Colorado’s HB25-1262, a bill regulating private security officers and agencies, is a glaring example of government overreach. This bureaucratic nightmare piles on red tape, threatens constitutional liberties, and hammers the economy under the pretense of oversight. Far from improving safety, it suffocates a functional system and disarms Coloradans one regulation at a time.
Starting August 1, 2026, HB25-1262 creates a state board to license private security officers—event guards, commercial protectors, anyone in the field. Want to carry a firearm, pepper spray, or even a baton? You’ll need a “weapon endorsement,” board-approved training, and fees. Employers must register, too. This duplicates existing laws like concealed carry permits and background checks, adding no clear benefit. It’s government flexing, not problem-solving.
The economic toll hits hard, especially for small security firms and individuals, many of them retired law enforcement or veterans. Licensing fees, training costs, and compliance burdens could drive them out of business. For those using private security to exercise their Second Amendment rights, HB25-1262 slams the door. Requiring endorsements for nonlethal tools like pepper spray—a citizen’s staple—is absurd overreach.
This bill isn’t just about jobs; it’s about self-reliance. The Second Amendment protects personal defense and the right to a citizen-led militia. Private security, often staffed by trained patriots, embodies that spirit. HB25-1262 strangles it, mirroring other Colorado laws like SB25-003 that chip away at gun rights. It’s slow-motion disarmament dressed as regulation.
