Help leaving homelessness in Colorado
We've found 12 places in Colorado for people leaving homelessness, mostly in Denver and Colorado Springs, and 7 that serve the whole state. Our volunteers haven't confirmed these yet, so a quick call ahead is worth it. Most of them help with shelter & housing (6), food (5) and benefits & cash (5).
Places in Colorado
2-1-1 Colorado
Free statewide referral line with a database of more than 6,500 services across Colorado, including shelter openings, food, rent help, mental health and substance use care, legal aid, and help for immigrants and refugees. Dial 2-1-1 or text your ZIP code.
Colorado Refugee Services Program
The state refugee office. It does not serve people directly but funds partner agencies statewide for initial resettlement, service navigation, health and mental health, English classes, workforce services, and immigration legal help. Eligible statuses include refugees, asylees, SIV holders, certain parolees, and trafficking victims.
Vital Records – Birth Certificates
State office that issues certified Colorado birth and death certificates. Orders can be placed online through GoCertificates or VitalChek; the department says normal online processing is about thirty business days.
Colorado Identification Cards
State ID cards are issued by appointment at driver license offices. First-time applicants pre-register online, then bring original documents proving legal name, date of birth, identity, lawful presence, and Colorado address. IDs are free for residents over 60; the DMV lists nonprofit partners who can help schedule appointments.
Colorado SNAP (Food Assistance)
Monthly food benefits for Colorado households with income under 200% of the federal poverty level. Apply online through Colorado PEAK, on the MyCOBenefits app, or on paper at your county human services office, which decides eligibility. The same PEAK account handles Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and cash assistance.
Colorado Legal Services
Free civil legal aid for low-income Coloradans and people 60 and older. Handles evictions, public benefits appeals (Medicaid, SNAP), protection orders, custody, consumer debt, and runs an ID Project. Every applicant goes through intake before a staff member calls back about eligibility.
Lawrence Street Community Center
Men's overnight shelter and three daily meals in downtown Denver. Beds are assigned through a sign-up system; doors open at 2:30 p.m. so men can register, eat dinner, and stay in a safe space until 7 p.m. The Mission does not shelter women or children but gives referrals by phone.
Springs Rescue Mission
450-bed shelter campus in Colorado Springs with Samaritan's Kitchen serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus addiction recovery programs and a clothing and household distribution center. Shelter doors open at 5 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. nightly; anyone can show up for dinner.
Urban Peak
Denver's youth homelessness agency, with street outreach, a drop-in day center, an overnight shelter, transitional housing, GED and college prep, job training, and case management. A direct shelter line is listed separately from the main office.
Marian House Campus
Downtown Colorado Springs campus with a daily community kitchen, case management, navigation, legal services, mail service, help getting identification documents, and shelter referrals for adults without housing.
988 Colorado
Colorado's mental health and substance use line, reached by calling or texting 988. Trained specialists answer around the clock, and the site links to walk-in crisis centers across the state. Replaced the Colorado Crisis Services website in 2026.
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Denver's largest homeless services provider, with health care including the Stout Street Health Center, housing and resource navigation, and Medicaid enrollment help. The main office is on Champa Street in Five Points.
National lines that work in Colorado
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.