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Home » Coronavirus Resources for Individuals and Families

Coronavirus Resources for Individuals and Families

The following are resources intended to connect community members to services and information during the coronavirus outbreak in Colorado. For additional resources, visit Boulder County resources for those affected by COVID-19 . See  business resources and  city employee resources for more specific information for these audience groups. 

Accessing Basic Services

The City of Boulder is carefully tracking the needs of our community members relating to impacts from the COVID-19 coronavirus. This work is occurring in close coordination with Boulder County and the many community partners that provide services meeting the basic needs of the community. The link below is a summary of programs provided by the City of Boulder, Boulder County and key community partner agencies. 

Note that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Department has determined that the use of COVID-19 public resources related to testing, treatment, and preventative care will not be counted against immigrants who are subject to “public charge” grounds of inadmissibility when applying for Green Cards. 

Community Connections

As our community responds and adapts to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to work together. Beginning in October, the city, CU and Boulder County are hosting a series of COVID Community Conversations to create a virtual dialogue about our diverse COVID-19 experience. The objective of these conversations is to help align community expectations with public health measures. 

Coronavirus Information

Learn more about COVID-19 at:

Sign up for Boulder County’s  Emergency Alert System for updates directly to your phone.  Sign up for the city e-newsletter , a twice month roundup of news from the City of Boulder.

Donations

The effects of COVID-19 have been felt across the globe and here in Boulder. Many local organizations are directly helping our community by offering assistance to community members experiencing financial challenges due to the pandemic. Click on an organization below to learn about the support options available or to offer a donation.

  • Boulder Community Foundation COVID Fund: Ensures essential services for community members who find themselves at the intersection of being most vulnerable to the virus and most impacted by inequity.
  • Boulder Seniors Foundation: Assists older adults with lower incomes including help with home maintenance, rent, moving expenses, food purchases or medical and dental expenses.
  • Community Food Share: Aims to eliminate hunger in Boulder and Broomfield Counties through engagement, collaboration, and leadership.
  • Community Foundation Boulder County has set up a COVID-19 response donation fund to ensure essential services for community members who find themselves at the intersection of being most vulnerable to the virus and most impacted by inequity. If you are able, consider donating to help those in need during this challenging time.
  • El Centro AMISTAD: Creates opportunities and programs that promote health equity, education, and quality of life for the Latino community in Boulder County.
  • Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA): Provides stabilizing services, innovative programs, and transformative advocacy to strengthen families and create a thriving community. In response to COVID-19, EFAA has ramped up financial assistance efforts to the Boulder community. Visit www.efaa.org/donate.
  • Jewish Family Service (Emergency Assistance Program): Provides limited financial aid and case management to individuals and families facing homelessness in Boulder and Denver.

Evictions and Foreclosures

Many community members are concerned with the financial impact COVID-19 will have on their ability to pay their rent or mortgage. Housing and Human Services Department staff have collected information that may be useful to community members with these concerns.

First, contact your landlord or mortgage company to inquire about available options. If you need help communicating with your landlord, contact the City of Boulder's  Community Mediation Services for information about landlord-tenant mediation.

For more information and resources about evictions and foreclosures, view the, COVID-19 Rentals, Eviction and Foreclosure FAQ pdf  or  Spanish - COVID-19 Response to Evictions and Foreclosures FAQ pdf

Face Coverings (Masks)

City Boulder emergency order 2020-15 requires businesses to ensure employees, vendors and customers wear non-medical face coverings. Employees who do not come into contact with the public are not required to wear such face coverings. Persons with medical conditions, and with a doctor’s note, who cannot wear a face covering are exempt. To report a City of Boulder business in violation, email [email protected] .

Cloth masks and face coverings can help slow the spread of COVID-19. However, they do not provide full protection from transmission and it’s still critical to wash your hands, follow public orders and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Learn how to make your own no-sew cloth face mask and where to buy cloth masks at the  Colorado Mask Project .

Do you have additional face covering questions? Submit your inquiry here.

Financial Assistance

If your employment has been interrupted, you may be able to get help. Contact the Colorado State Unemployment Office at 303-318-9000 or, en español, 303-318-9333. If you need assistance with expenses, Boulder County’s Emergency Family Assistance Agency may be able to help. Call them at 303-442-3042 or visit  https://www.efaa.org/get-help/what-we-do-2/   (en español:  https://www.efaa.org/obtener-ayuda/ ).

The federal government offers a variety of programs to help in times of unemployment and crisis. Get a list of programs from the basic needs guide Financial Assistance - Asistencia Financiera. Also consider that applying for healthcare and food benefits can help to reduce financial burdens.

Homeless Services

People that have already been assessed and referred to a program should continue attending evening shelter at their assigned program location. Program staff will offer instructions to individuals if there are changes to program locations or procedures.

People should call  Coordinated Entry  at 303-579-4404 to discuss year-round programs and shelter options. Coordinated Entry is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Tuesdays, when it is open from noon to 4 p.m. Coordinated Entry services are currently located at Boulder Shelter for the Homeless (4869 Broadway). People can only access Coordinated Entry by calling 303-579-4404. The Severe Weather Shelter (SWS) (2691 30th Street) will be open nightly through April 30 and does not require screening through Coordinated Entry.  After April 30 and through May 31, SWS will only be open if triggered by severe weather thresholds.

All shelters are screening clients prior to entering. Clients that are shown to be symptomatic following screening are transferred to the COVID-19 Recovery Center (CRC) where they can be monitored and given adequate time to rest and recover. Find more information at our Coronavirus FAQs page .

 

Landlord-Tenant Assistance

The City of Boulder’s Community Mediation Service (CMS) provides mediation, restorative justice and meeting facilitation services for City of Boulder residents. CMS also provides neutral information relating to landlord-tenant matters. Visit the link below for more information on these services.

For more information and resources about landlord-tenant matters, view the, COVID-19 Response to Evictions and Foreclosures FAQ pdf   Updated 4/20/2020 or  Spanish - COVID-19 Response to Evictions and Foreclosures FAQ pdf  Updated 4/20/2020

Pets

The Boulder Police Department’s Animal Protection Division is working to ensure pet owners in our community are aware of the importance of including a pet plan in your COVID-19 emergency preparedness planning . 

Scams

The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office has warned the public about a variety of tactics used by scammers that are related to the coronavirus. Learn more about coronavirus scams and how to avoid them.

Shopping

Some grocery stores have set dedicated hours for older adults to shop to minimize their potential exposure to the coronavirus. View information about 'senior shopping hours' at Boulder grocery stores pdf. Boulder County Farmers Markets also maintains a Find Your Farmer list of local farmers with food and produce available for sale. 

Survivors of Abuse

Due to isolation and economic uncertainty that exists due to the pandemic, underlying stressors leading to domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse may worsen during this time. Boulder County District Attorney's Office has put together resources for survivors of abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic . 

Trash, Recycling and Compost 

Waste haulers continue to provide both residential and commercial waste collection in Boulder and other communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM), Resource Central, and the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility (HMMF) are temporarily closed. Our newsroom has more information on collection, facilities and proper disposal of items. 

Volunteering

Many volunteer needs and requests are available through the State of Colorado’s Help Colorado Now website at this time. The website has information for individuals looking to volunteer and organizations in need of volunteers .

Community members can visit  bouldercolorado.gov/volunteer or register on  Count Me In to find out about volunteer opportunities with the City of Boulder.

In Boulder, the COVID-19 Recovery Center (CRC) is seeking volunteers to assist with various duties. A team from the City of Boulder, the City of Longmont, and Boulder County initiated the CRC to house individuals amid COVID-19 concerns. This plan includes housing vulnerable individuals who show symptoms of the virus or have tested positive and are currently experiencing homelessness. The response team works under the direction of the Emergency Operations Center for Boulder County. Please  read the full details on the initiative to find out more and sign up. 

Vulnerable Populations Hours 

East Boulder Community Center is offering specific hours during the week for vulnerable populations to lap swim and participate in Aquafit classes. More information on hours and sign ups can be found on the parks webpage.