Denver committee advances $79.6 million DIA security contract as airport reviews perimeter security
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a security-guard contract for Denver International Airport while airport leaders said they are reviewing perimeter security after a recent fence breach.
Denver’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a three-year contract with two one-year extensions worth $79,553,656.26 for ACTS Airport Services to provide security guard services in curbside and public areas at Denver International Airport.
Airport staff told the committee the contract covers terminal traffic management, access control, patrols in the main terminal and hotel transit center, monitoring sterile-area exits, patrols in public lots and enforcement of trespassing rules. Staff said ACTS currently employs 140 people at the airport and that the deal would continue existing service without disruption.
In the same discussion, staff said the contract price reflects 24/7 staffing and post orders required by the Transportation Security Administration and other regulations, and that the solicitation drew eight qualified bidders before ACTS was selected. Council members questioned airport staff about accountability, visible name badges, complaint pathways and coordination with Denver police and airport dispatch.
The committee’s review came as DIA leaders are also reassessing perimeter security after a recent fence breach tied to Frontier Flight 4345. Airport CEO Phillip A. Washington told the committee the airport held a May 11 news conference on the breach, launched a perimeter physical security assessment and brought in law enforcement, security consultants and peer reviewers from other large airports. He said the airport planned to return to committee July 1 with additional information.
The same meeting also included a broader Department of Transportation and Infrastructure workplan briefing. DOTI officials told the committee the department is managing more than $200 million in capital investments, including $126 million for transportation and mobility, alongside maintenance priorities such as a new $33 million sidewalk fund, fleet replacement and street-sweeping recovery.
What remains unresolved
The public meeting record summarized the contract scope and price, but the article payload does not include the full contract text. That leaves open questions about detailed performance standards, escalation clauses and termination terms. The public record cited here also does not show whether airport security spending is expected to rise, fall or remain flat after the perimeter review is complete.
Why it matters
The contract would continue a large security operation at one of the city’s highest-profile facilities while airport leaders separately review perimeter security after the recent breach. For travelers and the city, the issue is whether DIA can tighten security while maintaining routine public access and operations.