If you are affected by the Federal Government Shutdown, here are Colorado-based resources available to you right now. This guide keeps things simple: handle cash flow, secure food and health coverage, keep your lights and heat on, and protect your housing.
NOTE: This information is gathered from public internet sources. Programs change; always click through, confirm details, and beware of scams (no fees to apply for SNAP, Medicaid, UI, housing, or 2-1-1). If something looks off, call the official numbers on the linked sites to verify before sharing personal info. This is not legal, financial, or life advice; seek licensed professionals for help.
🕐 What to do first (10-minute plan)
- Cash flow triage: File or reopen Unemployment Insurance (UI) via the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE)and certify weekly in your MyUI+ account.
- Food & health coverage: Apply for SNAP (Food Assistance) and Health First Colorado (Medicaid) through the Colorado PEAK portal.
Check WIC for family nutrition support through local health departments. - Keep the heat & lights on: Apply for LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program) and check Xcel Energy, Black Hills Energy, and local utilities for hardship assistance.
- Housing stability: Connect with the Colorado Division of Housing or local Continuum of Care for rent, eviction prevention, or emergency shelter support.
- One-stop referrals: Dial 2-1-1 Colorado or visit their website for statewide help with food, utilities, rent, and legal aid.
🔗 Links & Resources (Colorado)
Income & Jobs
Colorado Unemployment Insurance (MyUI+):
🔗 https://cdle.colorado.gov/unemployment
Weekly certification:
🔗 https://cdle.colorado.gov/myui
Connecting Colorado (job search):
🔗 https://www.connectingcolorado.com/
Food Access
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program):
🔗 https://cdhs.colorado.gov/snap
Colorado PEAK (apply for SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, cash aid):
🔗 https://coloradopeak.secure.force.com/
Food Bank of the Rockies (statewide directory):
🔗 https://www.foodbankrockies.org/find-food/
Health Coverage
Health First Colorado (Medicaid):
🔗 https://hfc.colorado.gov/
Connect for Health Colorado (Marketplace Insurance):
🔗 https://connectforhealthco.com/
Community Health Centers of Colorado:
🔗 https://www.cchn.org/find-health-center/
Heat, Utilities & Weatherization
LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program):
🔗 https://cdhs.colorado.gov/leap
Xcel Energy assistance programs:
🔗 https://co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/support/payment-assistance
Black Hills Energy payment assistance:
🔗 https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/billing-payment/payment-assistance
Colorado Weatherization Assistance Program:
🔗 https://cdola.colorado.gov/weatherization-assistance-program
Housing
Colorado Division of Housing (CDOH):
🔗 https://cdola.colorado.gov/division-of-housing
HUD Colorado:
🔗 https://www.hud.gov/states/colorado
Colorado Continuum of Care contact list:
🔗 https://www.hudexchange.info/grantees/co-coc-list/
One-stop referrals
2-1-1 Colorado (United Way):
🔗 https://211colorado.communityos.org/
Colorado Community Action Agencies:
🔗 https://www.caanet.org/colorado-agencies/
Legal Help
Colorado Legal Services:
🔗 https://coloradolegalservices.org/
Colorado Poverty Law Project (housing & benefits help):
🔗 https://copovertylawproject.org/
Colorado Bar Association referral service:
🔗 https://www.cobar.org/For-the-Public
Crafted by JobsInMyState.com in support of fellow Americans.