Supporting and Remembering Boulder’s Unhoused Community Members

The winter poses challenges and hardships for our unhoused community members. At the same time, the spirit of the holiday season provides an opportunity for affirmation and renewal regarding our commitment to end homelessness.

To safeguard and support our community is a year-round duty, and in this season of generosity and sharing, we are all encouraged to commit ourselves to promoting compassion and concern for one another, specifically including those who are unhoused.

In remembering those who have died during or after enduring a period of homelessness, the cause of ending homelessness is kept urgent, as is the city’s commitment to preventing such deaths in the future.

The City of Boulder, Boulder County and area agencies offer a variety of programs services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or trying to stay housed.

Boulder Shelter for the Homeless (BSH) also keeps an up-to-date list of resources on the BSH website.

Adult Homelessness Services

Shelter Services

Completing an assessment through Coordinated Entry is a required step for single adults seeking shelter-related services in Boulder County. Coordinated Entry screening includes talking with staff and completing a short assessment to connect someone to the best resources.

Coordinated Entry is available by phone or in person. People in need of Coordinated Entry services can call 303-579-4404 or visit 909 Arapahoe Ave. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 12 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays. If people need shelter services outside of Coordinated Entry hours, they can go to Boulder Shelter for the Homeless from 5 to 7 p.m. and complete the Coordinated Entry assessment at the next available time.

Shelter services can be accessed through either a reserved bed program or standby services. Once a person has completed Coordinated Entry, shelter personnel can explain the requirements and benefits of the reserved bed program. While using the shelter, clients can participate in individualized, case management services.

Critical Weather Sheltering

All beds are made available nightly, regardless of temperature, but participants of the standby program are limited to the number of nights they can use the shelter per year. On nights deemed to reach “Critical Weather” thresholds, the number of available beds are increased to accommodate more individuals.

Reunification and Diversion Services

These services provide light assistance for such things as reunification to families and/or support systems or assistance with landlord communication. The goal of the Reunification and Diversion Services program is to keep people from entering long-term homelessness or the sheltering system.

Housing Services

Homeless Solutions for Boulder County (HSBC) and other nonprofit organizations in Boulder have a robust housing program that matches the appropriate housing intervention and supports to a client’s needs. This can range from transitional housing programs to permanent supportive housing (case managed programs for people experiencing homelessness with significant disabling conditions) and sober living options.

Outreach Services

There are several nonprofits and city staff members that work to engage with people experiencing unsheltered homelessness to encourage connection with resources, housing, and treatment. While not an exhaustive list, this includes the Municipal Court Homeless Navigators, the Homeless Outreach Team, Boulder Targeted Homeless Engagement and Referral Effort, Focus Re-Entry, and a host of coordinated County and nonprofit organizations.

Retention Services

Coupled with peer support services, the Housing Retention Team works to ensure that people can make the difficult transition between long-term homelessness and housing, while at the same time helping to build community and reducing isolation.

Family Services

The Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) provides services for families in need, including:

• Housing
• Food
• Support with critical expenses such as rent and minor medical costs
• Guidance by case managers

EFAA's Housing Program provides both short-term and transitional housing.

Call EFAA at 303-442-3042 to make an appointment with a case manager.

Youth and Young Adult Services

TGTHR provides safe housing, food, clothing, counseling, employment help, health care, transportation assistance and other support services to individuals ages 12 to 24.

• Drop-in Center: Open every day, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Overnight emergency shelter: Open every night, 5 to 8 p.m.
• Appointments: Can be scheduled every day between 8 a.m. and noon.

For more information, call 303-447-1207 or visit the TGTHR website.

Safe Shelters

Domestic Violence

Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (SPAN) provides services including crisis intervention, shelter, legal advocacy and counseling for adults, youth and children who have been impacted by domestic or dating violence or are questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.

If you or someone you know needs help, call SPAN's 24-hour hotline at 303-444-2424 or email hotline@safehousealliance.org.

You can also contact SPAN by phone at 303-449-8623 or by mail at SPAN, 835 North Street, Boulder, CO 80304.

Pregnant Women

Haven Ridge provides safe shelter for pregnant women and women choosing adoption who are in need. Residents can participate in birthing, pregnancy and parenting classes at Boulder Foothills Hospital, paid for by Haven Ridge, and receive information on how to connect with community services, many of which require a legal residence, including pre-natal and birthing health care, Medicaid and Food Stamps, Woman and Infant Children (WIC) program, and Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

• Contact Haven Ridge at 303-447-9602.

If someone is in crisis or there is a reason to worry about immediate safety, call 911.

If there is no life-safety concern, please contact the Boulder Police Department’s non-emergency phone line at 303-441-3333. Dispatchers are trained to determine the right personnel to send to the situation, whether it is CARE, CIRT, the Homeless Outreach Team or Police/Fire.

If you have a relationship with someone experiencing homelessness and it feels safe to do so, you can suggest they connect with Coordinated Entry.