Colorado has over 14,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night — one of the highest rates per capita in the country. Denver accounts for the largest share, but Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Pueblo, and resort communities like Aspen and Vail all face significant homelessness driven by a severe shortage of affordable housing and one of the fastest-rising rental markets in the nation.
Emergency hotel and motel voucher programs operate across Colorado through a combination of state, county, and local nonprofit resources. This guide from House for Homeless explains how to find emergency hotel assistance anywhere in Colorado tonight. For programs in other states, see our hotel vouchers for homeless national guide.
Need a hotel voucher in Colorado tonight? Call 211 immediately — Colorado 211 is available 24 hours across all 64 counties. Tell the operator your city or county and that you need emergency hotel or motel assistance. Veterans call 877-424-3838.
How Emergency Hotel Vouchers Work in Colorado
Colorado does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) — administers state housing funds and ESG
- County Departments of Human Services — Colorado’s county-level social services
- Community Action Agencies — a statewide CAA network
- Continuums of Care — Colorado has several CoC regions; Denver Metro CoC is the largest
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Colorado has invested significantly in homelessness response in recent years, including the Colorado Homeless Contribution Income Tax Credit and dedicated state funding through DOLA’s Division of Housing. However, resources remain concentrated in Denver. Rural counties and resort communities have limited formal programs.
Always call 211 first.
Colorado State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) — Division of Housing
DOLA’s Division of Housing administers federal ESG funds and state housing resources, distributing them to local organizations for emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance.
DOLA contact: 303-864-7800 Website: colorado.gov/dola/housing
Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS)
CDHS administers emergency assistance programs through county offices statewide. The Colorado Works program (TANF) and emergency funds can sometimes support hotel placements for families.
CDHS contact: 303-866-5700 Website: cdhs.colorado.gov
Colorado Homeless Contribution Tax Credit
Colorado offers income tax credits to businesses that contribute to homelessness-serving organizations. This incentive has increased nonprofit capacity across the state, including for emergency hotel programs. Ask local nonprofits about current hotel placement availability funded through this program.
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Colorado by Region
Denver Metro Area (Denver, Arapahoe, Adams, Jefferson, Broomfield counties)
Denver has the most robust homeless services infrastructure in Colorado.
Denver Human Services — Denver’s Road Home The City and County of Denver’s lead homelessness coordination office.
- Phone: 720-944-3666
- Website: denvergov.org/homelessness
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; call 211 after hours
Denver Rescue Mission One of Denver’s largest homeless service organizations, providing emergency shelter, meals, and housing assistance for men, women, and families.
- Men’s shelter: 303-294-0157 | 1130 Park Ave W, Denver, CO 80204
- Women and families: 303-266-0231
- Website: denverrescuemission.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Salvation Army of Denver Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 303-861-4925
- Address: 2927 W 7th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Catholic Charities of Denver Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 303-742-0828
- Website: ccdenver.org
Volunteers of America Colorado Emergency housing and support services across the Denver metro.
- Phone: 303-297-0408
- Website: voacolorado.org
The Delores Project (women and transgender individuals) Emergency shelter specifically for women and transgender people in the Denver metro.
- Phone: 303-534-3308
- Website: deloresprojekt.org
Urban Peak (youth ages 15–24) Emergency housing and services for youth experiencing homelessness in Denver.
- Phone: 303-974-4521
- Website: urbanpeak.org
- LGBTQ+ affirming
Mental Health Center of Denver — Assertive Community Treatment Emergency housing assistance for people with serious mental illness.
- Phone: 303-504-6500
Denver CoC / All In Denver Lead CoC coordinator for Denver.
- Website: allindenver.com
Arapahoe County Human Services Emergency housing assistance for Arapahoe County residents (Aurora area).
- Phone: 303-636-1750
See our city guide: Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs and El Paso County
Colorado Springs has the second-largest homeless population in Colorado.
Pikes Peak CoC / Springs Rescue Mission Lead CoC partner and primary homeless service provider in Colorado Springs.
- Phone: 719-632-1822
- Address: 5 W Las Vegas St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Website: springsrescuemission.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Salvation Army Colorado Springs Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 719-633-3004
- Address: 509 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Catholic Charities of Central Colorado Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 719-578-7505
- Website: catholiccharitiesco.org
El Paso County Human Services County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 719-444-5700
TESSA (DV survivors) Emergency housing for domestic violence survivors in Colorado Springs.
- Phone: 719-633-3819 (24-hour crisis)
- Website: tessacs.org
Boulder and the Front Range (Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer, Weld counties)
Bridge House Action Center (Boulder) Day center and housing services for people experiencing homelessness in Boulder.
- Phone: 303-442-8657
- Website: bridgehousecolorado.org
Mental Health Partners Boulder County Emergency housing and mental health services.
- Phone: 303-443-8500
OUR Center (Longmont) Emergency assistance and housing services for Boulder County residents in Longmont.
- Phone: 303-772-5529
- Website: ourcenter.org
Catholic Charities Northern Colorado (Fort Collins/Greeley) Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 970-484-5010
- Website: catholiccharitiesnoco.org
Homeward Alliance (Fort Collins — Larimer County CoC) Lead CoC coordinator and comprehensive homeless services in Fort Collins and Larimer County.
- Phone: 970-493-4231
- Website: homewardalliance.org
Weld County Human Services County emergency housing assistance for Greeley area residents.
- Phone: 970-304-6430
Pueblo and Southern Colorado
Pueblo CoC / Pueblo Rescue Mission Lead CoC and primary homeless service provider in Pueblo.
- Phone: 719-545-5767
- Website: pueblorescuemission.org
Salvation Army Pueblo Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 719-543-7737
Catholic Charities Pueblo Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 719-544-4233
Pueblo County Human Services County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 719-583-6100
Western Slope (Mesa, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Pitkin counties)
Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley (Grand Junction area) Emergency shelter and housing services on the Western Slope.
- Phone: 970-241-0049
- Website: homewardboundgv.org
Lift-Up (Rifle/Garfield County) Community Action Agency serving the Roaring Fork Valley and Garfield County.
- Phone: 970-625-4550
- Website: lift-up.org
Eagle County Human Services Emergency housing assistance for Eagle County (Vail area).
- Phone: 970-328-8840
Summit Community Care Clinic (Breckenridge/Summit County) Healthcare and housing referrals for Summit County residents.
- Phone: 970-668-4040
Note on resort communities: Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, and Telluride have significant hidden homelessness — workers who cannot afford local rent. Local employers, housing authorities, and workforce housing programs may be additional resources. Call 211 and specify your situation.
San Luis Valley and Southeast Colorado
- Valley Wide Health Systems (Alamosa area): 719-587-6300
- CARE Housing (Southeastern Colorado): 719-546-1446
- Local churches — primary emergency resource in rural Southern Colorado
Rural and Mountain Colorado
Colorado’s rural counties — particularly on the Eastern Plains and in the mountains — have very limited formal hotel voucher programs. Primary resources:
- Your county Department of Human Services — find at cdhs.colorado.gov
- Community Action Agencies — call 211 for your nearest CAA
- Local churches — primary emergency resource in rural Colorado
- 211 — always call first
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Colorado
| Priority Group | Colorado-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority statewide |
| Families with children | Top priority; county Human Services can authorize placements |
| Domestic violence survivors | CO DV Hotline: 1-888-788-7091; TESSA (Colorado Springs): 719-633-3819 |
| Veterans | Strong VA resources in Denver, Aurora, Pueblo, Fort Collins |
| Youth ages 15–24 | Urban Peak (Denver/Colorado Springs) LGBTQ+ affirming |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most county programs |
| LGBTQ+ individuals | Urban Peak and Delores Project in Denver explicitly affirming |
| Resort community workers | Hidden homelessness; local employer and housing authority resources |
| People in recovery | Some programs require sobriety; others are low-barrier — ask 211 |
| Rural Eastern Plains residents | County DHS and local churches primary resources |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Colorado — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 64 Colorado counties.
Step 2: If you are in Denver, call Denver Rescue Mission at 303-294-0157 (24 hours) or Denver Human Services at 720-944-3666.
Step 3: If you are in Colorado Springs, call Springs Rescue Mission at 719-632-1822 (24 hours).
Step 4: If you are in Fort Collins, call Homeward Alliance at 970-493-4231.
Step 5: If you are in Pueblo, call Pueblo Rescue Mission at 719-545-5767.
Step 6: Contact your county Department of Human Services.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your Colorado Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Colorado SNAP at colorado.gov/peak or call 1-800-536-5298. With zero income you qualify for maximum benefits and expedited 7-day processing. See our guide on how to apply for SNAP when homeless.
Apply for Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado): Apply at colorado.gov/peak. Health First Colorado covers healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry: In Denver, call All In Denver or 211. In Colorado Springs, contact the Pikes Peak CoC through Springs Rescue Mission. Elsewhere, call 211. See our guide on types of housing assistance programs for all your options.
Apply for rapid rehousing: Call 211 and ask for rapid rehousing referrals. Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Boulder all have active programs. See our emergency rental assistance guide for another immediate option.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local Colorado PHA. Denver Housing Authority: 720-932-3000. Colorado PHAs have long waitlists — apply now to multiple PHAs simultaneously. See our Section 8 guide and browse all housing voucher programs for more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in Colorado?
Call 211 from anywhere in Colorado — available 24 hours across all 64 counties. In Denver, call Denver Rescue Mission at 303-294-0157 (24 hours) or Denver Human Services at 720-944-3666. In Colorado Springs, call Springs Rescue Mission at 719-632-1822. In Fort Collins, call Homeward Alliance at 970-493-4231. Your county Department of Human Services is also a key resource.
Does Colorado have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. Colorado does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel assistance is funded and administered locally through county human services, Community Action Agencies, CoCs, and nonprofits. Resources are most concentrated in Denver and Colorado Springs — rural counties and resort communities have significantly fewer options. Call 211 for what is available in your specific county.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Colorado?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority across Colorado’s emergency housing programs. County Departments of Human Services can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for families through Colorado Works funds. Call 211 and specify that you have children.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Colorado?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Colorado has VA resources in Denver (Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora), Pueblo (Pueblo Community-Based Outpatient Clinic), and Fort Collins with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
Are there hotel vouchers in Colorado ski resort areas?
Resort communities like Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, and Telluride have significant worker homelessness and housing instability, but fewer formal hotel voucher programs. Contact local county human services (Eagle, Summit, Pitkin counties), local Community Action Agencies, and call 211. Some resort employers and local housing authorities also maintain emergency housing funds for workers.
Can I get a hotel voucher in Colorado without ID?
Many Colorado programs serve people without identification. Do not let lack of ID prevent you from calling 211. Free Colorado ID programs are available through the Colorado Department of Revenue — ask 211 for ID assistance resources in your county.
What is Health First Colorado?
Health First Colorado is Colorado’s name for Medicaid — free healthcare for low-income residents. Apply at colorado.gov/peak or call 1-800-221-3943. Health First Colorado covers medical, dental, mental health, and substance use treatment services.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Colorado?
Most Colorado emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions while longer-term housing is arranged. Denver programs sometimes offer longer placements for families with children. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and enter Denver’s or your local coordinated entry system immediately.