This bill creates a state regulatory board for private security services in Colorado and establishes licensing, training, and oversight requirements for security officers and private security businesses.
Key Provisions of the Bill1. Creation of the State Board of Private Security Services
A new State Board of Private Security Services will be established under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
The board will regulate and oversee private security officers and employers.
2. Licensing & Registration Requirements (Effective August 1, 2026)
Individual security officers must obtain one of two licenses:
Event Security Officer License (for security at events, concerts, etc.).
Commercial Security Officer License (for business and property security).
Private security companies must register with the board to operate in the state.
3. Firearm & Nonlethal Weapon Authorization
Only licensed commercial security officers can carry a firearm or nonlethal weapon.
To do so, they must obtain a weapon endorsement from the board.
Exemptions: Certified law enforcement officers are not required to get a security license or weapon endorsement.
4. Qualifications for Licenses, Endorsements & Employer Registration
Applicants must:
Pass a fingerprint-based criminal history check (no disqualifying offenses).
Complete specified training and pass an assessment.
Meet minimum age requirements.
Private security employers must:
Have a certain level of experience.
Maintain professional liability insurance.
Implement a training policy for new employees.
5. Provisional Licenses
A temporary (provisional) license may be issued pending the results of the background check.
A provisional license allows an applicant to work under direct supervision in limited spaces.
6. Reciprocity for Municipal Licenses
A security officer who already holds a local (municipal) security license can get a state license without additional training if the state board determines that the municipal requirements are substantially equivalent.
7. Regulatory Powers of the State Board
The board is authorized to:
Adopt rules to regulate private security.
Approve training programs.
Issue, renew, and impose fees for licenses, endorsements, and registrations.
Conduct investigations and enforce discipline for violations.
8. Sunset Review & Expiration (September 1, 2030)
The regulation of private security will expire on September 1, 2030, unless renewed.
It will undergo a sunset review by DORA before that date.
Summary
The bill establishes statewide licensing for private security officers and businesses.
Security officers must be licensed and meet training & background check requirements.
Only licensed commercial security officers can carry firearms or nonlethal weapons (with an endorsement).
Existing municipal security licenses may qualify for a state license.
The new regulations will be reviewed for renewal in 2030.
Summary
The bill creates the state board of private security services (board)
in the department of regulatory agencies (department) to regulate individuals and businesses that provide private security services. Starting August 1, 2026, to provide private security services in the state:
•
An individual must obtain an event security officer or a commercial security officer license from the board; and •
A private security employer must obtain a registration from the board.
Additionally, only a licensed commercial security officer may be
authorized to carry a firearm or nonlethal weapon and must first obtain a board-issued weapon endorsement to do so. Law enforcement officers who are certified by the peace officers standards and training board are exempt from the licensure and weapon endorsement requirements.
The bill establishes requirements and qualifications for obtaining
a license, weapon endorsement, or registration, as applicable, including:
•
Obtaining a fingerprint-based criminal history record check to verify that the applicant has not committed a disqualifying criminal offense;
•
Completing specified training and successfully passing an assessment;
•
Satisfying minimum age requirements; and
•
For an employer registration, having the requisite level of experience and professional liability insurance and a policy for training newly licensed employees.
Pending the results of the required criminal history record check,
the board may issue an applicant a provisional license under specified circumstances that allows an otherwise qualified applicant to perform private security services under direct supervision and in limited spaces. The bill allows a private security officer who is licensed in a municipality in the state to obtain a state-issued license, without additional training, if the board determines that the municipal licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to the requirements in the bill.
The board is authorized to: •
Adopt rules;
•
Approve training;
•
Issue and renew licenses, weapon endorsements, and registrations and impose fees; and
•
Conduct investigations and hearings and impose discipline for violations of the bill.
The regulation of private security officers and private security
employers is scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2030, and is subject to sunset review by the department before its repeal.
