Rent Assistance in Colorado

Last checked: November 2026. Benefits Explorer is a directory. We do not provide rent money or decide who gets help, and each program makes its own decisions.

Colorado's state rent program, Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA), does not take applications year-round. The Division of Housing opens short pre-application periods, then randomly selects households to submit a full application. Being selected is an invitation to apply, not an approval.

Denver runs a separate program for city residents, Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA), which was not accepting applications when we checked. Outside Denver, help usually comes from nonprofits and county-level agencies whose funding changes often. In the Colorado Springs area, for example, Catholic Charities lost its Emergency Rental Assistance funding on July 1, 2025 and now offers a much narrower program.

If you already have a court summons, go to the helplines below first. The CARE Center asks people with a court date or summons to contact it right away.

Where to Start in Colorado

Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA)

Run by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Division of Housing. It is meant for people who have fallen behind on rent, meet income limits and other qualifying factors, and are at risk of eviction or displacement. Pre-application is open only during set periods, and applicants are then randomly selected to submit a full application. The most recent window we could confirm ran August 10 to 12, 2026. Check the state's page for the next one.

Visit website · Phone: 303-838-1200 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

CARE Center

Call, text or chat for help with Colorado rental assistance, Denver's TRUA program and local resources. Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time. Denver lists the same number for the Community Economic Defense Project, which offers free legal help with a pending eviction.

Visit website · Phone: 303-838-1200 · Accepting applications when last checked

Colorado Housing Connects

A housing helpline that describes itself as an eviction and foreclosure prevention partner. Renters can get help with facing eviction, needing rent help, finding affordable housing and tenant-landlord problems. It also has a tenant-landlord mediation page, and bilingual staff are available.

Visit website · Phone: 844-926-6632 · Accepting applications when last checked

Local Rent Help in Colorado

Denver Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) (City and County of Denver)

Not accepting applications when we checked. The city anticipates a short window in November 2026, with openings dependent on available funds. The 2026 guidelines require income at or below 80% of Area Median Income and a current Demand for Rent or active eviction case, with limited exceptions. Rental help is up to 6 months, one time in 24 months, and total assistance may not exceed $20,000 in that period. Households funded by TRUA in 2025 cannot receive it in 2026.

Visit website · Phone: 303-838-1200 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Denver Human Services Emergency Assistance (Denver)

The city says it is restructuring these General Assistance services, and its page lists no current amounts or detailed rules. Call before counting on this route.

Visit website · Phone: 720-944-4347 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, Homeless Resolution Program (El Paso County, including Colorado Springs)

Limited rent help to prevent homelessness. Its listed rules include income at or under 30% of Area Median Income, a demand or eviction summons for past-due rent, a lease, the ability to pay rent going forward, owing no more than $2,500, and no Catholic Charities rent help in the past 12 months. It also lists deposit help for deposits up to $2,500. Start with its Initial Contact Form.

Visit website · Phone: 719-636-2345 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Mercy's Gate rent assistance lottery (Colorado Springs area)

Catholic Charities points people who do not meet its own rules to a Mercy's Gate rent assistance lottery held Mondays at 4:00 p.m. Confirm current details on the Mercy's Gate site.

Visit website · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

City of Colorado Springs resident resource list (Colorado Springs)

An information-only list of rent, utility and eviction resources, including Tri-Lakes Cares, Westside Cares, Volunteers of America and veteran programs, plus an eviction mediation link. The city department behind it does not provide direct services or referrals.

Visit website · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Facing Eviction in Colorado?

For unpaid rent, a landlord must give a Demand for Rent or Possession with 10 days to pay or move before filing in court, though landlords with certain federal benefits or federally backed mortgages often must give 30 days. Notice periods differ for other reasons: 3 days for a substantial violation such as criminal activity, and usually at least 90 days for no-fault reasons. Colorado Legal Services says that if you pay what you owe before the court issues an eviction for nonpayment, the landlord cannot evict you for that reason. Evictions usually do not happen until at least 10 days after the court rules, and landlords cannot force you out without a court order. Read the official guidance

Free or low-cost legal help: Colorado Legal Services. Free civil legal help for low-income Coloradans who meet income and other requirements, and people age 60 or older may also qualify. Apply by phone, online or in person, with help in your native language. Its eviction clinics help only people on or before the day of their court summons. Visit website · Phone: 303-837-1313

This page is general information, not legal advice. Don't ignore a notice or court papers, because eviction deadlines can be short.

Colorado Programs That Have Closed

You may still see these programs online. Check before you spend time on an application.

  • Catholic Charities ERAP funding (Colorado Springs): Catholic Charities of Central Colorado says it no longer has Emergency Rental Assistance Program funding as of July 1, 2025. Its smaller Homeless Resolution Program, listed above, is separate.

More Help in Colorado

Want other options? See our full rent assistance guide, including how to spot a scam, or see your options. That form is not an application for rent assistance. If you submit it, Benefits Explorer and its partners may contact you.

Colorado Rent Assistance Questions

Is Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance open right now?

It opens only during set pre-application periods. The last window we could confirm ran August 10 to 12, 2026, according to the City of Longmont's notice. The state's own page would not load for our checker, so look there or call the CARE Center for the next dates. Applicants are chosen at random, so submitting a pre-application does not mean you will be invited to apply.

When does Denver's TRUA program reopen?

Denver says it anticipates a short window in November 2026, depending on available funds, but gave no exact date on the page we checked. Applicants need a current Demand for Rent or an active eviction case in most situations, so have that paperwork ready.

Who helps with back rent in Colorado Springs?

Catholic Charities of Central Colorado has limited rent help for El Paso County residents with income at or under 30% of Area Median Income who owe no more than $2,500. Mercy's Gate runs a rent assistance lottery, and the city keeps a list of other local agencies.

What should I do if I already have an eviction summons in Colorado?

Contact the CARE Center right away at 303-838-1200 and apply to Colorado Legal Services at 303-837-1313. Denver also lists the Colorado Poverty Law Project at 303-532-2641 for free eviction legal help.

Rent Assistance in Nearby States

Most programs only help people who live in their state. If you are moving or live near a state line, you can also check:

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