Security guard training providers

In November 2017, Denver adopted Council Bill 17-1177(PDF, 274KB), which replaced the previous merchant guard and merchant guard company licenses with security guard and private security employer licenses. The revised ordinance requires security guards receive at least 16 hours of training before being licensed, and eight hours of training upon renewal. Training must cover, at a minimum, the following topics:

  • Duties of a security guard
  • Communication procedures and protocols
  • Interaction with law enforcement
  • Use of force

The Director of Excise and Licenses could require additional training topics. 

Training must be provided by an eligible training provider. Below, is information on how to request to become an eligible training provider, and a list of such providers.

Download a list of eligible training providers(PDF, 224KB) 

Request to become an eligible training provider

Request process

Individuals or organizations that want to become an eligible security guard training provider must complete the following process:

1. Submit a completed request to become an eligible training provider(PDF, 938KB)  to licenses@denvergov.org.

2. Representatives of the Denver Police Department will review the request. It is the goal to have reviews completed within 30 business days of receipt of a request, but given the large volume of requests, it could take longer. If 30 days have passed and you want to check the status of the request, contact licenses@denvergov.org.

3. If the representative reviewing the request contacts you for additional information, it must be returned to the Department within three business days. 

4. If the request meets the minimum requirements, notification will be sent that you are an eligible training provider as well as instructions to provide proof of training completion to trainees.