Denver International Airport celebrates opening of new west security checkpoint

From left to right: Former Congressman Ed Perlmutter, Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, DEN CEO Phil Washington, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Congresswoman Diana DeGette, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, and TSA Deputy Executive Assistant Administrator for Security Operations, Steve Lorincz. CREDIT: Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport (DEN) was joined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and U.S. Congresswoman Diana DeGette to celebrate the completion of the West Security Checkpoint on 05 February 2024. The checkpoint, which officially opened on 06 February, is the first of two new state-of-the-art security checkpoints on Level 6 (passenger check-in) to open as part of the Great Hall Program.

“Today is a great day for Denver and a great day for Colorado,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “This checkpoint upgrade means the travel time for people coming through security will be faster, more efficient, and incredibly safe. We are adding more and more international capacity to Denver, which will help our state and city become the financial centre of the country, the tourist centre, as well as the best place to live, work, and play.”

Passengers can find the West Checkpoint on the northwest end of Level 6 adjacent to United’s ticketing/check-in lobby. If you are being dropped off on Level 6, look for doors 606-600, with TSA PreCheck access closest to doors 602 and 600. The West Security Checkpoint will operate from 04:00 – 19:30 daily and will provide access at three separate entrances defined by the following traveller groups:

• West Security 1 (located behind the United ticketing/check-in lobby): This entrance is for standard screening passengers, which makes up the majority of DEN passengers.
• West Security 2 (located near Door 606): This entrance is for Restricted Access, which consists of various groups including:
  • Denver International Airport Reserve – make reservation here
  • Premium/Premier Access
  • Accessibility and Functional Needs
  • Military
• West Security 3 (located near Door 600): This entrance is for TSA PreCheck passengers as well as CLEAR customers with TSA PreCheck.

“The impetus of the Great Hall Program has always been to enhance safety and security by moving the security checkpoints from Level 5 to Level 6 while also increasing capacity,” said Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington. “This new checkpoint, which is opening on schedule and under budget, is equipped with 17 screening lanes. These have advanced technology creating a more efficient process and an overall better experience for our passengers. Next year we will open another checkpoint of the same caliber on the east side of the terminal to serve our ever-increasing passenger traffic.”

Similar to other U.S. airports, the new equipment will allow TSA to screen carry-on baggage and passengers, using the latest technology to do so, enhancing safety and improving the passenger journey. Features of the new equipment include:

• Allowing multiple passengers to place their items in bins simultaneously to help expedite the process
• Enhanced technology that allows passengers to leave items like liquids and laptops in their bags
• Automatic diversion of any carry-on bag that may contain a prohibited item, allowing other travellers’ belongings to continue through the screening process uninterrupted
• Automatic bin returns to the front of the line
• Larger bins to fit more items and larger bags
• Unique Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags that are attached to each bin, allowing for additional accountability of a traveller’s carry-on property as they move throughout the security screening process
• Cameras that capture photographic images of the contents of each bin and are linked side-by-side to the X-ray image of a carry-on bag’s contents

With the new technology, the journey through the checkpoint will be a little different than what passengers have experienced at Denver International Airport. Here are a few tips for passengers using the new West Security Checkpoint:

• Have your driver’s license or passport in hand when approaching the document checker
• As you approach a lane, look for an open station (each lane has three stations) where you can prepare your items for screening
• All items must be placed in a bin including suitcases, backpacks, roller bags, etc. If needed, use more than one bin for your personal items
• Place lighter items such as jackets at the bottom of the bin to maximize space
• All passengers can leave their liquids and gels (3.4 oz or less) as well as electronics in their carry-on, even if they do not have TSA PreCheck
• Do NOT take the bin off the belt once you are ready to retrieve your items. The bins will automatically return to the front of the line for the next passenger

The West Security Checkpoint is part of the second phase of the $2.1 billion Great Hall Program. The phase was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

The entire Great Hall Program will be completed by the end of 2027, with segments opening along the way. The East Security Checkpoint will open by the end of 2025 and will provide another 17 screening lanes with advanced technology.