Denver-area family resources

Free, confidential help finding food, shelter, utilities, healthcare, childcare, transportation, disability support and emergency assistance. Search online, call 211, or text your ZIP code to 898-211.

A free screening tool that estimates which public benefits and tax credits a household may qualify for, roughly what they are worth and how much work applying takes.

The state portal for applying for and managing eligible benefits, including food assistance (SNAP) and medical coverage.

Free job-search help, resume support, career services and training referrals at centers around the state.

A searchable city directory of local food, housing, health and behavioral healthcare, employment and other community services.

Denver-specific help navigating benefits, plus connections to food, financial and family services.

Find nearby food pantries and distributions, plus help applying for SNAP.

Food assistance through a network of local pantries and distributions. Ask about eligibility and schedules at each site.

Rescued food redistributed through partner agencies and distribution sites. Ask where the nearest distribution is; this is partner-based rather than a walk-in pantry.

Diaper assistance distributed through partner agencies rather than directly to families.

A cost-free resource center and support for eligible families with children 18 and younger. An agency-partner referral is generally required.

Food, clothing, hygiene and baby items, plus youth and family enrichment programs.

Diapers, wipes, baby food and formula through distribution events. Baby gear is available through partner agencies rather than directly to individuals.

Food, emergency financial assistance and one-to-one mentoring for neighbors in need. Ask about service-area requirements and current program availability.

Shelter, meals and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness, including families. Contact the program about current intake options.

Shelter and supportive housing specifically for single women and single mothers. Call ahead to ask about current availability and how intake works.

Shelter and supportive services for unaccompanied women and transgender people experiencing homelessness. Useful when family-shelter eligibility rules don’t fit.

A one-stop center for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors: advocacy, counseling, legal-system support and referrals for housing and benefits. Services are free; this is not an emergency shelter. Call 720-337-4400.

A day shelter and community center with the Refuge Cafe: free lunch, showers, personal care and outdoor gear, a place to rest, and on-site partners and social workers who help people access local resources. They also run a mobile outreach team and a monthly gathering for single moms and their kids. Hours and services change, so check directly before going.

Furniture and household essentials for individuals and families starting over after homelessness or hardship. Request furniture through their intake form; much of the work happens through agency partners, so a caseworker referral can also help.

Move-in essentials such as mattresses, bedding, basic kitchenware and bathroom supplies for people moving from a shelter, vehicle or the street into permanent housing. The organization works mainly with Denver-area social work and housing agencies, so a caseworker referral is often the fastest route. I haven’t used this program myself; confirm current intake and service area directly.

Limited emergency housing assistance and case management for eligible Denver-area households facing homelessness.

Homelessness prevention, diversion, shelter and stabilization support for families.

Cash assistance, schooling, job training and employment support for eligible families. The state page explains how to apply.

Housing-stability assistance, family emergency shelter, outreach and supportive housing. Service areas and eligibility vary by program; shelter spaces and funding are limited.

Programs addressing domestic violence, child abuse and homelessness. Contact the specific program about access, safety needs and available support.

City rental assistance and housing support. The tenant-based rental assistance waitlist is currently closed to new applications, so ask what else is available or check back for the next opening.

Education, self-sufficiency, housing support and child-development programs for parenting teen moms. I haven’t used this program myself; check its age, location and program requirements directly.

Rental assistance for eligible households behind on rent and at risk of eviction. Applications use limited selection windows and depend on funding; check the state page for current application status.

Pediatric medical and behavioral healthcare at clinics and school-based health centers, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

Women’s health services including gynecological and prenatal care, pregnancy services and behavioral healthcare.

Family medicine for women, men and children. Ask the practice about the care and appointments your family needs.

Developmental supports for eligible children from birth through age 2 and their families. Find your local program and referral information.

Nurse home-visiting support for eligible first-time parents, typically beginning during pregnancy and continuing into early childhood. Find a local provider to confirm enrollment timing and eligibility.

A directory of free home-visiting programs by county, including nurse home visiting and programs that pair a nurse or coach with mental-health support and resource referrals for young children. Ask which programs serve your area and how to enroll.

Child-injury prevention, including car-seat checkups and safety workshops. Check local events and availability; this is not a guarantee of a free car seat.

Free six-week workshops plus one-on-one coaching and case management for pregnant and postpartum moms, with transportation, meals and onsite childcare. The organization also runs an onsite baby clothing donation store; ask about maternity items, baby gear and current events.

State and local support for families of children with ongoing or significant health needs, including the HCP care-coordination program for eligible children and youth.

Free prescription discount coupons. Search a medication on the GoodRx website or app to compare prices at nearby pharmacies and show the coupon at the counter, or request a free physical savings card by mail if you'd rather not use a phone. There are no fees and the card doesn't expire. GoodRx is not insurance — it lowers the cash price, and prices differ between pharmacies, so it's worth comparing the coupon price against your insurance copay before you fill.

Parent education and disability advocacy, including help understanding special education rights and school services for children with disabilities.

Emotional and informational support for families of children with disabilities or special healthcare needs, including connections with other parents who have lived it.

Parent advisors, workshops and special education rights resources, focused on underserved families and families facing financial barriers.

Independent living support, disability advocacy, skills training and help working toward goals involving housing, employment and transportation. Has a Broomfield-area office; hours and services change, so check directly.

Disability rights advocacy and legal help with issues such as discrimination, access to services and special education. Eligibility and case acceptance vary.

Employment assessment, training and support for eligible people with disabilities, including students moving toward work.

Advocacy and community inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Local chapters can give more geographically relevant information.

Additional disability-related services for qualifying Medicaid members. Each waiver has its own financial and functional requirements; some have waitlists. A case management agency can help identify the appropriate program.

Childcare subsidies for eligible families, including some parents who are working, looking for work, in school or experiencing homelessness. County enrollment and funding limits apply.

Search licensed childcare and compare quality ratings.

Find a community-based family resource center near you. Centers offer coordinated help shaped by local needs.

Information about establishing, changing and enforcing child support orders.

School services, parent rights and dispute-resolution information for families of students with disabilities.

Food benefits, nutrition education and breastfeeding support for eligible pregnant or recently pregnant people, infants and children under five. Ask a local clinic about current eligibility guidelines.

Income-based discounted transit fares for qualifying riders. Check enrollment requirements and the current fare discount directly with RTD.

Paratransit rides for people whose disability prevents them from using regular buses on their own. Eligibility and service boundaries apply.

Rides to covered medical appointments for eligible Medicaid members. Rides generally need to be booked at least two business days ahead through the transportation line at 855-489-4999. A new transportation provider takes over January 1, 2027, so confirm current booking steps before you rely on a ride.

Nonprofit employment and support services for people with disabilities, including a Colorado Vocational Rehabilitation partnership serving Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties. Also runs mobile shower and laundry services for people experiencing homelessness in the Denver metro area and walk-in counseling consultations for low-income Denver residents. Check the services search on their site for current programs.

Free, 24/7 support by call or text for suicide, mental health or emotional crisis. Call or text 988.

Colorado’s free 24/7 crisis line, with walk-in crisis centers around the state. Call or text 988. The older Colorado Crisis Services line (1-844-493-8255, or text TALK to 38255) has been folded into this system.

Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose. Free Narcan kits are available at all Denver Public Library locations, and the library also offers free overdose-response training.

Health First Colorado covers naloxone at participating pharmacies, a pharmacist can prescribe it, and it is sold over the counter without a prescription. Ask the pharmacy about current cost and stock.

A statewide map of places offering free naloxone, so you can find the closest pickup spot and keep a kit on hand.

Colorado’s 911 Good Samaritan law protects the person calling for help and the person experiencing the overdose from certain drug Possession charges. If someone is unresponsive or breathing slowly, call 911 and give naloxone if you have it.

Online care for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine (Suboxone) prescribing and counseling, available to Colorado residents. Confirm current costs and what your plan covers before signing up.

Seasonal assistance with part of eligible households’ winter heating costs. Applications generally run November through April; check the state page for the current season and requirements.

An energy-bill affordability program for eligible customers of participating utilities. Qualification is connected to LEAP, Energy Outreach Colorado or weatherization; check the participating utilities and enrollment steps.

Year-round assistance for eligible households with past-due energy bills or low fuel, through local partner agencies. Funding and eligibility determine what help is available.

Temporary subsidized phone service for qualifying existing Visible monthly-plan members experiencing job loss, reviewed through Empower Work. New customers cannot use it for their first month. Plan terms, payments and availability vary; check the current offer before relying on it.

Civil legal aid, including housing and public-benefits matters, for eligible people. Assistance depends on income, case type, service area and capacity; not every legal matter is covered.

Legal advice, representation, education and advocacy focused on low-income Coloradans and housing stability. Check current intake, case scope and eligibility; this is a separate organization from Colorado Legal Services.