The Colorado Legal Framework

CRS § 18-1-705 — Defense of Premises

Under CRS § 18-1-705, a person in lawful possession or control of premises — or their authorized agent — may use reasonable and appropriate non-deadly physical force to prevent or terminate criminal trespass.

Important clarification:
In Colorado, a person becomes a criminal trespasser once they are lawfully directed to leave private property by the owner or the owner’s authorized agent and refuse to do so. At that point, CRS § 18-1-705 may apply.

For security guards, this means:

• The guard must be acting as the authorized agent of the property owner or management
• The purpose of force must be to terminate the trespass, not punish behavior
• Deadly force is not authorized for simple trespass or refusal to leave

If agency authority does not exist, CRS § 18-1-705 does not apply to the guard.

CRS § 18-1-704 — Use of Physical Force (Reasonableness & Proportionality)

Even when removal is lawful, CRS § 18-1-704 governs how much force may be used.

Any force used must be:

• Reasonable
• Necessary
• Proportional to the resistance or threat encountered

Force must stop once the lawful objective is achieved. Continuing force after the trespass is terminated is unlawful.

Agency Authority and Contracts Are Mandatory

A security guard does not gain authority simply by wearing a uniform.

To lawfully remove someone from private property in Colorado, all of the following must exist:

1. A valid security services contract
2. Written agency authority from the property owner or management
3. Contract language that specifically authorizes trespass enforcement and removal
4. Compliance with local licensing requirements, where applicable

Critical point:
A security contract may authorize removal and trespass enforcement, but it cannot authorize force that exceeds what Colorado law allows. Contracts do not override CRS § 18-1-704 or § 18-1-705.

If removal authority is not explicitly included in the contract or post orders, a guard’s ability to physically escort someone is extremely limited.

City Licensing Requirements in Colorado

In Colorado cities that require security guard licensing — including Denver, Glendale, Colorado Springs, Greeley and Pueblo — the following applies:

• The individual guard must hold a valid city-issued security license
• The security company must be authorized to operate
• The security contract must define trespass enforcement and removal duties

An unlicensed guard in a licensing city has no lawful authority to remove or trespass anyone, regardless of management requests.

Proper Removal Procedure

A lawful and defensible removal follows a clear sequence:

1. Asked to Leave

The individual is clearly and professionally asked to leave the property.

2. Told to Leave (Trespass Notice)

If refusal occurs, the individual is informed they are no longer welcome and must leave or they will be trespassing.

3. Documentation

The encounter should be documented, including:

• Time and location
• Reason for removal
• Statements made by security and the subject
• Witnesses (management, staff, other guards)

4. Removal (When Required by Contract)

If the contract requires removal and the subject refuses to leave, reasonable non-deadly force may be used only to the extent necessary to terminate the trespass, consistent with CRS § 18-1-705 and CRS § 18-1-704.

5. Law Enforcement Escalation

Law enforcement should be contacted only when necessary, including when:

• The situation becomes unsafe
• The encounter turns violent
• A serious crime is committed in the guard’s presence
• The subject continues to resist beyond what can be safely managed
• Arrest authority, scene control, or medical assistance is required

Security guards are not law enforcement and should not escalate situations simply to enforce compliance.

Example: Bar or Nightclub Removal

Scenario: A patron is intoxicated, disruptive, and management has cut them off and directed them to leave. The patron refuses and remains inside.

Lawful actions

• Verbal direction to leave is given
• Patron is informed they are trespassing
• If refusal continues and the contract authorizes removal, a controlled escort using department-approved techniques consistent with training may be lawful
• No strikes, chokeholds, or pain-compliance absent an actual assault

Once the patron is outside and no longer interfering, all force must stop.

If resistance escalates

• Pulling away, pushing, or swinging may justify defensive force only to stop unlawful physical force
• Force may increase only as necessary
• Once the threat stops, force must stop

What is not lawful

Even with a removal-required contract, security may not:

• Use force as punishment
• Escalate force to speed compliance
• Continue force after removal is complete
• Use deadly force for trespass or refusal to leave

Property Boundary Rule

In Colorado, a security guard’s authority to remove a trespasser ends at the property boundary.

• CRS § 18-1-705 authority ends once the person exits the property
• Any attempt to escort, detain, or move a person beyond that point risks assault, false imprisonment, or kidnapping charges
• Guards may not follow or “continue the removal” off-site

Q & A (Colorado-Specific)

Q: Can a security guard physically escort someone out in Colorado?
Yes. If the guard is properly licensed (where required), acting under agency authority, the contract authorizes removal, and only reasonable non-deadly force is used.

Q: Does refusal alone justify force?
Refusal can justify a reasonable escort removal under CRS § 18-1-705 when removal is contractually authorized, but the force must remain minimal and proportional.

Q: Can a security guard permanently trespass someone?
Yes — if that authority is delegated by the property owner or authorized management through contract or post orders. The guard acts as the owner’s authorized agent, not on independent authority. Permanent or long-term trespasses should be documented and consistent with property policy.

Q: Can guards remove or trespass someone without documenting it?
They shouldn’t. Failure to document removals and trespasses is one of the most common and damaging liability mistakes.

Final Takeaway

In Colorado, a security guard may remove and trespass someone from private property only when:

• The guard is properly licensed, where required
• Acting under written agency authority
• Operating within a contract that authorizes removal and trespass enforcement
• Using reasonable, necessary, and proportional non-deadly force
• Stopping force at the property boundary
• Fully documenting the encounter

Anything outside these limits is legally indefensible.

Looking for Professional Security Guard Services in Colorado?
Work with a licensed security company that understands Colorado law, private-property authority, and proper arrest procedures.

Contact us to request a security quote

Related Articles:

• Can A Security Guard Arrest Someone In Colorado?
• What Is A Security Guard Personal Statement?
• What Is A Security Guard Incident Report?
• What Is A Security Guard Daily Activity Report?
• What Are Security Guard POST orders?
• Should Contract Security Guards Check Receipts Consistently?

Legal Disclaimer (PGSS LLC):
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations can change, and local, state, federal, and municipal requirements may vary. Always consult qualified legal counsel regarding specific legal questions. Patrol Guard Security Services LLC assumes no liability for actions taken based on this content.