About columbine security
Professional Security. Built on Experience. Focused on People.
Columbine Security is a locally owned and operated Colorado security company founded in September 2025, and helped to found the Columbine Group in February 2026. We provide professional armed, unarmed, event, and mobile patrol security services throughout the state, serving commercial, residential, healthcare, government, and public-facing environments.
Our company was built with a simple belief: security should be professional, accountable, and structured — not improvised. We exist to raise the standard of how security services are delivered, managed, and supported.
Our Mission
Our mission is to change how the security industry conducts business.
Too often, security providers focus on filling posts at any cost, placing underprepared personnel in positions without proper oversight or support. That approach creates risk for clients and burnout for officers.
Columbine Security takes a different path. We focus on taking care of our people, taking care of our clients, and building structured security programs that are sustainable, professional, and dependable. We do not “throw bodies in spots” just to fill a hole. We assign the right personnel, provide clear expectations, and maintain consistent oversight.
When our officers succeed, our clients are protected — and that alignment drives everything we do.
What Sets Us Apart
Leadership with Field Experience
Columbine Security is led by professionals who have worked in security roles and security management firsthand. We understand the realities of the job, the importance of preparation, and the need for strong operational structure.
Professionalism First
Our officers are trained to maintain a calm, controlled presence while prioritizing communication and de-escalation. We protect people and property while supporting the experience and standards of the environments we serve.
Accountability & Communication
Clear reporting, structured supervision, and defined post orders are central to our operations. Clients remain informed, and expectations remain consistent.
Colorado-Based & Community-Focused
As a locally owned company, we understand the needs of Colorado communities and businesses. We are invested in building long-term partnerships, not transactional contracts.
leadership
Adrian Ellars
Chief Executive Officer
Adrian Ellars is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Columbine Security and Columbine Group. With over seven years of experience in the security industry, Adrian has built his career from the ground up; starting as a frontline security officer and advancing into leadership, operations management, and support management roles.
Much of Adrian’s experience was developed in healthcare security environments, where professionalism, rapid decision-making, and de-escalation are essential. Working in settings that required calm leadership under pressure, Adrian gained firsthand experience managing complex incidents, coordinating with medical staff and emergency responders, and maintaining safety in highly sensitive situations. These experiences shaped the leadership approach he is known for today: security must be disciplined, professional, and rooted in strong human judgment.
Adrian leads with a servant leadership philosophy, believing that the best operations are built by taking care of the people doing the work. He emphasizes officer support, clear expectations, and consistent supervision—not just to improve performance, but to build a culture where team members feel valued, prepared, and trusted. His focus on people-first leadership is central to Columbine Security’s mission to raise the standard in an industry that too often prioritizes filling posts over building sustainable, well-managed programs.
As Adrian progressed into supervisory and operational leadership, he became responsible for staffing oversight, performance management, post order development, client relations, and program execution across multiple sites. His combined field and management experience gives him a practical understanding of what security clients need, what officers need to succeed, and how to build security programs that work in real-world environments.
In September 2025, Adrian co-founded Columbine Security with the goal of building a company that operates with higher standards, stronger structure, and a commitment to professionalism. Under his leadership, Columbine Security is focused on delivering dependable protection while redefining how security services are managed across Colorado.
Josh Smoot
Chief Operating Officer
Josh Smoot is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Columbine Security, bringing over seven years of progressive experience in private security operations and leadership. He began his career as a frontline security officer and steadily advanced through supervisory roles before serving as an Operations Manager for a previous employer. His career progression reflects both hands-on field experience and executive-level operational oversight, giving him a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to build and sustain effective security programs.
Throughout his career, Josh has worked extensively in corporate security and commercial real estate environments, supporting office buildings, business parks, and professional facilities where consistency, presentation, and reliability are critical. His experience includes overseeing access control programs, managing patrol operations, supervising personnel across multiple sites, and ensuring compliance with client expectations and operational standards. Having worked in diverse settings and encountered a wide range of real-world scenarios, Josh developed a disciplined, solutions-oriented approach to security management.
Before and alongside his security career, Josh served as a firefighter and EMT. His time in the fire service strengthened his commitment to serving others and reinforced the values of teamwork, preparedness, and accountability. Operating in high-pressure emergency situations sharpened his ability to assess risk quickly, coordinate effectively, and prioritize safety above all else. That foundation continues to shape his leadership philosophy and his dedication to building strong, supported teams.
As Chief Operating Officer, Josh oversees daily operations, personnel deployment, training standards, and service execution across Columbine Security assignments. He is deeply committed to creating structured systems that promote accountability, clear communication, and operational consistency. His leadership reflects a firm belief that strong security programs are built through preparation, supervision, and a genuine commitment to taking care of the officers who represent the company in the field.
Our Commitment to clients
When organizations choose Columbine Security, they are choosing more than coverage — they are choosing a structured security partner.
We work closely with property managers, business owners, event organizers, and facility administrators to assess risk, define expectations, and implement coverage plans that fit the environment. From daily on-site officers to specialized event security and mobile patrol programs, our goal remains the same: provide reliable protection delivered with professionalism and integrity.