Denver locksmith prices sit comfortably in the middle of the pack nationally. A residential lockout here typically costs $85 to $195, which is noticeably less than Seattle or New York, more than San Antonio, and roughly in line with other mid-tier Western cities like Salt Lake City or Albuquerque.
This guide covers what you'll pay for common locksmith services in Denver, what drives the pricing, the fact that Colorado has no statewide licensing requirement, and how to spot the scammers who take advantage of that gap.
Denver Locksmith Price Ranges (2026)
| Service | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Residential lockout | $85 – $195 |
| Car lockout | $75 – $145 |
| Rekey a lock | $60 – $105 per lock |
| Deadbolt installation (labor + hardware) | $115 – $270 |
| Lock replacement | $110 – $250 |
| Broken key extraction | $80 – $150 |
| Safe opening | $155 – $425 |
| After-hours surcharge | $30 – $75 extra |
The lower end of each range applies to simple jobs during business hours in accessible areas. Upper end is for complex locks, after-hours calls, or locations with difficult access.
Colorado Has No Statewide Locksmith License
This is the most important thing to know before hiring a locksmith in Denver: Colorado does not require locksmiths to hold a state license.
There's no state exam, no background check requirement, no licensing board. Any person can legally advertise locksmith services in Colorado. Some locksmiths voluntarily hold certifications from the ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America) or other professional organizations, and individual municipalities might have business license requirements, but there's no state-level credential you can verify.
What this means for you:
- You can't look someone up in a state database to verify credentials
- The barrier to entry for scammers is low
- Checking Google reviews, Yelp, the BBB, and asking for insurance documentation matters more here than in licensed states
- Industry certifications (ALOA membership, manufacturer training) are useful signals but voluntary
Denver proper requires general business licenses, and some contractors carry specific bonding and insurance. Ask any locksmith whether they're insured and bonded before they start work.
Why Denver Is Mid-Range
A Growing City, But Not a Tech Hub (Yet)
Denver has grown steadily for years and has a healthy economy, but it doesn't have the concentrated tech industry wage pressure of Seattle or San Francisco. The cost of doing business here is meaningfully lower than on either coast, and that keeps service prices in a reasonable range.
Competitive Market
The Denver metro area has a well-established locksmith market with numerous legitimate local operators. Competition helps keep prices from drifting too high. That said, the lack of licensing also means there are operators cutting corners — another reason to vet carefully.
Outdoor Culture = More Car Lockouts
Denver and the surrounding metro area see a disproportionate number of car lockouts, especially at trailheads, ski areas, and recreation spots. This is partly why automotive lockout pricing in Colorado is competitive — locksmiths who cover mountain areas build it into their service model.
Weather Factors
Colorado's weather creates some locksmith demand that other cities don't see as much: frozen locks in winter, swollen door frames after moisture changes, and lock mechanisms that fail after extreme temperature shifts. These aren't dramatically expensive services but they add to the overall market.
Service-by-Service Breakdown
Residential Lockouts
Getting locked out of your Denver home costs $85 to $195. A standard weekday lockout with a simple deadbolt is typically $100 to $130. Add $30 to $75 for evening or weekend calls. Locks with restricted keyways or high-security pins take more time and sit toward the upper end of the range.
Car Lockouts
Auto lockouts run $75 to $145 in Denver. Standard mechanical lockouts are toward the lower end. Newer vehicles with keyless push-button systems or locked trunks are toward the upper end. If you're locked out at a trailhead or ski area outside the metro, expect travel fees on top of the base rate.
Rekeying
Rekeying costs $60 to $105 per lock in Denver. The city has a reasonably transient population — lots of renters, young professionals who move frequently, and a healthy short-term rental market. Rekeying when you move is cheap insurance against unknown key copies.
Many locksmiths offer a discount for rekeying multiple locks at once. If you have three exterior locks, ask what they charge to do all three together.
Deadbolt Installation
Total cost for deadbolt installation: $115 to $270. This includes hardware and labor. Grade 2 ANSI deadbolt: lower end. Grade 1 with reinforced hardware: middle. Smart deadbolts (August, Kwikset, Schlage Encode) add $80 to $250 for the lock itself.
Denver's mountain-adjacent culture means a lot of residents value home security for extended travel and vacation periods. Smart lock installations are common here.
Frozen Locks and Weather Issues
Not something you'll find on many price lists, but worth noting: frozen locks in Colorado winters cost $50 to $100 to address professionally. More often, a can of de-icer ($5 at any hardware store) handles it yourself. A locksmith call for a frozen lock should never cost $200 — if that's what you're quoted, something is off.
Denver Neighborhoods and Surrounding Areas
- Downtown / LoDo / RiNo: Dense, urban, competitive market — mid-range pricing, quick response
- Capitol Hill / Congress Park: Active rental market, plenty of local locksmiths, good pricing
- Cherry Creek / Country Club: Slightly higher-end pricing, some premium service operators
- Aurora / Lakewood / Arvada: More suburban, competitive pricing, often lower than Denver proper
- Boulder: Slightly higher prices, separate market — look for Boulder-specific operators
- Mountain towns (Evergreen, Conifer, Bailey): Expect significant travel fees from Denver-based locksmiths; look for local mountain-area operators
Getting a Fair Price in Denver
Colorado's lack of state licensing makes it easier for bad actors to operate. Here's how to avoid them:
- Search Google for "[neighborhood] locksmith" and look for businesses with substantial review histories
- Check the BBB for the company name — Denver has some good data there
- Ask for ALOA certification or other professional credentials
- Confirm they're insured and bonded
- Get a total price before work starts — insist on knowing the full cost, not a vague starting rate
- Be skeptical of quotes under $60 for a residential lockout — that's below Denver market rates and often a hook
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a locksmith cost in Denver? Residential lockouts typically cost $85 to $195. Standard weekday jobs run $100 to $140. After-hours calls add $30 to $75. Car lockouts cost $75 to $145.
Does Colorado require locksmiths to be licensed? No. Colorado has no statewide locksmith license requirement. This makes it more important to check reviews, ask about insurance, and look for voluntary certifications like ALOA membership.
Are Denver locksmiths cheaper than other major Colorado cities? Denver is the primary locksmith market in Colorado. Boulder tends to run slightly higher. Colorado Springs and Pueblo are cheaper. Mountain towns vary based on how remote they are.
Is there a travel fee for locksmith services in Denver? Within Denver proper and the immediate suburbs, most locksmiths include travel in their base rate. If you're farther out — Evergreen, Castle Rock, Morrison — expect an explicit travel fee. Ask upfront.
Can I get a locksmith to come to a ski area or trailhead? Yes, though prices and wait times vary. Some locksmith companies actively serve mountain recreation areas. Expect to pay travel fees on top of the service rate, and response times can be longer (30 to 90 minutes depending on conditions).
What's a reasonable price to rekey all locks in a Denver home? For a typical house with three exterior door locks, budget $180 to $315. Some locksmiths offer package pricing for whole-home rekeying that comes out cheaper per lock than individual calls.