Emergency rental assistance

What is rental assistance?

Who is eligible?

Are some Coloradans more likely to receive assistance?

How do I apply?

Do I need to login to submit a pre-application form?

How do I create an account to fill in the pre-application form?

I made a mistake on my pre-application! Can I resubmit?

Can I submit a second application or resubmit my application?

How will I know if I was selected from the random selection?

What if I'm not selected by random selection?

If I'm not selected for assistance, can I reapply?

Can a landlord apply on behalf of a tenant?

Can I apply on behalf of someone else who needs assistance?

Do I need to disclose my immigration status or demonstrate citizenship?

Which documents do I need to apply?

How much funding am I eligible for? 

What expenses do you cover?

Is the portal available in other languages?

When will the Department begin accepting applications?

What can I do if I want to apply but the pre-application is no longer open?

Who will be processing my application and payment?

How long will it take to receive a payment?

If I have a question about the status of my application, who can I contact?

I was denied because I didn’t provide adequate documentation. Can I re-apply?

I was approved for rental assistance previously, can I apply again?

Can I get assistance for rent on my mobile home or mobile home lot?
 

What is rental assistance?

The Department of Local Affairs 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 behind on your rent, but are not currently being evicted, see below for more information on how to apply for assistance.
• If you are currently experiencing an eviction and have a court summons (Forcible Entry and Detainer), please contact the CARE Center by calling or texting 1 (720) 356-0174 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 available.  If you are unsure if you have a court summons (Forcible Entry and Detainer), this example may help.

Who is eligible?

Individuals are eligible for emergency rental assistance if they:

• Are residents of Colorado; and
• Have a valid lease in Colorado; and
• Have an income below 80% of the median for their area. You can find out whether your income falls under that level by county here; and
• You 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 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, 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 experienced a substantial life event that negatively impacted your ability to pay rent, which could include:
    • A healthcare event, including mental health;
    • A loss or decrease in income;
    • A death in the family; 
    • A need to leave your home due to domestic abuse; and/or
    • A substantial unexpected expense, such as a car repair; and
  • You have not received rental assistance from an emergency rental assistance program within the past 12 months.
  • You have not received 18 months of rental assistance cumulatively throughout the duration of the rental assistance programs.
  • You attest to having been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applicants will only be provided assistance for their primary place of residence.

Are some Coloradans more likely to receive assistance?

The State is currently prioritizing those with a court summons for an eviction and who have submitted associated documentation and been verified. However, Coloradans who are behind on their rent and meet the eligibility requirements may apply for assistance.

How do I apply?

The Department will be accepting pre-applications from those needing rental assistance on a monthly basis until funding is exhausted. However, the Department anticipates that the demand for assistance will exceed the funds available, and therefore the Department will not be able to serve all eligible Coloradans. 

Interested parties will be asked to complete a pre-application available on the DOLA website. A limited number of pre-applicants will be randomly selected and invited to apply for assistance, based on funds available. 

Selected applicants will be sent an email inviting them to complete a full application on the online portal within the following seven (7) days. 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 above. The form is anticipated to open for a three (3) day period each month, when funding is available.  

Do I need to login to submit a pre-application form?

Yes, applicants will need to create an account (see instructions below) and log-in to submit a pre-application form. Applicants may only submit the form once. 

How do I create an account to fill in the pre-application form?

To create an account, complete the following steps:

1. Select the URL to enter the pre-application form. At the top, select the “Log in” button.
   
2. On the login page, select one of the following options:
   1. Select the “Sign up now” button to create an account; or
   2. Select the Google or Microsoft options to sign in with an existing Google or Microsoft account.
      
3. If you elected to use either your Google or Microsoft account, follow the prompts to link your account. If you elected to create an account, follow the prompt by entering your email address and selecting “Send verification code.”
   
4. Check your email account, where you should have received an email with a numeric code from an account titled “Microsoft on behalf of AccessGov.” Return to the create an account form and type the numeric code into the verification code box, then hit “Verify Code.”
   
5. Once your code has been verified, complete your set up by selecting a password, filling in your first and last names, and hitting the “Create” button.
   
6. Once your account is created, you can log-in with the email address and password you just used and to complete the pre-application form.

If you need technical assistance to complete the form, please contact the CARE Center by calling 1 (720) 356-0174 or 1 (888) 480-0066, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain time.

I made a mistake on my pre-application! Can I resubmit?

If you forgot to attach your court summons/eviction document on your pre-application, please contact the CARE Center by calling or texting 1 (303) 838-1200 or 1 (888) 480-0066 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time. For any other mistakes in your application - they can be addressed if you are selected to apply.

Can I submit a second application or resubmit my application?

No, applicants may only submit the form once. 

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 at this time. 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 be approved once found eligible.

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 opens again for pre-applications, you may apply with a new pre-application.    

Can a landlord apply on behalf of a tenant?

No, the tenant must apply on their own behalf.

Can I apply on behalf of someone else who needs assistance?

Applicants must create an account and login to submit a pre-application, and may only submit once. 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 (720) 356-0174 or 1 (888) 480-0066, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 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.

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.

Which documents do I need to apply?

Pre-Application: When completing the pre-application, you will only need your ID and your court summons for an eviction, if you have one.  You do not need the documents listed below at this stage, but it is a good idea to start collecting documentation.

Full application: If you are selected by random selection to receive assistance, you will have seven (7) days to provide the necessary documentation and submit a complete application. The following documents are required to complete your application and be approved for assistance:

• Identification (ID), including:
  • 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).
• Lease
  • Executed residential lease (signed by both the tenant and the landlord/agent) that names tenant as tenant of property.  
  • If you do not have a written lease, other documentation may be considered through a waiver process.
• Documents identifying the balance of rent due, including:
  • A full ledger of unpaid rent amount, and the respective due date (if available).
  • If the tenant is not listed on the lease but is a member of the household or has a sublease, they are still eligible if they can demonstrate at least one payment made to the landlord or named leaseholder for the month immediately when requesting assistance, documents demonstrating the sublease agreement, and a ledger of unpaid rent. Additional documents may be requested.
• Demonstration that the applicant’s income level is at or below 80% of the area median income, which may be documented with:
  • 2023 Tax Documents
  • Current pay stubs
  • 2023 W2
  • Documents showing your eligibility for another income-restricted program approved within the past 12 months, which may include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Old Age Pension (OAP) program, or the Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND).
  • The document listed above will ensure the most timely processing of your application. However, if you don't have one of the documents listed above to verify your income you may still submit an application and our providers will work with you to demonstrate eligibility.
• Notice of late rent from landlord, which can include:
  • Provision of an eviction notice, notice of non-payment of rent, or notice to quit; or,
  • Provision of documentation showing the tenant is currently in process of mediation as required by HB 23-1120; or
  • Provision of a current eviction action within 60 days.
• In addition, you will be asked to attest that you:
  • Are applying for rent for your primary residence; 
  • Do not have another source of funds with which you could pay that rent; 
  • Have experience a substantial life event that caused you to fall behind on your rent; and
  • Have not received assistance in the past 12 months (note, this will be verified).

Additional documentation may be requested to confirm your eligibility after your application has been submitted. If you do not submit full documentation, review of your application will be delayed and may be denied.

How much funding am I eligible for? 

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.

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.

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 (720) 356-0174 or 1 (888) 480-0066, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain time.

When will the Department begin accepting pre-applications?

Find out when the Department will be accepting pre-applications above. The form is anticipated to open monthly while funds are available.

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 indicate your interest and be submitted for consideration. If selected, you will be invited to submit a complete application. 

If you are currently being evicted, you may be eligible for more immediate support. Please contact the CARE Center by calling or texting 1 (720) 356-0174 or 1 (888) 480-0066, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain time for your assistance options.

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 your 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 (720) 356-0174 or 1 (888) 480-0066, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain time.

How long will it take to receive a 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 weeks after it has been submitted and sent to our nonprofit partners. 

Once all application materials have been received and your application has been approved, your landlord can expect to receive a payment within approximately 14 days.

Note that rental payments are made directly to landlords, not to the tenant.

If I have a question about the status of my application, who 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 may 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 (720) 356-0174 or 1 (888) 480-0066, 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.    

I was approved for rental assistance previously. Can I apply again?

If you previously received rental assistance and it has been at least 12 months since your last rental payment was covered, you may apply 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. 

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.