What are TSA wait times at DEN? Spring break adds to challenges

Denver International Airport expects to see more than 1.3 million passengers go through security during the spring break window between March 11 and 29, a challenging amount of traffic in and of itself.

And doing that with Transportation Security Agency workers who are not getting paid because of the partial federal government shutdown seems like a recipe for massive lines.

 That scenario is playing out in airports across the country already, as security workers are calling out so they can work other jobs to pay their bills.

Denver International Airport has yet to be hit as hard, but the potential remains there. March 20 and 22 are expected to be among the busiest days for screenings during the season, according to the airport.

Here is how to get real-time updates on security wait times.

How to check wait times at DEN?

To check wait times at Denver International Airport, go to flydenver.com/security. The page gives waiting times for each checkpoint, differentiating for those who will undergo a standard screening and the line for those with TSA Precheck and CLEAR.

The page also has other important information, including directions on how to sign up for an appointment to skip part of the line at the checkpoints, the latest directions on what to do with your belongings at the screening and how long average walking times are to go to gates.

How long are wait times at Denver International Airport?

As of 2 p.m. MT on March 19, times were:

• East Security, standard: 3 to 7 minutes  
• East Security Precheck: 3 to 7 minutes
• West Security, Standard: 0 to 4 minutes
• West Security, Precheck:  1to 5 minutes

DEN warned wait times can change quickly and noted that the peak times when lines tend to be longest are 3 to 4:30 a.m., 8 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.

What can people do to support TSA security screeners?

With security screeners now missing paychecks and no end to the shutdown in site, DEN is accepting donations of gift cards for gas stations and grocery stores for the workers who continue to show up despite not being paid.

The donations can be dropped off in collection bins and secure lock boxes in the Great Hall of the Jeppesen Terminal and Final Approach, the airport’s cell phone Lot.

“TSA employees just missed their first paycheck, and as we enter a busy Spring Break travel period, we want to do what we can to ease the stress of this moment,” Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington said in a statement.

Why are TSA security screeners not getting paid?

While most of the federal government is fully funded, the Department of Homeland Security ran out of funds allocated by Congress through the typical budget process at midnight on Feb. 13. The dollars are tied up in a dispute over the tactics and practices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with congressional Democrats saying they will not approve more funding for the department without reforms at ICE.

Essential employees can still be called to work during a shutdown, and most workers in Homeland Security’s alphabet soup of agencies and bureaus tasked with protecting the nation are considered essential.

Essential workers are required by law to be paid in full after a shutdown ends, but they do not typically get paid during a shutdown. Most of Homeland Security’s workers are getting paid on time through funds allocated in the Big Beautiful Bill in 2025, but TSA screeners are a notable exception.

How long will the government shutdown last??

There is no clear end in sight. Funding passed by the Republican-led House has been blocked by congressional Democrats. An end-around by Democrats, known as a discharge petition, to get the House to vote on funds for most of DHS — but not ICE — faces an uphill battle. And the Senate has a recess scheduled for March 30 through April 10.

Projections on Kalshi and Polymarket, a pair of prediction markets, have the partial government shutdown lasting through April 13.

Nate Trela covers trending news in Colorado and Utah for the USA TODAY Network.