Colorado • Denver • Colorado Springs

Get Your Colorado Guard Card Online

Colorado does not run a statewide security guard license. Licensing happens at the city level, so where you plan to work decides which course you need. Denver requires its own guard card, and the City and County of Denver mandates the training and background check before you can start unarmed security work. Outside Denver, most Colorado cities let you begin working once you complete an employer-approved course and pass a background check.

Our Colorado security guard classes are 100% online and self-paced, so you can finish the coursework from Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, or anywhere in the state and get your certificate the same day you finish. If you want the fastest path to a guard card in Colorado, start with the Denver course below or pick a package that adds career-enhancement electives.

Training for another state? See our Texas security guard training, Arizona guard card course, Georgia security officer training, or Illinois 20-hour training. For an overview of every program nationwide, visit our online security guard training hub.

State Approved Training Programs

Advance Your Career with
Certified Training

Choose the Colorado package that fits your goals. The first 3 packages include the state-required guard card certification for Denver.

State Required Certificate

$65 $85
  • ✓ State Required Guard Card Included
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ No career enhancement electives
  • ✓ Redeem with 1 certificate credit  
MOST POPULAR

State Required Certificate + 1 Elective

$95 $125
  • ✓ State Required Guard Card Included
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ Redeem with 1 State credit and 1 Elective credit
Advanced

State Required Certificate + 3 Electives

$140 $205
  • ✓ State Required Certificate Included
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ 3 Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ Redeem with 1 certificate credit and 3 elective credits   
State Required Guard Card is only good for Denver.

Career Enhancement Electives are optional training courses taken in addition to your state required certification. Guards who complete electives earn approximately 23% more per hour than those who don’t. Examples include De-escalation Training, Power to Arrest, and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Explore all electives

1 Elective

$35 $40
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ 1 Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ 1 elective credit   

3 Electives

$90 $120
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ 3 Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ 3 elective credits

5 Electives

$125 $200
  • ✓ State Approved Training
  • ✓ 5 Career Enhancement Elective
  • ✓ Boost Job Readiness
  • ✓ 5 Elective Credits   

Three Simple Steps to Get Started

  • Step 1
    Choose Your Package

    Start with the State-required certification, or bundle in 1–3 career enhancement elective to grow your skills and earning potential.

  • Step 2
    Complete Checkout

    Complete checkout in seconds. Your account instantly shows your available certification and career enhancement elective credits.

  • Step 3
    Redeem Your Credits

    Begin your state-required certification immediately. Use your career enhancement elective credits anytime to choose the specialty courses that help you qualify for better-paying posts.
Get Started

Colorado Guard Card Courses (Denver & Statewide)

Guard Card Training by Colorado City

Requirements change from one Colorado city to the next. Pick your city to see exactly which course gets you licensed and working.

Denver Guard Card

A Denver guard card is required to work unarmed security inside the City and County of Denver. The city mandates 16 hours of approved training for a new card and 8 hours for renewals, plus a background check through the Department of Excise and Licenses.

Our online Denver course covers the full 16-hour curriculum so you can finish at home and print your certificate the same day. Already licensed? Use the 8-hour renewal to keep your guard card in Denver current.

Start the Denver 16-Hour Course

Colorado Springs & Statewide

Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, and most cities outside Denver do not issue a separate municipal guard card. To work there you typically need an employer-approved training course, a passing background check, and any site-specific certifications your employer requires.

Our state-approved security guard classes and career-enhancement electives satisfy those employer training standards across Colorado, so you can qualify for posts in Colorado Springs and beyond without traveling to a classroom.

Choose Your Colorado Package

Looking for Guard Training in Another State?

We offer state-approved security guard training in 11 states. Pick yours below, or explore every program on our online security guard training hub.

AZArizona CACalifornia DEDelaware GAGeorgia ILIllinois MNMinnesota TNTennessee TXTexas UTUtah AllAll State Courses

Not in one of these states? Our are open to guards nationwide.

Explore Our Complete Library of Career Enhancement Electives

Your career path is unique, and your training should be too. With access to over 60 state-approved career enhancement electives, our package system puts you in control. After your purchase, you can redeem your credits for any course in our library—whether you’re fulfilling site requirements like Fire Safety or advancing into high-paying Executive Protection roles, all at your own pace.

Administrative
SPECIALTY CERT: PUBLIC RELATIONS - COMMUNITY & CUSTOMER (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPORTANCE (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: ID VERIFICATION TRAINING (1 HOUR) SPECIALTY CERT: LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND USE OF FORCE (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: SITUATIONAL RESPONSE, RESPONDING TO & DOCUMENTING CRITICAL EVENTS (4 HOURS)
De-escalation / Use of Force
SPECIALTY CERT: DE-ESCALATION OF FORCE SPECIALTY CERT: LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND USE OF FORCE (4 HOURS)
Emergency / Crisis Response
SPECIALTY CERT: DEFENSIVE DRIVING – DRIVER AND VEHICLE SAFETY (2 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: BASIC AND EMERGENCY FIRST AID (2 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPORTANCE (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: FIRE SAFETY AND FIRE WATCH TRAINING (1 HOUR) SPECIALTY CERT: SITUATIONAL RESPONSE II (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: SITUATIONAL RESPONSE, RESPONDING TO & DOCUMENTING CRITICAL EVENTS (4 HOURS)
Specialized / Advanced Skills
SPECIALTY CERT: DEFENSIVE DRIVING – DRIVER AND VEHICLE SAFETY (2 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPORTANCE (4 HOURS) SPECIALTY CERT: GENERAL DUTIES, WRITING REPORTS, & CONDUCTING PATROLS (6 HOURS)

Better training equals higher hourly rates

We Offer State-Required Certification

Get all the mandatory security training you need to qualify for work. Our certification courses meet state requirements and give you the foundational knowledge every guard must have to get licensed and hired.

+

Career-Enhancement Electives

Take your skills beyond the basics. Add optional career enhancement electives that strengthen your professionalism, expand your capabilities, and help you earn higher hourly rates than the average guard.

The only online security guard school

Built by security guards for security guards

that you will need to maximize your hourly earning potential.

On-Demand Learning

On-Demand Learning

Train anytime and anywhere at your own pace. Access all courses 24/7 so you can study whenever it fits your schedule.

Fully Convenient

Fully Convenient

Works seamlessly on phone, tablet, or desktop. No classrooms, no appointments. Learn your way instantly.

Easy & Accessible

Easy & Accessible

Clear lessons, intuitive navigation, and instant progress tracking. Designed to make learning simple for every future guard.

Cost-Effective Pricing

Cost-Effective Pricing

Affordable training with no hidden fees. Only pay for the career enhancement electives you choose, nothing extra.

Built to Meet Professional Security Training Standards

Every course we offer has been crafted to reflect the real requirements of the security industry. From foundational state-mandated training to advanced elective courses, our programs follow clear quality criteria, ensuring your learning is consistent, up-to-date, and job-ready.Whether you're preparing for state licensing, upgrading your skills, or working toward higher-level roles, our training gives you a strong, credible foundation.

Why Security Guard School is Better

Guards we get certified make more.

Security guard training isn't just about meeting state compliance; it is about establishing a competitive advantage in the job market. In today's security landscape, top-tier employers are actively seeking candidates who possess specialized skills beyond the basic Guard Card. By completing our comprehensive certification packages—which include essential career enhancement electives like Power to Arrest and De-escalation—you position yourself for the highest-paying roles in the industry. Whether you are targeting high-traffic retail environments or specialized private protection, our curriculum is specifically designed to maximize your hourly earning potential immediately upon hire.

  • Healthcare & Hospital Security: Commands higher pay for patient restraint and crisis intervention skills.
  • Corporate Office Protection: Professional "Class-A" environments requiring advanced access control knowledge.
  • Retail Loss Prevention: Active theft deterrence roles that pay significantly more than passive observation.
  • Event & Venue Security: Lucrative contracts for guards certified in crowd management and bag checking.
  • Construction Site Patrol: High-liability zones requiring specific asset protection and fire watch training.
  • Educational Campus Safety: Specialized positions mandating training in student interaction and campus patrol.

Our guards who take advantage of career enhancement electives make on average 23% more per hour.

Kevin Turner

Hear from Our Graduates: How Our Course Transformed Their Security Careers

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Dylan Grant

Hear from Our Graduates: How Our Course Transformed Their Security Careers

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Deshawn Carter

Hear from Our Graduates: How Our Course Transformed Their Security Careers

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Tyrone Brooks

Hear from Our Graduates: How Our Course Transformed Their Security Careers

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Marcus Bell

Hear from Our Graduates: How Our Course Transformed Their Security Careers

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Derrick Mason

Hear from Our Graduates: How Our Course Transformed Their Security Careers

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See How We Stack Up

Features Security Guard School ShieldForce Academy National GuardCert Network Sentinel Security Institute
Fully Online Courses ✓
Access from phone, tablet, and computer		 Limited Limited Limited
Nationwide Certification Coverage ✓
Coast-to-coast compliance		 X X X
Instant Certificate Download ✓
Download anytime, anywhere		 X X X
Specialty Certifications ✓
Expand your skills + pay		 Limited Limited Limited
Interactive Online Training ✓
Modern & mobile-friendly		 X Limited X
Real Human Support, 24/7 ✓
Chat, phone & email		 X Limited Limited
Built by Industry Pros ✓
Career-focused curriculum		 X ✓ X
Government-Sponsored Training ✓
Eligible for state programs		 Limited X Limited
Trusted by 100K+ Guards ✓
Proven results		 X Unknown Unknown

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Started

Will my guard certification cover all cities and towns in Colorado?

No, your security guard certification in Colorado does not automatically cover all cities and towns because Colorado does not have a statewide certification for security guards. Instead, each city or county sets its own licensing and certification requirements. For example, cities like Denver, Aurora, and Colorado Springs have regulations, and you may need to obtain a license in each jurisdiction where you plan to work. Security Guard School offers a Denver Certification for just $99.00!

What qualifications do you need to become a security officer in Colorado?

To become a security officer in Colorado, you must typically be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass a criminal background check. Specific qualifications vary by city or county, as there is no statewide certification. You may need to complete security training, depending on local requirements, and if you plan to carry a firearm, additional firearms training and a permit are required. Many cities, suchas Denver and Aurora, require you to apply for a security guard license through local law enforcement or regulatory agencies.

What disqualifies you from becoming a security guard in Colorado?

In Colorado, disqualifications for becoming a security guard vary by city or county but generally include having felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions (especially those involving violence, theft, or moral turpitude), or a history of substance abuse. Failing a criminal background check, being on probation or parole, or having a history of mental health issues that impair judgment can also disqualify you. Each local jurisdiction may have additional specific criteria for disqualification.

How much does it cost to take a Level 2 training course to become a security officer in Colorado?

The cost of a Level 2 training course to become a security officer in Colorado varies by location and training provider but generally ranges from $100 to $300 for the required course. If you're seeking armed security certification, additional firearms training can cost another $100 to $200. In addition to training costs, you may also need to pay for background checks, fingerprinting, and local licensing fees, which can add another $50 to $150 depending on the city or county.

What are the levels of security guards in Colorado?

In Colorado, security guard levels are generally categorized into unarmedand armed guards, though specific terms and requirements vary by city orcounty. Unarmed guards perform basic security tasks without carrying a firearm and typically require general security training and local licensing. Armed guards, who are authorized to carry firearms, must complete additional firearms training and obtain a weapon permit. Some cities, like Denver, may have specific titles or levels for security officers based on training and duties, but there is no standardized statewide classification.

Are Level 2 non-commissioned security guards allowed to carry a firearm in Colorado?

No, Level 2 non-commissioned security guards in Colorado are not allowed to carry a firearm. Only security guards who complete additional firearms training, pass a background check, and obtain the necessary permits specific to their city or county are authorized to carry a firearm while on duty as an armed security guard.

How do I get my security guard license in Colorado?

To get your security guard license in Colorado, you must meet the specific requirements of the city or county where you plan to work, as there is no statewide licensing. Typically, you need to be at least 18, pass a criminal background check, and complete any required training. After fulfilling local training requirements, you apply for a license through the local regulatory or law enforcement agency, such as the police department. If you plan to carry a firearm, additional firearms trainingand a permit are required.

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