Quick COVID-19 Resource Guide for the Denver Community

Written By Mariam Abdalgadir

Thank you to the Denver Office of Behavioral Health Strategies for this resource.

 General Information on COVID-19

General Assistance Information

  • Denver 211

    • Operators ready to help you find the resources you need

    • Web-based search for resources near you

  • Denver 311

    • Operators ready to help you find the City of Denver resources you need

  • Denver Human Services

    • Food, cash, and medical assistance

    • Child care

    • Child support

    • Jobs

    • Aid for older adults

    • Shelter and housing

    • Additional assistance

  • Benefits in Action

    • Food resources – whether it’s SNAP navigation and application assistance or finding open food banks and pantries

    • Access health care and need help navigating services and applying for benefits

    • Navigating and/or applying for Medicare benefits

    • Assistance paying for heat

    • Just need someone to talk to

  • Front Range Mutual Aid

    • If you are looking for help, or looking to provide help, this group can help you connect with others

Denver Public Schools Computer Helpline for Parents (Grandparents)

  • DPS has a hotline to help parents (and grandparents) who are attempting to connect their kids’ computers to the online learning environment.

    • Help is available at the DoTs Hotline 720-423-3888. After selecting “1” or “2” for English or Spanish, option 3 is for help with devices including Chromebooks. Once you press “3” it will ask if you are a DPS parent. If so, press *

 Food Assistance

  • Org

    • Lists food pantries in the Denver Metro Area (can search by city or zip code for closest location)

  • COVID-19 Emergency Hunger Relief Fund

    • This Fund will provide flexible resources to entities working to support the food and nutritional needs of communities who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic consequences of the outbreak.

 

   Health Supports and Guidance

  • Health Coverage for the Uninsured

    • Connect for Health Colorado has opened an emergency Special Enrollment period from Friday, March 20 thru Friday, April 3, 2020. Coloradans who are currently uninsured or about to lose coverage due to COVID-19 are able to get health insurance that starts April 1, 2020.

  • Walgreens

    • FAQs for the pharmacist

    • Shopping options

Assistance for the Elderly

  • Denver Office on Aging

    • Includes links to:

      • Denver Coordinated Workgroup (excellent list of resources)

      • Older Adult Resource Director

      • Adult Protective Services

      • Disability services

      • And more

Financial Assistance (and Other Supports) for Workers

  • Unemployment Insurance

    • During layoffs, all employees are encouraged to apply for unemployment insurance. Those who are job-attached (meaning workers will be expected to return after a separation of up to 16 weeks) should file as “job attached”.

  • One Fair Wage

    • Emergency COVID-19 tipped and service worker support fund

  • Service Industry Relief Efforts

    • Colorado restaurants and other food-service businesses are banding together to make sure industry workers are not left behind during the coronavirus crisis.

  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act

    • The Families First Coronavirus Response Act responds to the growing health and economic crises with provisions for paid sick leave, free testing and expanded unemployment benefits. Here’s a brief description of what’s in the package.

  • IRS Free File

    • Includes a number of free online filing options for both federal and state returns available for households making $69,000 or less.

  • com

    • Through United Way’s partnership with H&R Block, every household with a simple return can file their federal and state taxes for free (this option does not include filers who are contract workers, i.e. Uber or Lyft drivers).

  • Work-Share Program

    • May allow certain employees who have reduced hours to claim partial unemployment benefits

  • Colorado Emergency Child Care Collaborative

    • Are you someone whose job involves providing an essential service (health, safety, etc.) in the state of Colorado, in need of backup childcare? If so, this is the child care collaborative for you.

  • Emergency Paid Leave Rule

    • This rule is meant to limit the spread of highly contagious disease and enables workers in at-risk occupations to access testing

Workplace, Labor, and Employment Resources

  • Federal Loan Assistance for Small Businesses

    • Colorado small businesses impacted by COVID-19 can now seek individual small business loans up to $2M as part of the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

  • Small Business Emergency Relief Fund (City of Denver)

    • Denver Economic Development and Opportunity (DEDO) is setting up an emergency relief program to provide cash grants up to $7,500 to qualifying small businesses. The highest priority will be the industries most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, such as the food industry.

Mental Health Support

  • Colorado Crisis Services

    • 24/7 support from licensed clinicians and peer professionals

    • Referrals to walk-in crisis centers

    • Resources locator

  • Kind Connection Program (Spark the Change Colorado)

    • Kind Connection brings individuals within the community together by phone to support one another during these difficult times. Our Kind Connection volunteers are equipped with relevant and accurate information, resources, and tools to help you navigate this uncertain time.

  • Colorado Mental Wellness Network #IsolationHacks

    • CMWN is rolling out new ways to pass on wellness virtually. To support our community and those having a challenging time with physical distancing, we will be posting daily tips and opportunities to keep our community motivated and well.

Housing Services

  • A Colorado Tenet’s Guide to Covid-19

    • This tenant’s guide was put together by a local attorney who has studied the patchwork of eviction moratoriums and other proactive measures put into place throughout the state. (DISCLAIMER: This post should not be construed as legal advice, and I am not an attorney – Candi Cdebaca.)

  • Energy Outreach Colorado

    • Bill payment assistance for households across Colorado who can’t afford their home energy costs

  • Denver Water

    • Denver Water has suspended all water shut-offs due to delinquent payment to ensure all customers have access to their drinking water.

  • Xcel Energy

    • Xcel Energy will not disconnect service to any residential customers until further notice. If you have difficulties paying your bills, contact them and they will help you set up a payment plan that works for you.

Phone Payment Assistance

  • Lifeline Program

    • Lifeline program has provided a discount on phone service for qualifying low-income consumers to ensure that all Americans have the opportunities and security that phone service brings.

Internet Accessibility

  • Internet Essentials

    • Comcast is offering the Internet Essentials package free for low-income customers for 60 days

 Relief Funds for Non-Profit Organizations

  • Coloradans COVID Relief Fund (Gov. Polis Office)

    • The Colorado COVID Relief Fund’s purpose is to raise funds and coordinate the allocation of those contributions.

    • Organizations helping with the response to COVID-19 will be able to apply for funds starting the week of 3/23/20.

  • Colorado Assistance Fund (El Pomar Foundation)

    • Grants from the fund will be distributed to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or government entities supporting access to appropriate healthcare and meeting basic human needs such as food access, rent and utilities assistance, and emergency services for individuals and communities impacted by the virus.

  • Critical Needs Fund (The Denver Foundation)

    • First round of grants from the Critical Needs Fund focused on nonprofit organizations engaged in collaborative COVID-19 work, with an emphasis on organizations that may not have access to federal relief funding.


Mariam Abdalgadir
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