Locked Out of Your Car in Denver? Here's Exactly What to Do
Step-by-step guide for Denver drivers locked out of a car — what to try first, when to call a locksmith vs roadside, and what it should cost.
By Andrew — Master Locksmith, Denver Colorado Locksmith 247
Getting locked out of your car in Denver is stressful — especially in a Cherry Creek parking garage at 11pm, or on a 95° afternoon in a Walmart lot with kids in the back. After 20 years of unlocking cars across the Front Range, here's the exact order of operations I tell my own family to follow.
1. Make sure you're actually locked out
Sounds silly, but check every door and the trunk. Modern cars sometimes lock the driver's door but leave a rear door open. If you have the key fob in your pocket and the car has push-to-start, walk up and try the handle — proximity sensors fail more often than people think, and a dead fob battery is one of the most common "lockout" calls we run.
2. Call roadside assistance if you already pay for it
If you have AAA, OnStar, or factory roadside through your insurance or warranty, call them first — it's already paid for. Two cautions:
- Wait times in Denver run long. Average AAA arrival in the metro is 60–90 minutes; on snow days or weekend nights it can be 2–4 hours.
- They will not cut or program a new key. Roadside only opens the car. If your keys are lost or locked in and you can't get them out, you still need a locksmith.
3. Call a local mobile locksmith
A licensed mobile locksmith is almost always faster and usually cheaper than a tow. In Denver, expect:
- Arrival: 20–35 minutes for most metro addresses
- Standard car unlock: $55–$95 depending on time of day and vehicle
- Lost key replacement: $150–$450 depending on chip type
Always ask for a flat upfront price before they dispatch. Any company that won't quote you over the phone is the same one that will hand you a $400 invoice for a $75 job. Read more on our automotive locksmith page.
4. Avoid the slim-jim YouTube videos
Coat hangers, shoelaces and slim jims worked on 1995 sedans. On a 2018+ vehicle you will:
- Tear the weatherstripping ($200+ to replace)
- Deploy a side-impact airbag ($1,500+ and a totaled door card)
- Break the window regulator or actuator
A pro uses an air wedge and a long-reach tool designed for your make — no damage, two minutes of work.
5. Stay safe while you wait
If it's hot, get yourself and any pets/kids out of direct sun — Denver's altitude makes cars heat faster than people expect. If it's late or you feel unsafe, wait inside a nearby business and tell the locksmith where you are. We'd rather find you in a lit lobby than a dark parking lot.
What it should not cost
Beware of national "lead-gen" sites that advertise $19 lockouts on Google. They subcontract to whoever is closest, then upcharge on-scene. A reputable Denver locksmith will quote $55–$95 over the phone and that's the price you pay. We answer the phone 24/7 at (720) 575-4013 and dispatch a real technician from a real local truck.
Service areas
We respond to car lockouts across Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Westminster, Centennial, Arvada, Englewood, Littleton, Cherry Creek and the rest of the Front Range. See our full coverage map.
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