Locked Out of Your House in Denver? Do This First

Before anything else, resist the urge to force a window or wedge anything into a door frame. Forced entry — even by the homeowner — can crack door frames, bend hinges, shatter glass, and turn a minor inconvenience into a costly repair. Instead, do a calm, methodical walk around the entire property. Try every exterior door: side doors, back doors, garage entry doors, and any door accessible from a deck or patio. Check every window on the ground floor to see if one was left unlatched — but only open it if it is already unlocked and you can do so without damaging the screen or frame. This one step alone resolves more lockouts than most homeowners expect, especially in older Denver bungalows and ranch-style homes where a side or basement door is easy to forget.

While you're doing that perimeter check, think through the spare key question honestly. Is there a neighbor, family member, or trusted friend who holds a copy? Many Denver households leave a key with someone in the same block — now is the time to make that call. Also check any lockboxes, magnetic key holders, or combination boxes you may have installed near the garage or gate. If any of those options pan out, you're done. If not, keep reading — because your next call should be to a professional, not a crowbar.

Not all residential locks are the same, and knowing what type you have helps you understand why a trained locksmith — not a DIY attempt — is the right call. A standard door knob lock on an interior or lightweight exterior door is one scenario. A deadbolt is another. But many older Denver homes, particularly those built in the early 1900s in neighborhoods like Curtis Park or Whittier, still have mortise lock hardware installed in their original wood doors. A mortise lock is a complex, recessed lock mechanism built directly into a pocket (the mortise) cut into the door's edge. It typically controls both the latch and the deadbolt from a single integrated unit, and its internals are significantly more intricate than a standard cylindrical lock. Forcing or improvising entry on a mortise lock is especially likely to cause expensive damage — to the lock itself, the door, and the surrounding trim.

This is not a reason to worry — it's a reason to call a skilled locksmith who knows how to work with mortise lock systems specifically. Our team handles mortise lock entry, service, and rekeying regularly across the Denver metro area, and we carry the right tools to open them without harming your door. Whether your home has a Schlage deadbolt, a Kwikset knob lock, or a century-old mortise lock set, a qualified professional can get you back inside cleanly.

Once you've confirmed there's no easy way in and you've called for help, your job is to stay safe and comfortable until your emergency locksmith arrives. If it's cold — and Denver winters are no joke, especially after dark — get to a sheltered spot: a covered porch, your car if you have keys to it, a nearby coffee shop, or a neighbor's home. Let someone know where you are. If you feel unsafe at any point — if it's late, isolated, or something feels off — call 911 first. An officer can stand by with you while you wait, though they typically cannot unlock residential doors themselves. (More on that in the FAQ below.)

While you wait, have your ID ready. Any reputable locksmith will ask you to verify ownership or residency before performing entry — this is a standard security practice that protects you and your neighbors. A photo ID matching the address, a utility bill on your phone, a lease agreement, or even a piece of delivered mail visible through a window can all serve as verification. This step is quick, routine, and genuinely important. If a locksmith shows up and skips this step entirely, that should give you pause. Our technicians always confirm identity before beginning any work. Call us now at (704) 850-6756 — we're available around the clock, every day of the year, anywhere in the Denver area.

When a Pro Aurora Locksmith technician arrives, the process is straightforward. After a quick identity and ownership verification, the technician assesses the lock type — whether that's a door knob lock, a deadbolt, a mortise lock, or a multi-point locking system — and determines the appropriate non-destructive entry method. You will receive a clear, specific price confirmation before any work begins. Our policy is that you know the exact cost upfront, with no surprise fees added after the fact. The final quote depends on several factors: the type of lock (a mortise lock system, for example, requires more specialized work than a basic knob lock), the time of day the call comes in, travel distance to your location, and whether any parts or replacement hardware are needed. We never begin work until you have agreed to that confirmed price.

Once inside, the technician can also advise you on the spot about rekeying, spare key cutting, or upgrading your lock if the existing hardware has been compromised, worn, or is simply outdated. This is a good moment to ask questions — about your current lock's security rating, whether your mortise lock needs a tune-up, or whether a smart lock might suit your household better. Our team handles all of it, on the same visit if needed.

The best lockout is the one that never happens twice. Start with the simplest fix: have at least two spare keys made and give one to a trusted neighbor or family member within a reasonable distance. Denver's urban neighborhoods — Baker, Highlands, Stapleton — are tight-knit communities where a neighbor spare key is a genuinely practical safety net. A small combination lockbox mounted discreetly near a secondary entrance is another solid option, giving you secure, code-protected access to a spare without relying on anyone else's schedule.

Beyond spare keys, consider whether your current locks are working against you. A mortise lock or deadbolt that's sticky, slow to turn, or hard to extract the key from is a lockout waiting to happen — and a sign the lock needs servicing or rekeying. If you've recently moved into a Denver home and aren't certain who has copies of your existing keys, rekeying every exterior lock is the smartest first step you can take. Rekeying reconfigures the internal pin tumblers so that old keys no longer work — yes, a skilled locksmith can rekey a lock even without the original key, using specialized decoding techniques. You get a fresh start with new keys, without replacing the hardware. It's one of the most cost-effective security upgrades available, and our team does it same-day across the metro area. Call (704) 850-6756 any time — we answer 24/7 and can often reach you within the hour.