Updates to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Effective January 21, 2025 the Division of Housing will be implementing the following changes to the emergency rental assistance program:
- Only households that have not received rental assistance in the last 24 months will be eligible for funding.
- Eligible households must fall at or below 60% AMI. Check your household’s AMI level on HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) website.
- The maximum allowable number of months will no longer be capped at 18 months of total assistance. Households that received 18 months in rental assistance under Treasury funding (ERAP) are eligible to apply for CERA funds, provided they qualify under all guidelines and have not received assistance from another local, state, or federal source in the last 24 months.
The Division of Housing (DOH) has emergency rental assistance funding for Coloradans who have fallen behind on their rent, meet income limits and other qualifying factors, and are at risk of eviction or displacement. The random selection will be open to Coloradans, and those facing eviction will continue to be prioritized.
Please note that funds are only available temporarily and will be disbursed until fully exhausted. We understand that there is more demand than funds available and our top priority is to ensure that we can meet as many Coloradans' needs as possible in an equitable, clear and efficient manner.
Individuals Experiencing Evictions
Individuals who already have a court date for eviction proceedings may apply via this pre-application during the pre-application period. Individuals with a demand notice for non-payment of rent also may apply via this pre-application. If the pre-application period is closed, please contact the CARE Center by calling or texting 1 (303) 838-1200, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time to get more information about immediate support that may be available.
Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance
Not Currently Accepting Pre-Applications
The next pre-application window is slated to open at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 21, and close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 23. Please check back for updates.
The Application Process
Applicants will only be provided assistance for their primary place of residence.
Interested individuals will be asked to complete a pre-application. They will have three days to submit. After this period, there will be a random selection, and selected applicants will be invited to apply for emergency rental assistance.
Pre-application: The pre-application for emergency rental assistance is currently closed. Please check back for updates.
Applicants experiencing an eviction are required to provide a copy of a court summons at this step, in order to be prioritized for assistance. If applicants are having trouble obtaining this document, they are advised to reach out to their local court.
The timing of pre-application submission does not impact an applicant’s chances of receiving rental assistance in the random selection process.
Submitting a pre-application earlier does not increase the likelihood of receiving rental assistance.
Selection Process: The random selection is open to Coloradans who are behind on their rent and those facing eviction will continue to be prioritized. Once the pre-application window closes, all applicants will be entered into a random selection. Selected applicants will receive an email invitation to complete a full application on the online portal within seven (7) days. To be considered for assistance, applicants must be eligible for assistance, submit the completed application and all required documentation before the deadline.
Eligibility
Funding Eligibility
Awards will be limited to the amount a household needs to be stabilized, and is not intended to provide ongoing rental support.
Awards cannot exceed seven months of rent, or $10,000, whichever is a lesser amount.
Non-Receipt of Prior Assistance
Applicants must not have received a rental assistance benefit from any emergency rental assistance program within the preceding 24 months.
Residency Requirement: Applicants must be residents of Colorado.
Lease: Applicants must hold a valid lease within the state of Colorado.
Income Threshold: Applicants' household income should not exceed 60% of the median income for their respective area in Colorado.
Risk of Eviction or Displacement: Eligibility includes being at risk of eviction or displacement due to:
- Falling behind on rental payments.
- Receiving formal demand for rent payment from the landlord, evidenced by:
- An eviction notice.
- Ongoing eviction proceedings.
- Notice of non-payment of rent or a notice to quit.
- Documentation indicating participation in mediation as required by HB 23-1120.
- Receipt of a court summons (Forcible Entry and Detainer).
- Lack of alternative funds to cover rental obligations.
Substantial Life Events: Applicants must have experienced a significant life event that has negatively affected their ability to pay rent. These events may include, but are not limited to:
- Healthcare-related events, including mental health issues.
- Loss or reduction of income.
- Bereavement due to a death in the family.
- Need to vacate the residence due to domestic abuse.
- Encounter with substantial unexpected expenses, such as car repairs.
General Questions
What is rental assistance?
The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) has funding available for emergency rental assistance for Coloradans who have fallen behind on their rent, meet income limits and other qualifying factors, and are at risk of eviction or displacement.
- If you are currently experiencing an eviction and have a demand notice or court summons (Forcible Entry and Detainer), please contact the CARE Center by calling or texting 1 (303) 838-1200, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time to get more information about immediate support available. If you are unsure if you have a court summons, this Forcible Entry and Detainer example may help.
Is the Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program the same as the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program?
No, the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program used federal funds, whereas the Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program will use state funds from Proposition 123.
The maximum amount of assistance available to each household, as well as the application process will remain the same. However, key changes are outlined below:
- Area Median Income (AMI) limit will be reduced from 80% to 60%;
- The lookback period will increase from 12 to 24 months.
- The 18 month cap on lifetime assistance that existed with the ERA program will not apply to the CERA program.
Please see the notification box at the top of the DOLA’s Emergency Rental Assistance website for a full list of changes beginning January 21, 2025.
Who can receive assistance?
Individuals are eligible for emergency rental assistance if they:
- Are residents of Colorado; and
- Have a valid lease in Colorado; and
- Have an income at or below 60% of the median for their area. You can find out whether your income falls under that level by county; and
- Are at risk of eviction or displacement, which includes:
- You are behind on your rental payments; and
- You have a document from your landlord demanding rent payment, which could include a demand notice, an eviction notice, a current eviction action, notice of non-payment of rent or a notice to quit, evidence of documentation showing the tenant is currently in process of mediation as required by HB 23-1120, a sheriff’s notice, or a court summons (Forcible Entry and Detainer); and
- You do not have another source of funds with which you could pay that rent; and
- You have not received rental assistance from a local, state or federal emergency rental assistance program in the past 24 months.
I previously received rental assistance. Can I apply again?
If you previously received rental assistance and it has been at least 24 months since your last rental payment was covered, you may complete the pre-application process for assistance again if you meet all the other eligibility requirements.
Can I get assistance for rent on my mobile home or mobile home lot?
If you are a renter, you may apply for assistance to cover your mobile home rent and any associated lot fees if you meet all the eligibility requirements.
Rental payments for either the manufactured home or the parcel of land the manufactured home occupies are eligible for financial assistance. Households renting manufactured housing or the parcel of land the manufactured home occupies may also receive assistance for utilities and other expenses related to housing.
Application Questions
What do I need to apply?
Complete applications will require a valid ID, a valid lease in the state of Colorado, court documents and/or demand notice demonstrating risk of eviction or displacement, and updated income information as available. More detail on what documents are accepted can be found on DOLA’s Emergency Rental Assistance website.
How and when do I apply?
Interested parties will be asked to complete a pre-application available on the DOLA website. A limited number of pre-applicants will then be randomly selected and invited to complete a full application for rental assistance, based on funds available.The Department will be accepting pre-applications from those needing rental assistance on a monthly or bimonthly basis until funding is exhausted.
Selected applicants will be sent an email inviting them to complete a full application on the online portal-Applicants must complete the application and provide all requested documentation prior to the expiration of the seven (7) days to be considered for assistance.
Find out when the Department will be accepting pre-applications (along with step-by-step instructions on how to apply). The form is anticipated to open for a three (3) day period each month while funding is available.
How will I know if I was selected from the random selection?
If you are selected, you will be contacted via email and invited to complete an application on the Neighborly portal. Additional instructions will be provided via the email you receive. Note, however, that being selected does not guarantee you will receive assistance. To receive funds, you must still complete a full application before the deadline, submit all required documentation, and meet all eligibility requirements.
What if I’m not selected by random selection?
If you are not selected, you will receive an email with other resources/options for assistance.
If I’m not selected for assistance, can I reapply?
When the State re-opens pre-applications, you may complete a new pre-application.
Is the portal available in other languages?
The portal is available in other languages. You can select your preferred language under 'User Options' in 'My Profile'. If you need additional translation assistance to complete an application in Spanish or another language, please contact the CARE Center by calling 1 (303) 838-1200, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain time.
What can I do if I want to apply but the pre-application is no longer open?
If the pre-application is no longer open, you will need to wait for the next open cycle to apply.
If you’d like to discuss other available resources, please contact the CARE Center by calling or texting 1 (303) 838-1200, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain time for available options.
Assistance and Next Steps Questions
How much emergency rental assistance can I potentially receive through CERA?
CERA maximum assistance amounts are seven (7) months or $10,000, whichever is lesser. The amount received depends on the past-due balance of the household as determined through the application process. Although some households may be available for limited prospective rent assistance, awards will be bound to the maximum limits outlined above.
What expenses do you cover?
Assistance may be used to cover your rental payments on a short term basis and may also cover associated fees if required to protect you from displacement.
Who will be processing my application and payment?
The State of Colorado has partnered with several nonprofit organizations to provide rental assistance. One of those nonprofits will review your application, reach out for additional information if needed, and process payment. Please respond promptly if you are contacted by representatives from one of our nonprofit partners. If you have questions about the status of your application and who is processing it, please contact the CARE Center by calling or texting 1 (303) 838-1200, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain time.
If I have a question about the status of my application, whom can I contact?
After you have submitted your application, you should receive a confirmation email with a link to the application portal. You should be able to track the status of your application by logging into this portal.
Once your application is under review, you will be contacted by one of our nonprofit providers to answer additional questions or to provide additional information. If you have been contacted by one of these providers, please work with them directly to complete your application and ask about your application’s status.
If you have further questions, please contact the CARE Center by calling or texting 1 (303) 838-1200, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain time.
I was denied because I didn’t provide adequate documentation. Can I re-apply?
If the State opens again for pre-applications, you may apply with a new pre-application. If you believe that your household was wrongfully denied, you are invited to appeal the decision via the instructions provided in your denial letter.
Specific Questions for Tenants and Landlords
For Tenants/Applicants:
I made a mistake on my pre-application! Can I resubmit?
If you forgot to attach your demand notice, court summons, or other eviction document to your pre-application, please contact the CARE Center by calling or texting 1 (303) 838-1200 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time. Any other mistakes in your application can be addressed if you are selected to complete the full application.
Can I submit a second application or resubmit my application?
No, applicants may only submit the form once per pre-application period.
Can I apply on behalf of someone else who needs assistance?
Applicants who are unable to access email, the internet, or need other assistance should contact the CARE Center for assistance in submitting a pre-application by calling 1 (303) 838-1200, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time.
If selected to complete a full application, applicants who need support completing the full application may also contact the CARE Center at the contact information above.
Do I need to disclose my immigration status or demonstrate citizenship?
No, you will not be required to provide any documentation related to citizenship or your immigration status to apply for rental assistance. You will, however, be required to upload some form of ID. See below for the forms of ID that will be accepted:
- Valid driver’s license or identification card issued from any US State or Territory; or
- US military or a military dependent identification card; or
- US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner card; or
- Native American Tribal Document; or
- Document issued by any instrumentality of government (US or foreign), or
- Document issued by an educational institution (US or foreign).
For Landlord/Property Managers:
Can I apply on behalf of a tenant?
No, the tenant must apply on their own behalf.
What forms does a landlord or property manager need to provide, once a tenant’s application is being processed?
Property owners/managers will need to provide verification of tenancy for the time period for which emergency rental assistance is being requested.(i.e. a current lease) as well as financial information, including a W9 dated within the past six (6) months. Other verification documents may be requested by DOH or provider agencies on a case-by-case basis. Please note that landlords who provide a social security number (SSN) in lieu of an EIN will be required to submit a form of identification (state ID, drivers license, etc).
How and when will I receive the assistance payment?
Our nonprofit partners have small teams who are committed to reviewing your application as quickly as possible. We aim to review all complete applications within four to six (4-6) weeks after it has been submitted.
Once all application materials have been received and your application has been approved, you can expect to receive a payment within approximately fourteen (14) days.
How is this rental assistance different from prior rental assistance programs? How is it different from Denver’s program?
Over the past few years, the State and local governments have provided rental assistance through a combination of one-time Federal funding, and State and local funding sources. These programs have different eligibility requirements, and the application process may vary. The following forms of assistance are or were recently available:
- The Emergency Rental Assistance (ERAP) Program is funded by the Federal government and is administered by the State. This program currently prioritizes households with a court summons who are in the eviction process.
- Denver’s Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) Program serves Denver residents only. More information can be found on their website.
- The Temporary Rental Assistance Grant was funded with State funds by HB23b-1001. Assistance from this initiative is available for households who are behind on rent and at risk of eviction or displacement. This initiative provided funding through June 2024.
- Other local governments may have their own rental assistance programs. Please visit your city and/or county’s website to find available local resources.
Are Denver residents eligible for rental assistance from the Department? Should I apply to Denver’s program first? Can I apply to both?
Denver residents are eligible for rental assistance from the Department, if they meet all of the eligibility requirements. However, if you have already applied for assistance through Denver’s TRUA program, you cannot receive assistance from both.
Immediate Housing/Rental Assistance
Individuals facing homelessness or eviction can find resources by calling 2-1-1 Colorado. While the Division of Housing doesn't provide immediate aid, 2-1-1 connects people with emergency shelter, food, rental assistance, healthcare, and more.
2-1-1 Colorado is a confidential and multilingual service in Colorado that focuses on linking residents with essential services through phone or online channels. This service operates via four Area Information Centers across the state.
No matter where you are in Colorado, dialing 2-1-1 gives you access to local resources for food, housing, child care, counseling, or substance abuse treatment. It's the one number for the help you need.
- View the 2-1-1 Colorado website.
- Call 2-1-1 Colorado.
If you are a resident of Denver, Colorado, you may be eligible for the Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) Program.
If you are a resident of Jefferson County, Colorado, you may be eligible for the Eviction Prevention Program.