All materials must be digital files saved as a .pdf or .jpg. Do not include any other file types. The Department of Excise and Licenses cannot accept other file types.
• Use numbers or letters but not characters such as symbols (/ ? < > \ : * | “ ^) or spaces that could cause complications.
  • For example:
    • Good file name: drivers-license-name-2022.pdf
    • Bad file name: last name/ id.pdf
• In some cases, you might need to combine documents and upload them in a single .pdf. You can use a free, online tool to merge documents into a single file.
• Legal documents must be signed, dated and executed. All pages of large legal documents (such as a lease) must be included in the application.
• All materials must be legible.
• Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Step 3.Register for a new account

Register for an account, if you haven't already, in Denver’s Permitting and Licensing Center. For help, navigate to the online training videos and watch the guide for how to register for a new account.

Step 4.Apply in Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center

In Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center:

• Under Business/Occupational, Short-Term and Residential Rental Licensing, click "Apply New."
• Select the type of license you want to get and click "Continue Application."
  • Application package contains the following licenses: Child care center, residential rental property, retail tobacco store, massage business, marijuana licenses, retail food, retail food-commissary based, wholesale food and wholesale food-commissary based.
• Read the introduction page and click "Continue."

This will begin the application process.

You can save and resume within 30 days any time during the process. After 30 days, you must start again.

Go to the Online Training Videos webpage to guide you.

After the online application is complete, you will be prompted to submit fees in the online portal. These can be paid with a bank account or a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card.

Step 5.Pay required fees

Application fee:

• $100 - If you employ one to 24 guards in Denver
• $200 - If you employ 25 or more guards in Denver

License fee:

• $100 - If you employ one to 24 guards in Denver
• $200 - If you employ 25 or more guards in Denver

Step 6.City application review and next steps

Excise and Licenses tries to conduct an initial review of a complete application within seven business days. The review process might take longer if it is incomplete or requires police review (if applicable).

• All application-related communications will be sent through email, from EXLNotifications@denvergov.org. Do not respond to these emails as this inbox is not monitored.
• If the application is incomplete, the applicant will receive a "notice of deficiency" email. This allows 14 days for corrections. License endorsement requests and incidents on a background check need police review.
• All applications will be closed if they are not completed within 12 months.

Step 7.License issuance