Denver lock work
Keys locked in the car in Denver
Opening a locked car is about as quick as locksmith work gets, and Fixr's survey prices it at $80 to $150. Before paying anybody, find out whether your insurer or a roadside plan covers it already.
Single company per request, named on the call, priced up front. Search that name with the Secretary of State · Who pays us
On this page
Someone inside the car? 911.
Kids and pets in a locked car are a rescue in July and in January. Colorado law protects a bystander who breaks in to save them, if certain conditions are met. The law, step by step.
Check what you already pay for
- Roadside assistance on your auto policy, an auto club membership, or the perk on a credit card.
- The manufacturer's app. Lots of newer cars open from a phone.
- The spare in a kitchen drawer at home, and someone with a car who can bring it.
Survey prices
| What you need done | Survey says | Who published it |
|---|---|---|
| Opening a locked car | $80 to $150 | Fixr (Jan. 2025) |
| Any mobile car locksmith job | $117 to $259 Can reach $456 at night | Thumbtack (Aug. 2026) |
| New car key | $70 to $250 | Fixr (Jan. 2025) |
| Chip (transponder) key | $125 to $250 Includes the part and programming | Kelley Blue Book (Jul. 2025) |
| Flip key | $150 to $300 | Kelley Blue Book (Jul. 2025) |
| Push-button start key | $200 to $400 | Kelley Blue Book (Jul. 2025) |
| Programming a fob or chip key | $50 to $200 | Fixr (Jan. 2025) |
A plain open-the-door job sits at the bottom of those ranges. If the key is missing rather than sitting on the seat, you've moved into new-key territory and the price jumps. Car key replacement.
Denver situations that add time
- Mountain trailheads and Red Rocks. Farther from town means a longer drive for the locksmith and a bigger trip charge. Ask before you agree.
- Garages downtown. Give the level and the clearance; some vans don't fit under a low ceiling.
- Ice. A door frozen to its seal or a lock full of ice slows things down. Winter lock trouble.
On the call
The model and year. The exact spot, down to the row or the trailhead name. ID and registration, which may be sitting in the glove box; that's normal, just mention it.
What Denver callers ask about this
Can a locksmith open my car without damage?
Almost always. Air wedges and long-reach tools are built for exactly this. A slim jim in a modern door can snag wiring and airbag parts, which is the main reason not to try it yourself.
Will my insurance pay for a lockout?
Often, if your policy carries roadside assistance. Ring the number on your insurance card before anyone else; lockouts are a standard roadside service.