Denver shelters remain open for people experiencing homelessness with snowstorm approaching
DENVER – To protect the health and safety of the community and help limit the spread of COVID-19, all Denver Human Services facilities will be closed to the public beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020 until further notice. Outreach workers at partner organizations have also been recalled. Denver Human Services is locally run and state-supervised. The decision to temporarily close DHS facilities was made in accordance with guidance from the Colorado Department of Human Services.
While in-person transactions will be unavailable, staff will continue to offer critical support and safety services for Denver’s families through online and phone services from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Services and transactions accessible online or by phone through www.denvergov.org/humanservices or 720-944-4DHS (4347) include:
· Applying for benefits (food, cash, medical, child care assistance, RTD Live)
· Reporting changes
· Submitting documents
· Checking benefits status
· Paying child support
· Access information about rental assistance
· Download applications for energy assistance and property tax relief
To report child abuse or neglect, call 1-844-CO-4-KIDS (1-844-264-5437).
If you suspect that an older adult — or any adult that is considered “at-risk” — is being abused, neglected, or exploited, call our Adult Protective Services hotline at 720-944-4DHS (4347).
Essential operations will continue during this closure and many events and public meetings will proceed as virtual or call-in events. A regularly updated list of current closures, cancellations, and postponements can be found at www.denvergov.org.
While service delivery for Denver Human Services is changing, Denver shelters and services for people experiencing homelessness remain open to the public. As Denver anticipates a spring snowstorm, residents are encouraged to access existing shelters. Anyone needing access to shelter or anyone who encounters someone who needs shelter access, can call 2-1-1 (between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) to be connected to available resources, including transportation assistance for those who are homeless and have disabilities. In an emergency, always call 9-1-1.
