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.
- Access the COVID-19 Basic Needs Services for Community Members
guide here. Updated 5/4/2020
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:
- Boulder Office of Emergency Management
- Boulder County Public Health
- Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
- State of Colorado COVID-19 Website
- Boulder Community Health
- Centers for Disease Control
- World Health Organization
- Call CO-Help at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 or email [email protected] , for answers in English and Spanish
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 or Spanish - COVID-19 Response to Evictions and Foreclosures FAQ
- Get information from the basic needs guide about Eviction and Foreclosure Information - Información sobre Desalojamiento y Juicio Hipotecario
- Get information from the basic needs guide about Rental and Mortgage Payment Assistance- Asistencia con Pagos de Renta y de Hipoteca
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 .
- Learn how to make face coverings.
- What you need to know about face coverings.
- Where to buy face coverings or request donations.
- Donate face coverings, materials or time.
- Local Groups and Resources are listed in the FAQ section.
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.
- Get information on Food and Grocery Assistance - Asistencia de Comida y Despensa
- Get information on Health Care: Physical, Dental, Mental Health- Cuidado de Salud: Fisico, Dental y Salud Mental
- Get information on Mental and Behavioral Health- Salud Mental y de Comportamiento
- Food Tax Rebate Program: Individual appointments for community residents who do not have access to printing or photocopying services can be made at 303-441-1836.
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 Updated 4/20/2020 or Spanish - COVID-19 Response to Evictions and Foreclosures FAQ 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 . 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.