High Risk Populations

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Be risk-aware

COVID-19 can impact anyone, however due to both the nature of the virus as well as other factors, certain members of our society are more susceptible. If you fall into one of the above categories, learn more about what to do to protect yourself and others, and what support resources are available.

Generally-speaking, here are the ways to guard against COVID-19:

  • Wear a mask. If it is cloth, wash it regularly. Store in a clean paper bag.
  • Keep six feet of social distance with anyone outside of your safety bubble.  
  • Wash your hands regularly.
  • Use hand sanitizer regularly.
  • Sneeze or cough into a tissue.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly.

Continue if you or a loved one can be considered one of the populations above. 

Seniors

Those over the age of 65 are considered high-risk for succumbing to the more severe effects of COVID-19. It is strongly recommended that members of this age group exercise caution by remaining home at all times. 

Here are some ways to stay home:

  • Utilize delivery for your basic needs
  • Engage technology for appointments and social gatherings
  • Resist invitations from others to go outside 

People With Chronic Diseases

Regardless of age, people with certain predispositions are vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. This includes the following:

  • Diabetes
  • HIV
  • Severe obesity
  • Compromised immunity
  • Lung diseases

If you or someone you love has a chronic disease or previous disposition, Denver Public Health suggests that you guard against infection by staying put and indoors. 

People Experiencing Homelessness

Anyone needing access to shelter or anyone who encounters someone who needs shelter access between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday can call 2-1-1 to be connected to available resources, including transportation assistance for those who are homeless and have disabilities. If it is an emergency, always call 9-1-1.

For after hours and weekend support for mental and behavioral health crises, contact the Colorado Crisis Line at 844-493-8255 or text “Talk” to 38255. 

We work with a wide variety of service providers throughout the community who assist people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless to provide needed resources and services.

For individuals who don't have a selection of sheltering options, it is very important to be diligent to ward against the airborne nature of COVID-19. 

To safeguard at the highest level, consider one of these Denver-area shelters:

Emergency Shelter for Families

Samaritan House
2301 Lawrence St. | 303-294-0241
5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Seven days a week.

The Gathering Place
1535 N. High St. | 303-321-4198
1 – 4 p.m. | Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

The Volunteers of America Mission
2877 Lawrence St. | 303-295-2165
1 – 4 p.m. | Monday through Thursday

Emergency Shelter for Individuals

Lawrence Street Community Center (transportation to men’s shelter)
2222 Lawrence St.
Buses are departing nightly, at approximately 6 p.m., to transport men to different shelter sites.

Denver Coliseum (single men)
4600 Humboldt St.
For access to reserved and overflow beds, individuals should go to the Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St., for possible assignment. Lottery for reserved beds is held at 1 p.m., and overflow beds are assigned from 5-6 p.m. 

Samaritan House, Holy Rosary Emergency Shelter (single women)
2301 Lawrence St.
Limited beds are available for walk-ins. Women in need of shelter can begin lining up at the designated area outside of Samaritan House on Broadway at 4:30 p.m. Beds are assigned each night through a lottery at 5 p.m. Shelter operates from 5 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. 

Delores Project (single women; transgender individuals 18 )
Call for address.
303-534-5411

Urban Peak Overnight Shelter (youth ages 15-20)
303-974-2908

Salvation Army Crossroads (Single men)
1901 29th St.
720-305-4640
Entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Domestic Violence Shelter

SafeHouse Denver (single women; women with children)
24-hour crisis line: 303-318-9989

Day Shelters and Supportive Services

Most day shelters are operating with limited services.

St. Francis Center (men and women)
2323 Curtis St.
303-297-1576
Monday - Friday 6:10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 6:10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

The Gathering Place (women; children; transgender individuals)
1535 High St.
303-321-4198
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Father Woody’s Haven of Hope (men and women)
1101 West 7th Ave.
303-607-0855
Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Urban Peak Drop-In Center (youth ages 15-24)
730 21st St.
303-974-2928
Breakfast served at 8:30 a.m. and dinner is served at 3 p.m.
Monday - Friday 3:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Senior Support Services  (seniors ages 60 )
846 East 18th Ave.
303-832-1622
To-go meals only Monday - Friday 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Overnight Shelter Programs (No Walk-Ups)

Salvation Army Lambuth Center (families)
Contact Salvation Army Family Services Center for information
303-295-3366

Samaritan House (families)
Families only: 720-799-9371

New Genesis (single working men)
303-831-4910

Gift of Mary (single women)
303-860-8040

Family Promise of Greater Denver (Families)
Families can call 303-675-0713 Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for intake to all programs.

 

Other organizations in the area that serve the needs of those without a traditional housing situation include:

Medical and Mental Health Services

Colorado Crisis Services
24-Hour Hotline: 844-493-TALK or text TALK to 38255
Walk-In Crisis Services: 4353 E. Colfax Ave.

Denver CARES Detox
1155 Cherokee St.
303-436-3500

Denver Health
777 Bannock St.
303-436-6000

Mental Health Center of Denver
4455 E. 12th Ave.
303-504-7900

Stout Street Health Center
2130 Stout St.
303-293-2220

Shelter for Pets

Currently our shelters do not allow pets. If you’re experiencing homelessness and need shelter for your pets, animals can be left in the Denver Animal Shelter night drop boxes, which are always open and are indoors so they are heated. 

Certified service pets will always be allowed at our overnight shelters.

Motel Voucher Policies

In some situations, families may be assisted with a motel voucher. 

  • Families with children under the age of 18 are eligible.
  • People may not receive more than 14 nights of motel vouchers within the previous 12 consecutive months.

Families seeking overnight shelter resources can arrive at any of the following locations and times to be assisted with shelter resources and if eligibility and vacancy allows, connected to a short-term motel stay.

  • The Gathering Place (1535 N High St, Denver, CO 80218) 
    Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 1-4 p.m.
  • The VOA Mission (2877 Lawrence St, Denver, CO 80205)
    Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 1-4 p.m.
  • Samaritan House (2301 Lawrence St, Denver CO 80205)
     Seven days a week from 5-8:30 p.m.

Additional Helpful Resources

 

Download the Denver Shelters and Services Resource Guide.(PDF, 127KB)
 

Colorado Crisis Services is a statewide resource for mental health, substance abuse or emotional crisis help, information and referrals. Call, text, or chat online.
 

Metro Denver's Homeless Initiative leads and advances collaboration across metro Denver to end homelessness in our community.
  Mile High United Way's 2-1-1 Help Line is a free, multilingual, and confidential service that connects individuals with community resources and information.


 

Resources for Cleaning & Disinfecting Facilities

  • How to clean and disinfect
  • PPE use for cleaning
  • Additional considerations for employers

 

Essential workers

Essential workers are at the front lines of the pandemic, and are serving the needs of Denver businesses and residents.

Essential workers include:

  • Grocery/food delivery
  • Package delivery
  • Transportation workers
  • City services (refuse) 
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