Step 1: Safety First — Assess Your Situation
Before anything else, answer these two questions:
Follow the steps below to get back inside efficiently. Call a 24/7 locksmith as your first action.
Go to the nearest lit, public space (gas station, 24-hr store). Call us from there. If in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Fort Collins is generally a safe city, but being locked out at night — especially in less-trafficked areas like the southwest neighborhoods near Horsetooth, or rural areas toward Wellington or Berthoud — means you shouldn't stand outside alone for long. Get to a lit, public area and call from there.
Step 2: Do a 60-Second Check Before Calling
These are the things people forget in a panic that can save you 45 minutes and $100:
Ground-floor windows, back door, garage door, basement access. One might be unlocked.
Check the ignition, cup holders, under seats, all jacket pockets. People find their keys 30% of the time in the first 60 seconds of a real search.
Family member, roommate, significant other, landlord. Even if it's late — most people would rather be woken up than have you stranded outside.
Many apartment complexes in Fort Collins (like Milestone, Timber Ridge, or The Retreat) have 24/7 emergency maintenance lines. Try this before paying for a locksmith.
Step 3: Call a Local 24/7 Locksmith
This should be your first call if the quick checks above come up empty. A local, licensed locksmith will:
- Give you a clear price estimate before arriving
- Reach you in 25–35 minutes in Fort Collins city limits
- Use professional, non-destructive entry tools — no damage to your door
- Have you back inside in 10–20 minutes after arriving
⚠️ Nighttime Locksmith Scam Alert — Know Before You Call
Unfortunately, late-night lockout calls are a prime target for bait-and-switch scam operations. They advertise nationally and farm calls to local scammers who charge $300–$600 for a basic lockout. Here's how to spot a scam:
- They quote $35–$50 on the phone but present a bill for $200+ on-site
- They have no local address and use generic business names
- They want cash only, up-front, before opening the door
- The technician arrives in an unmarked vehicle with no ID
- They claim to need to "drill" the lock on a standard deadbolt (almost never necessary)
970 Locksmith is a real Fort Collins-based company with a local number, real Google reviews, and a licensed technician who will show you ID on arrival.
What Happens When We Arrive at Night
Here's our step-by-step process so you know exactly what to expect:
Locked Out of Your Car at Night in Fort Collins
Car lockouts at night require an extra safety consideration: where are you?
Call us at (970) 397-2002. We'll come to you. Wait inside a nearby 24-hr business if possible.
Call us and share your precise GPS location. Stay near your car with your phone charged. Turn on your hazard lights so we can find you.
Call 911 to request a welfare check, then call us. Your safety is the priority. We will come to your location — we serve all of Northern Colorado including remote areas.
After You're Back Inside: 3 Things to Do Before Bed
- Make 2 spare keys immediately — Keep one at home, give one to a trusted person. This is the single most effective way to prevent future lockouts.
- Consider a smart lock — Keypad or fingerprint entry eliminates lockouts permanently. 970 Locksmith installs and programs smart locks throughout Northern Colorado.
- If you lost your keys, rekey your locks — If your house keys are truly lost (not just misplaced), rekey your locks tomorrow. It's a $75–$120 service and eliminates the security risk of unknown key possession.
Common Night Lockout Spots We Respond To in Fort Collins
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
We're Available Right Now — 24/7
Don't wait outside. Call Fort Collins' most trusted 24-hour locksmith. We serve Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Greeley, Timnath, Johnstown, Wellington & Berthoud.
25–35 min avg. arrival · Licensed & Insured · Upfront Pricing · No Hidden Fees