COVID-19 Information & Resources

Resources for older adults, people with disabilities, civic news, etc.

COVID-19 Information and Resources

*Updated 12/4/2020

What YOU can do:

Help support local businesses! At weareopendenver.com you can put in your location and see what’s open around you. Don’t forget to wear your mask wherever you go.

Actions you can take to help keep all of us safe during the hoidays:

  • Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Socially distance – at least 6 feet apart from individuals outside of your household
  • Please only interact with your household during the holidays. Consider hosting a virtual dinner or celebration. The CO Dept of Public Health & Environment has issued Thanksgiving guidelines available on their website at https://covid19.colorado.gov/thanksgiving.
  • Add exposure notifications to your phone. This helps with contact tracing to reduce the COVID19 spread: addyourphone.com

Help Slow the Spread

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • If you have symptoms (fever, cough, breathing challenges) or have had contact with someone who has tested positive, stay at home
  • If you need medical care, call your care provider before going in for the protocol to follow; in the case of an emergency where you must call 9-1-1, notify the operator of your symptoms
  • Practice social distancing
  • Remain at home as much as you can
  • Wear a mask when you DO have to go into public spaces
  • Stay 6 feet away from individuals who are not part of your immediate family/circle when you are out in public
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily

Volunteering

Help with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) by Volunteering Remotely or On-Site with VolunteerMatch

This page features virtual and on-site volunteer opportunities to aid communities impacted by COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Thousands of volunteers like you are needed daily. Check back often to find ways you can help during these difficult times.

Did you know there are dozens of organizations who respond to disasters? Many of these organizations utilize volunteers. Click here for a list of organizations who respond in time of disaster.

COVID-19 Responding Organizations

Older Adults & People with Disabilities:

Older Adults

Several retailers have specific hours for seniors and other at-risk populations. Check your local store for specific or updated hours.

• Target & CVS Pharmacies: The first hour of shopping each Tuesday will be open to higher risk guests, including older adults (65+), pregnant women, and those with underlying health concerns.

• Safeway/Albertsons: Two hours, from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m., every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings are reserved for high risk shoppers, including older adults, pregnant women, or those with compromised immune systems.

• Whole Foods: All Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada will let customers who are 60 and older shop one hour before opening to the public (7-8am) on Fridays.

• Costco warehouses will open from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Monday – Friday for members ages 60+, and people with disabilities. Guests will not be admitted. The pharmacy will be open, but the Costco Food Court will be closed during these hours.

A full list of stores nationwide and their at risk shopping hours can be found here.

GoGoGrandparent – Get your food, groceries, and prescriptions delivered with GoGoGrandparent (you do not have to be a grandparent to use this service). Click on their website or call 855-464-6872 for more information

In search of a caregiver? Find one at care.com

Stay entertainedStuck at Home Guide: Easy Online Games

Telephone Buddies – A Telephone Buddy is a volunteer who calls an older adult to check on them, share stories, and make sure their needs are being met. Telephone Buddies share time and bring a sense of purpose. If you want a Telephone Buddy to call you or you want to become a Telephone Buddy, call 303-333-3482, or toll-free 1-855-293-6911 (Benefits Counseling) or 1-855-880-4777 (Spanish).

Guard your Medicare number and more – Scammers may use the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to steal your identity and commit Medicare fraud. In some cases, they might tell you they’ll send a Coronavirus test, masks, or other items in exchange for your Medicare Number or personal information. Don’t fall for it; it’s a scam. Learn more about fraud alerts compiled by AARP.

Help with Utility Bills – The legislature has appropriated $10 million to help individuals and families with higher costs of electricity and utility bills due to economic hardship caused by COVID-19.  This includes older adults in the SAFER AT HOME executive order by the Governor who experience higher electric bills from air conditioning. Pending final approval by the legislature and signing by the Governor, the money will be managed by Energy Outreach Colorado. More information on application assistance and eligibility details is available at 1-866-432-8435.

In addition, the Colorado Department of Human Services’ Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) has extended its benefits to August 1, 2020 (or until funds are expended).

What is LEAP?
LEAP, a federally funded program, provides heating assistance to individuals, families and older adults to help cover the cost of utility bills.

Who is Eligible?

  • A Colorado resident
  • Not claimed as a dependent on someone’s tax return
  • Are lawfully present in the United States
  • Pay home heating costs, either directly to a utility company or to a landlord as part of rent
  • Monthly gross income of: $2,371 (single) or $3,101 (couple)

How to Apply?

  1. Download application or call Senior Answers and Services at 303-333-3482 or toll-free 1-855-293-6911 (Benefits Counseling) or 1-855-880-4777 (Spanish).
  2. Complete application. You will need a Colorado driver’s license or ID card.
  3. Call 1-866-432-8435 to find the address of your county LEAP Office. Submit application by mail at your county Leap Office.

People with Disabilities:

Visit the CCDC website to find more COVID-19 resources for people with disabilities.

Use the links below as additional resources for information and assistance:

High Risk Shopping Hours – Costco warehouses will open from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Monday – Friday for members ages 60+, and people with disabilities. Guests will not be admitted. The pharmacy will be open, but the Costco Food Court will be closed during these hours.

911 services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Residents with Speech Disabilities – 

In addition to TTY services, deaf, hard of hearing, and residents with speech disabilities can now text or email Denver 911 to report emergency and non-emergency situations occurring in Denver and around the metro area.

Text Message: (303) 513-6909
Text Message: (720) 491-0866
Text Message: (720) 723-8911

Email: Denver911@denvergov.org

Be sure to text or email the following information:

  • The location where help is needed
  • A summary of the situation
  • A response to information requested by 911 such as injuries and suspect descriptions
  • Also, stay engaged in the text conversation as much as possible and do not delete the message or turn off your phone until the Denver 911 call taker concludes the conversation.

TTY – 

TTY is an electronic device for text communication with individuals who are deaf. The device uses a series of tones which allow users to communicate via a keyboard and telephone interface at 911. Deaf and hard of hearing community members are encouraged to maintain a TTY machine to access 911 when a text pager or email is unavailable.

Denver’s 911 call takers are trained on the use of the TTY and check all 911 hang-ups and “silent” phone calls or “open lines” using both voice and TTY commands to verify if a member of the deaf or hard of hearing community is on the line.

Registry for Residents with Disabilities – 

You may now submit information about yourself or other members of your household who have disabilities in order to help 911 respond appropriately during an emergency. Your information will remain confidential and will give officers advance warning about your circumstance prior to responding.

This form should not be used to report emergencies. If you have a current emergency, please call 911 immediately. Register here.

Apple Assistance – With the COVID-19 pandemic increasing reliance on technology, Apple says it is rolling out extra help for people with disabilities using its products for remote learning and other purposes. Learn more here.

Civic Information:

*Colorado People’s Action has compiled a list of COVID resources in an informative spreadsheet. The services are city, county and statewide and can be viewed here.

Guidance:

You can check out the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s “dial dashboard” here to keep up to date on Colorado County COVID-19 status. You can also follow this link to find more statistics about cases, both in Colorado and nationally.

Under Denver’s current rules, which last until at least Dec. 18th:

  • No indoor dining at restaurants, however outdoor patios, takeout and delivery will be allowed
  • Offices may only operate at 10 percent capacity or less.
  • Gyms, fitness centers and yoga studios are limited to 10 percent capacity.
  • Retail is limited to 50 percent capacity.
  • Last call will be moved from 10 p.m. to 8 p.m. (That rule applies to outdoor patios.) Alcohol consumption has to be completed by 10 p.m.

Testing 

Here is a tool showing a map of these community-based testing sites throughout the state.

It’s important to remember that these sites are not the only route to testing. The community-based testing sites are meant to fill in the gap for underserved communities outside the main metro regions.

Click here for more information from the City & County of Denver on testing sites.

Stay Active

It may be a challenge to keep your mind and body active during this unprecedented time. Though Denver Parks & Recreation’s rec centers are currently closed, DPR still wants to be a resource for your family’s recreational needs. Denver Parks and Recreation @ Home provides free online programming with diverse options for all ages and abilities to enjoy.

You can find fitness classes, games, art projects and more on DPR’s Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages, along with interactive Zoom classes.

How to join classes:

DPR’s full schedule of activities can be found online and on the Denver Parks and Recreation App (IOS Only). Double-check which day or week you’re viewing if current or upcoming schedules are not immediately visible.

Holidays

Traveling? Get a COVID-19 Test at AAA.

Here are some free Christmas and holiday programs in Denver for those who may need it.

Senior Answers and Services, Inc. is helping low income seniors with free boxes of food for Christmas. Fruit, gifts, bread, and more. Contact them at 303-333-3482.

Schools

With COVID-19 rates reaching dangerous levels across the metro area, Denver Public Schools said Wednesday all K-12 students will shift to remote learning after Thanksgiving. Read the full article here or  view the K-12 Family Guide.

State Government

Gov. Jared Polis has made it official: He will soon call the state legislature back to the Capitol for a rare special session. The goal is to pass a package of bills to provide economic relief and stimulate the state’s economy during the worsening COVID-19 pandemic. Read CPR’s full article here.

Don’t be afraid to get in touch with your representatives! Find your local and state reps here.

Stay updated on COVID-19 issues from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

Local Government

TELEPHONE TOWN HALLS – A live conference call you can participate in from your own home!

Tune in to Channel 8 or go online to watch your city’s legislative branch in action.

County’s town hall meetings can be found here for Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, and Jefferson.

Regional Transportation District (RTD) town halls schedules can be found here.

You can sign up for town halls here for Northeast & Far Northeast, Central/East Central/Southeast

DMV:

All 5 Denver Motor Vehicle branches will be closed to the public starting Nov. 23.

Residents may complete most transactions by mail, phone, or here on denvergov.org/dmv. Residents are strongly encouraged to use online and mail options due to very high call volumes.

Denver Police Department officers and Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Right of Way Enforcement agents will not enforce expired tags in Denver beginning Mon., Nov. 23 until further notice.

Please visit www.denvergov.org/dmv for more information.

Reliable Sources of Information

It’s important to rely on reliable sources of information for accurate information about COVID-19. Below you can find information about specific cases in Colorado, and actions and announcements from Governor Polis:

• CDC web page: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov

• State public health web page: https://covid19.colorado.gov/

• Facebook (facebook.com/CDPHE) and Twitter (@CDPHE)

• CO HELP is Colorado’s novel coronavirus hotline:
– Call 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911
– Email COHELP@RMPDC.org

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