DENVER — Travelers at Denver International Airport faced relatively manageable security lines Tuesday, March 24, 2026, with real-time waits ranging from just a few minutes to around 15 minutes at most checkpoints, even as a partial federal government shutdown continues to affect Transportation Security Administration staffing nationwide.

Frontier Airlines planes stand at gates on the A Concourse at Denver International Airport in Denver.

Denver International Airport, known as DEN, operates two main security checkpoints — East and West — in its Jeppesen Terminal. As of midday Tuesday, the airport's official website showed East Security with standard lane waits of 0-4 minutes and TSA PreCheck at 1-5 minutes. West Security reported higher but still moderate times: standard lanes at 8-14 minutes and PreCheck at 8-12 minutes. Times are estimates and can fluctuate quickly based on passenger volume.

The airport's live monitoring page confirmed similar figures, with both checkpoints open from 3 a.m. to 1 a.m. for standard screening. TSA PreCheck hours vary slightly by day and checkpoint, generally running from 4 a.m. until early evening. CLEAR expedited screening is available at the East checkpoint.

Unlike some major hubs reporting hours-long delays amid the Department of Homeland Security funding impasse, DEN has largely avoided severe backups during the spring break travel surge. More than 1.3 million passengers are expected to pass through DEN security between March 11 and March 29, yet wait times have remained shorter than typical peak periods at many other airports.

Airport officials and local news reports attribute the smoother experience to several factors: proactive traveler planning, the single-terminal design that allows easy switching between East and West checkpoints, and community support for TSA officers working without guaranteed pay. Nonprofits, unions and the airport itself have set up gift card drives and food pantries near baggage claim to assist the roughly 50,000 affected TSA workers nationwide, with DEN collecting hundreds of donations in recent weeks.

President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to help at airports, but DEN officials clarified Tuesday that no ICE personnel are currently assisting at its security checkpoints. Operations continue with existing TSA staff, supplemented by overtime where possible.

Third-party trackers and traveler reports aligned closely with official figures. Sites like Takeoff Timer showed current standard security waits around 7 minutes, with PreCheck near 5 minutes. Some earlier peaks during the morning rush reached 30-37 minutes, but lines cleared quickly. Reddit users on Monday noted occasional longer West checkpoint queues but recommended walking to the East side for faster processing.

DEN recommends passengers arrive at least two hours before domestic flights to account for check-in, security and walking to gates in the expansive terminal. For international departures, three hours is advised. The airport offers a free "DEN Reserve" program allowing passengers to book a timed security slot online, available daily from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. for flights departing between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Peak congestion periods remain consistent: early morning from 3 to 4:30 a.m., mid-morning 8 to 10 a.m., and afternoon 3 to 5 p.m. Travelers are urged to check real-time updates directly on flydenver.com/security before heading to the airport, as conditions can change rapidly with flight schedules and staffing levels.

The partial government shutdown, now in its sixth week, has led to higher TSA call-out rates nationally, with some days exceeding 10 percent absenteeism and isolated airports seeing 30-40 percent in certain shifts. At DEN, however, the impact appears muted compared to hubs like JFK, Newark or Atlanta, where waits have stretched to hours. Local coverage noted that while some spikes occurred earlier in March, lines at Denver have generally stayed under 15-20 minutes on average.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR members continue to enjoy significantly faster processing. PreCheck lanes, when open, often move in under 10 minutes even during busier windows. The airport strongly encourages eligible travelers to enroll in these programs for future trips.

Spring break travel has added volume, with families heading to destinations across the U.S. and beyond. Busiest days included mid-March weekends, but as the period winds down toward March 29, volumes are expected to ease slightly before Easter holiday rushes.

Airport spokesperson statements emphasize patience and preparation. "Security wait times can change quickly and there is the potential for longer lines, especially during peak times," DEN's spring break advisory reads. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely while advocating for a swift resolution to the funding crisis in Washington.

Practical tips for travelers today and in coming days include:

- Check flydenver.com/security or the MyTSA app for live updates before leaving home.
- Use the East checkpoint if West appears busier — the walk is straightforward in the main terminal.
- Pack liquids in a quart-sized bag and remove laptops and large electronics early to speed screening.
- Consider DEN Reserve for a guaranteed faster lane during busy periods.
- Allow extra time for parking, rideshare drop-off and potential roadway congestion around the airport.
- Monitor airline apps for any gate changes or delays.

DEN, one of the busiest airports in the world and Colorado's primary economic engine, handled record passenger numbers in recent years. Its unique layout with concourses connected by underground trains helps distribute crowds, but security remains the main bottleneck.

While the shutdown has prompted some TSA officers to quit and others to face financial hardship, community donations at DEN have provided relief in the form of grocery and gas gift cards. Similar efforts are underway at airports nationwide.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, wait times remained in the single digits at East and low teens at West, according to the latest airport dashboard. Overnight and very early morning hours typically see the shortest lines.

Travelers with connecting flights should factor in the time needed to navigate the terminal after security. The airport's train system runs frequently, but walking distances can add up.

Fliers are reminded that while air traffic control and other essential operations continue uninterrupted, the TSA screening workforce is feeling the strain of working without pay. Many officers have expressed dedication to keeping travelers safe despite the circumstances.

For real-time crowd levels and personalized advice, the MyTSA app allows users to report and view traveler-submitted data alongside historical patterns.

Denver International Airport continues normal operations for arrivals, departures and baggage handling. No major flight disruptions tied directly to security delays have been reported Tuesday.

As the shutdown negotiations drag on in Congress, aviation industry groups and travelers alike hope for a resolution before further strain on the system. In the meantime, DEN stands out as a relative bright spot with manageable TSA wait times amid a challenging national picture.

Passengers flying out of Denver today are encouraged to stay informed, build in buffer time and support the hardworking TSA team where possible. With spring break nearing its end, conditions may continue to improve in the coming days.