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.
What is the voucher program?
The Colorado Division of Housing does not have an open waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program at this time.
The Housing Choice Voucher program, formerly known as Section 8, helps low income families pay their rent. Participants generally pay 30% of their monthly income towards the rent and the Public Housing Authority (PHA) pays the remaining balance each month. The demand for housing assistance is great, and resources are fixed. Each PHA has a limited number of vouchers available and most PHAs have utilized 100% of their vouchers. A voucher will only become available for a new waiting list applicant when an existing voucher participant is terminated from the program, or otherwise ends their participation. You can find more information about HCV and waiting lists via HUD.
How do I apply for a housing voucher?
Eligible applicants can contact their local Public Housing Authority (PHA) to inquire about their waiting list dates. Please be aware that in Colorado it is common for the PHA to only open the waiting list to new applicants for two or three days per calendar year, and the list remains closed for the remainder of year to avoid having more families on the list than can be assisted in the near future. Individual PHA’s may have waiting lists opening and closing at any given time, and there is no central source of information for Colorado PHA waiting lists so you should be prepared to track which lists you are on. A list of Colorado Public Housing Authorities can be found at Colorado Public Housing Authority List.
How do I apply for emergency rental assistance?
Emergency rental assistance funding is available for Coloradans who have fallen behind on their rent, meet income limits and other qualifying factors, and are at risk of eviction or displacement. Those facing eviction will continue to be prioritized.
You can apply during the monthly pre-application period. If the pre-application period is closed, please contact the CARE Center by calling or texting 1 (303) 838-1200 or 1 (888) 480-0066, 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.
Individuals with court summons documents may also apply through the CARE Center Daily Random Selection.
How do I apply for emergency mortgage assistance?
The Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (EMAP) is accepting applications. EMAP was created as a temporary, time-limited response to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and the economic hardship it created for many households.
If you receive a “Summons and Complaint for Forcible Entry and Detainer,” it means your landlord has filed an action in court to evict you. Make sure you provide an “answer” (response) to the court by the date and time listed in the summons and/or appear in court at the date and time of your scheduled hearing. If you do not respond or appear in court by the date and time provided, you will lose the eviction case by “default.”
The Colorado Judicial Branch has information and forms on evictions from rental homes, mobile home parks, and unlawful evictions.
You can visit a Court Self Help Center "Sherlock" for assistance understanding and completing these forms.
Colorado Legal Services
Colorado Legal Services Website
Phone: (303) 837-1313. For Adams County, call 720-595-4379.
For Adams County or Broomfield email 17thevictionclinic@colegalserv.org
Other Colorado Legal Services locations around Colorado
Colorado Poverty Law Project
Colorado Poverty Law Project Website
Phone: (303) 293-2217
If you need immediate assistance on a housing-related issue, email contact@copovertylawproject.org.
Community Economic Defense Project
Community Economic Defense Project Website
For legal help, complete a Legal Intake form.
Centro San Juan Diego, Archdiocese of Denver
Centro San Juan Diego, Archdiocese of Denver Website
Phone: (303) 295-9470
Offers free legal advice on housing and immigration matters by phone on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month. Registration is open from 5-7 PM on the day of each clinic. There are no advance sign-up options.
Mi Casa Resource Center and the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association
Mi Casa Resource Center and the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association Website
Phone: (303) 573-1302
Offers a free legal clinic on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 6-8 PM. Participants must make an appointment before the event.
Additional lists of low-cost legal services:
- Denver Bar Association - Legal Clinics and Free Legal Information
- Colorado Women's Bar Association - Community Legal Services
- Colorado Legal Help Center - Find Legal Assistance or Events
- 9to5 Colorado
- Email: 9to5Colorado@9to5.org
- Phone: (303) 628-0925
- Colorado Coalition of Manufactured Home Owners (CoCoMHO)
- Email: info@cocomho.org
- Phone: (720) 591-9031
The Division of Housing does not guarantee the quality or availability of the legal services listed.