DEN Rebuilt Security Screening
For years, one of the most common traveler complaints about Denver International Airport (DEN) was that security lines could feel unpredictable. A line that looked short could slow down. A checkpoint that worked well on one trip might not be the best choice the next time. And for regular DEN travelers, the old mental map of which checkpoint served which type of screening could make the terminal feel more complicated than it needed to be.
That experience has changed. DEN rebuilt security around two mirrored checkpoint areas on Level 6 of the Jeppesen Terminal: West Security and East Security. Together, they serve all airlines and all gates, and they give travelers a much simpler answer to a familiar question: which security checkpoint should I use?
Two additional checkpoints will eventually be added to the terminal, giving travelers even more options. One checkpoint will be added at the southern end of Level 5, providing convenience for passengers arriving via RTD buses and the A Line commuter rail. The second checkpoint will be added near international arrivals on Level 5 for easier connections for international travelers.
What Changed: Two Checkpoints on Level 6
Security screening at DEN is now centered on two large checkpoint areas on Level 6. West Security opened in early 2024, and East Security opened on Aug. 5, 2025. East was built to mirror West, with 17 screening lanes, creating a more balanced setup on both sides of the terminal.
The move is part of DEN’s Great Hall Program, the roughly $2 billion effort to modernize the Jeppesen Terminal, improve passenger flow and support the airport’s Vision 100 plan. For security, the key changes are both procedural and structural. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rule changes allow travelers to keep shoes on, and new bag screening enhancements allow everything to stay in the bags. The result has been a faster screening experience.
East and West Security, Side by Side
East Security and West Security are designed to work the same way. Both checkpoints serve all passengers, all airlines and all gates. Both accommodate standard screening, TSA PreCheck, CLEAR and CLEAR with TSA PreCheck. That means the old habit of matching a specific screening service to a specific checkpoint no longer applies in the same way.
If you are entering the terminal from the west side, West Security may be the most convenient option. If you are entering from the east side, East Security may be the easiest choice. If one posted wait time is shorter than the other, use the shorter line. The best checkpoint is usually the one closest to where you already are, unless the wait-time signs tell you otherwise.
What Actually Makes Screening Faster Now
The biggest improvement is speed and consistency. Before the new checkpoints opened, the average time through DEN security was about 10 minutes. With the new East and West checkpoints operating, the average has dropped to about four minutes.
That does not mean every traveler will always get through security in four minutes. Airports still have rushes, weather impacts, airline schedule peaks and holiday surges. But the rebuilt system gives DEN more lane capacity, a more balanced terminal layout and fewer decisions for travelers to make when they arrive.
There is also less backtracking. Because both sides serve the same traveler groups, passengers do not need to cross the terminal just to find a specific service. That simplification matters during busy travel periods, when even small decisions can add time and stress.
How to Pick a Checkpoint During Peak Hours
Peak hours still matter, even with faster checkpoints. DEN is often busiest early in the morning from about 3 to 4:30 a.m., midmorning from about 8 to 10 a.m. and again in the afternoon from about 3 to 5 p.m. During those windows, security lines can grow quickly as banks of flights depart close together.
The best strategy is to plan for the travel day you are actually flying. Check DEN’s current security wait times before you leave for the airport, then check the signs again when you arrive. If East and West are similar, use the checkpoint on the side of the terminal where you entered. If one is clearly shorter, follow the posted wait time.
If you are being dropped off and do not need to check a bag, using the closest side of the terminal can save time. On the West Departures level, look for doors 606 through 600; TSA PreCheck access is closest to doors 602 and 600. On the East Departures level, look for doors 601 through 605; TSA PreCheck is closest to doors 601 and 603. If you are parking, checking bags or visiting an airline counter, follow terminal signs from your airline area to the nearest checkpoint.
Getting to Your Gate After Security
After screening, travelers can head down to the Train to the Gates. Or, for those traveling out of Concourse A travelers have the option of walking over the A bridge after clearing security and avoiding the train altogether.
The Bottom Line
DEN rebuilt security to make it faster, safer and easier to navigate. The airport now has two primary checkpoint areas on Level 6, East Security and West Security, and both serve all airlines, all gates and all major screening options. The average security time has improved from about 10 minutes to about four minutes, while the mirrored layout gives travelers a simpler way to choose a line.
Lines can still change during peak hours, but the playbook is easier now: check current wait times, use the closest checkpoint when waits are similar, and follow the shorter posted line when they are not. For travelers who remember the old security setup, the biggest improvement may be this: you no longer need to guess where to go before you can get on your way.