Help in Colorado
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 22 places in Colorado, most of them in Denver, Colorado Springs and Aurora, plus 12 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people after prison or jail (13) and leaving homelessness (12).
Violence Free Colorado
Colorado's statewide domestic violence coalition. It does not run a shelter or emergency services itself; its site points survivors to the National Domestic Violence Hotline and keeps a map of local Colorado DV programs so you can find the one nearest you.
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.
Division of Adult Parole – Parole and Re-Entry Services
The state parole division runs 19 parole offices and handles transition planning for people leaving CDOC facilities, including a State ID Program, RESTORE, behavioral health transition plans, community re-entry specialists, and WAGEES community partner referrals for employment and housing.
Colorado Chafee Program
Federal Chafee funding administered by CDHS for youth currently or formerly in foster care, covering education, employment, financial management, housing, emotional support, and connections to caring adults. Education and Training Vouchers of up to $5,000 per year are handled through the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
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 Human Trafficking Hotline
Statewide 24/7 call and text line for people who are being exploited, think they may be, or want to help someone who is. Advocates connect survivors with support and can take tips. Run by a Denver nonprofit that also trains service providers across Colorado.
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.
Second Chance Center
Aurora reentry nonprofit built by and for formerly incarcerated people. Offers counseling and substance misuse treatment, employment coaching and an apprenticeship readiness program, peer mentoring, and CREW transitional housing paired with a care manager.
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.
Advocates For Recovery Colorado
Statewide recovery community organization offering free peer recovery coaching, family support, a cultural program, recovery social events, and a list of all-recovery meetings. Services are free and run by people in recovery; the office is in Westminster just north of Denver.
TESSA Safeline
Pikes Peak region crisis line for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking. Advocates do safety planning and connect callers to TESSA's safehouse, housing, legal advocacy, counseling, and children's programs. No police report is required.
Three Birds Alliance Crisis Line
The only 24/7 domestic violence shelter in Aurora and Arapahoe County. Provides emergency and extended-stay shelter for adults, children, and pets, plus licensed counseling, court advocacy, and safety planning. Start with the crisis line.
Rose Andom Center
Denver's family justice center, where domestic violence and sexual assault survivors can meet advocates, legal help, and a health clinic under one roof. Walk in during weekday hours or book an advocate online; after hours the site lists shelter and crisis numbers.
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.
Bridging the Gap
Housing program for young adults leaving Colorado's foster care system. Participants get a housing voucher and a family support coach who works with them on goals, finances, education, and career steps.
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
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
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.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
Start right where you are
Each program has a step-by-step checklist for the first 72 hours, 30 days, and 90 days, so you always know your next step.