DENVER -- They are the first line of defense at Colorado's federal buildings, but CALL7 Investigators have learned many of the security guards may not be as well-trained as they appear.

The guards work for a private company named Am-Gard, based in Pittsburgh, and hired by the federal government.

Am-Gard has been paid millions in recent years to provide security for federal installations in Colorado.

The guards are armed, paid by your tax dollars, and hired to protect, among other things, the 600-acre federal center, the Cesar Chavez building, the Byron G. Rogers federal courthouse, as well as offices of the FBI, FEMA and Social Security Administration.

One whistleblower told 7NEWS, "These are higher target facilities than your average business and our job is to ensure the safety of all the people who work there, anybody who visits there."

Current and former employees of Am-Gard, some who did not want their identities known, told CALL7 Investigator John Ferrugia that many guards are not as fully trained as their federal contract requires, and they say managers of Am-Gard know it.

"Are there times when you're concerned about your safety and the safety of the public because there are people who are not trained?" Ferrugia asked another whistleblower.

"Yes, if the security guards aren't familiar with their posts then it’s hard for them to do their jobs to keep federal employees and the public that come into these buildings safe,” replied the whistleblower.

Using undercover cameras, CALL7 Investigators tracked a group of Am-Gard workers scheduled for baton training.

The federal contract requires they have eight hours of baton training during their bi-annual recertification.

We found them leaving before noon and asked one of the employees, "So you're scheduled for eight hours but you only do five or so?"

He replied, "Yes, sometimes."

"And is that routine?" Ferrugia asked a whistleblower who replied, "Happens all the time."

And, the Am-Gard workers are paid, with your tax dollars, for the full eight hours.

CALL7 Investigators obtained copies of pay stubs of Am-Gard employees which show they were paid for a full 40 hours of training, including some paid overtime, but those employees said they actually received only half the training you paid for.

Am-Gard's contract says, "Under no circumstances shall the instructor provide less than 40 hours of training" for re-certification.

Am-Gard whistleblowers tell 7NEWS the lack of training has caused a number of security concerns at federal facilities.

The CALL7 Investigation found open security gates at the Federal Center, at times when they are supposed to be closed.

We also learned of guards sent to new posts without any training for that specific location despite the requirements of the contract and guards in southern Colorado who were not qualified to carry guns.

"In fact all of them had been pulled off their post because Am-Gard had let their certifications expire for the weapons qualifications," said James Carney.

Carney is the president of the union representing federal security guards, including at one time, Am-Gard workers.

He says the problem is not the guards, but the management at Am-Gard and the lack of federal oversight.

Carney said Am-Gard has been found in violation of federal labor laws on more than one occasion and told 7NEWS, "We've reported all this stuff to the Department of Homeland Security, to their contracting group and they don’t care about it, nobody seems to care."

Ferrugia asked former Am-Gard employee Ed Barela, "Do you think the lack of training creates a huge loophole in security?”

Barela responded, "A huge one. Yes, I do."

Barela's job was to operate the X-ray machine used at entrances to some federal buildings and offices. The machine is called a LineScan.

He said he was never properly trained to operate the machine and never properly trained to identify potential explosives, guns, or knives someone may attempt to bring into the federal facilities.

Barela was ultimately fired by Am-Gard after an incident with a LineScan machine.

An arbitrator determined Barela's firing was "without just cause," citing the lack of adequate training, and ordered Am-Gard to pay Barela more than $55,000.

Evidence used in Barela's defense included certificates claiming he had completed all the training requirements for the LineScan.

He said the certificates were phony.

They were apparently designed to throw off federal auditors or inspectors who would examine employee files to try to determine if Am-Gard workers were properly trained.

Barela said Am-Gard managers were aware that he was untrained of LineScan.

"How'd you get the certificate?" Ferrugia asked Barela.

"I was given that by the person that signed it, Patricia Larson. She's the contract manager of Am-Gard. She's the one that oversees the contract in the state of Colorado." said Barela.

Patricia Larson and her bosses refused our repeated requests for an interview.

We wanted to ask about the alleged phony certificates and why Am-Gard is taking money from the federal government for training hours that were never apparently used.

Am-Gard recently received a contract extension, stretching into next year, from the Department of Homeland Security.

We have repeatedly called the owner of Am-Gard, explaining that we'd like to interview Patricia Larson regarding the issues in Colorado and specifically how Am-Gard conducts business in our state.

He did not return our calls, but an attorney for Am-Gard did call 7NEWS to say Patricia Larson would not speak to us.

Carney told 7NEWS, "In a post 9/11 environment there's nothing more important right now that making sure the security officers are doing their job and doing it right."