South Level 6 terminal bridge and connected escalator are closed for construction until mid-November. For drop-off, please use the terminal side that matches your airline.
News and Press
DENVER – Sept. 1, 2026 – Denver International Airport (DEN) is preparing for a busy Labor Day holiday travel period as travelers take advantage of the final long weekend of the summer.
From Thursday, Sept. 3 to Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, more than 368,000 passengers are forecast by the TSA to travel through DEN’s security checkpoints, approximately the same number of travelers during the same timeframe in 2025. DEN estimates the busiest days of travel will be Friday, Sept. 4 and Monday, Sept. 7, when there could be more than 87,000 passengers per day passing through security.
Passengers are encouraged to check TSA security wait times at FlyDenver.com/security and to arrive inside the airport at least two hours before their boarding time to ensure they have plenty of time to check bags, travel through security and arrive at their gate. Security wait times can change quickly and there is the potential for longer lines, especially during peak times, which are 3 to 4:30 a.m., 8 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.
Here are additional travel tips for passengers traveling through DEN during the Labor Day travel rush:
Due to ongoing Great Hall construction, the Level 6 south bridge connecting the east and west sides of the Terminal is temporarily closed. Passengers should arrive on the side of the Terminal where their airline is located, as moving between sides on Level 6 requires a detour down to Level 5 before returning to Level 6. DEN personnel will be available to assist travelers. United Airlines is located on the west side of Level 6, while Southwest and Frontier are on the east side. All other airlines are located in the center of Level 5 through mid-2027.
Before You Leave for the Airport
TSA
The East and West Checkpoints are mirror images of each other, with nearly identical lanes on each side. Passengers who don’t need to check a bag or visit an airline counter upon arrival can be conveniently dropped off at specific doors on Level 6 (East or West) and immediately access the security checkpoints.
If you are being dropped off on Level 6 West, look for doors 606-600, with TSA PreCheck access closest to doors 602 and 600. If you are being dropped off on Level 6 East look for doors 601-605 with TSA PreCheck closest to door 601 and 603.
West Security is open from 3:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. (the next morning) and East Security is open from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week. East Security TSA Precheck is open from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. and West Security TSA Precheck is open from 4 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. every day of the week.
DEN’s A Bridge offers a convenient route to Concourse A from the security checkpoints.
Passengers may sign up for expedited screening programs available at DEN checkpoints. Learn more about TSA PreCheck and CLEAR.
TSA offers these tips for all flyers as they plan upcoming travel:
Travelers uncertain about a specific item can use the free “What Can I Bring?” tool on the MyTSA app.
Travelers with disabilities or medical conditions may contact TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227 to request assistance while at the TSA checkpoint. For general information, visit TSA.gov.
Parking
The Pikes Peak Lot will remain open until full, at which point the Longs Peak Lot will open and remain open until full.
In the event both shuttle lots are full, DEN encourages passengers to look at the DEN terminal parking lots or non-DEN parking locations. DEN Parking Management will continually observe available space and will re-open a full lot at the appropriate time.
Shuttle service will remain available in all lots. DEN now offers the Passio Go app, where passengers can view shuttle statuses and expected time of arrival in real-time. View DEN’s Passio Go status page.
Please check FlyDenver.com/parking-and-transportation/parking-lots/ for the most up-to-date information for DEN parking lot availability. Please check the signage when approaching the airport for up-to-date parking availability.
Premium Reserve Parking: Premium Reserve Parking offers a reserved spot as early as 90 days in advance or as soon as five minutes in advance, depending on parking area capacity. Book early as this parking can fill up.
Reservations cost $45 a day with a one-time $5 service fee per reservation. Premium Reserve is conveniently located at Arrivals, on Level 4 East and West. Visit the reservation page.
Transit
Parking lots at DEN tend to fill up quickly during busy travel periods. Consider taking the RTD A Line to DEN. View the A Line schedule and view more information on all the public transportation options offered at DEN
Meet & Assist
Airport Butler can provide meet-and-assist services to help travelers navigate DEN efficiently and with ease at any stage of their journey, including domestic arrivals, departures and connections. Personal assistants can meet customers at a predetermined location, provide check-in and luggage assistance, help navigate TSA security checkpoints and help determine the best ground transportation options for travelers’ journeys beyond DEN.
In addition to their meet-and-assist services at DEN, Airport Butler offers personalized services including car service reservation, lounge access and other customized options to fit travelers’ unique needs while waiting at the gate.
Travelers needing extra assistance can click here to make a reservation.
Picking up Passengers
Shopping, Dining and Entertainment
DEN has a variety of new food, beverage and retail options for passengers to enjoy, with 17 new openings in 2026 to date. Some of the most recent additions include Colorado’s first Taco Bell Cantina and a new food court featuring Chick-Fil-A, Shake Shack, Qdoba and Fat Sully’s Pizza on Concourse A; Mile High Game Day, Runway and Rye Lounge, Mile High Deli, and RCKY MTN Supply Co. on Concourse B; Bjorn’s Colorado Honey and InMotion on Concourse C. Check out all other amazing offerings at DEN.
Parents looking for areas for their little ones to burn off some steam can visit DEN’s newest play area, now open near Gate A25. DEN’s first alien-themed play area is located near Gate C48.
DEN Customer Service
Have a question about traveling through DEN? Passengers can reach out to DEN’s customer service team by calling 720-730-IFLY (720-730-4359). Text us your questions at 720-902-9351. Passengers can also click the “Chat with an Agent” button on FlyDenver.com to connect with one of our DEN Live Agents via chat between the hours of 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.
DEN Lost and Found
Lost an item while traveling through DEN? The airport’s lost and found only receives items lost in public areas of the airport. To file a claim, or learn more, visit FlyDenver.com/ at-the-airport/services-and-amenities/lost-and-found/.
Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $47.2 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.
