Use these resources instead of calling 911, if it's not a true emergency.

Colorado is under a stay-at-home order, and though many of us have experienced shelter-in-place or other such situations in the short term, this is something new.

People have tons of questions and concerns, and some folks are calling local police departments looking for answers. Calling 911 right now should be reserved for true emergencies and those lines need to stay open for those calls; however, there are numerous resources out there that those needing information, support, or assistance can turn to. Here's some very helpful information to help you navigate through the coming weeks.

(To remind everyone, the stay-at-home order means we cannot do certain social activities we normally do. Essential activities like getting groceries, medical care, picking up materials from school, exercise, and other essential services are the only activities we should be leaving the house for. Read the full list of do's and don'ts of a stay-at-home order.)

Call 211 Instead of 911

Call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 instead of calling 911. This is a new hotline set up by the state to help people navigate through the coronavirus closures. You can also check out Mile High United Way for more information. This free statewide multilingual resource line will connect you with support and resources all over Colorado. The site is very detailed and has information on vital services and help for meeting basic needs, tax help, legal resources, pregnancy help, mental health needs, youth resources, senior resources, immigration, refugee assistance, and more. Very useful and can connect people with much-needed support.

Call CO Help at 1-877-462-2911 for general information about the number of cases in the state, symptoms, and help with how to protect oneself.

CPVID-19 Information 

• The Center for Disease Control (CDC)
  • Lots of information online about symptoms, treatment, cleaning, disinfecting, etc..
  • Provides news and updated information about the outbreak and efforts to treat it.
• The Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE)
  • Information on the number of cases in Colorado—data is updated at about 4 p.m. each day.
  • Links to connect with nurse advice lines, answers to frequently asked questions, testing information, and information about isolation and quarantine.
  • Offer a live chat service for the community.
• Municipalities
  • Cities and towns all have support services they can offer to residents during the stay-at-home order.
  • Denver, Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, etc., each have resources they can offer. Check your city website or social media for this information. 
• County Health Departments and Tri-County Health
  • Check with your county to see what resources they have to help out right now. Though many in-person locations are closed, these departments are still providing services for residents.
  • Tri-County Health, for example, has information for several community resources, updates for colleges and schools, senior resources, pet and animal resources, and more.

Courtesy of Pixabay

Grocery Store Hours

Grocery stores are open. Several have designated senior hours several days a week. Please check with the store you want to visit to make sure they are open. Most have implemented social distancing measures to keep people from crowding each other and reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.

• King Soopers and City Market
  • Senior hours – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 7-8 a.m.
  • All other hours will be from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on those days and from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. the rest of the week.
• Safeway and Albertsons
  • Senior hours – Monday-Friday, from 7-9 a.m.
  • Individual store hours are being updated as need be
• Wal-Mart
  • Senior hours – Tuesday mornings, usually 6 a.m. (one hour before regular opening time)
  • Regular hours – most will be open 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
• Walgreens
  • Senior hours – Tuesdays from 8-9 a.m.
  • Regular hours – 9 a.m.-9 p.m., including 24-hour locations
• Target
  • Senior hours – Wednesdays (first hour of opening)
  • Regular hours – Some stores will open at 7 a.m., some at 8 a.m. Closing at 9 p.m. every day
• Sam’s Club
  • Open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekends
• Costco
  • Senior hours – varies by location
  • Regular hours – 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Whole Foods
  • Senior hours – one hour every day at 7 a.m.
  • Regular hours –from 8 a.m.-closing, varies by location
• Sprouts
  • All locations will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m., every day

Food Delivery and Other Services

There are still lots of delivery options if you just don’t want to leave the house. Many local food places are able to deliver alcohol during the stay-at-home order as well, so you can get that supplied too!

Check out our guide to what local restaurants are still offering delivery services! 

You can also buy gift cards to support local restaurants.

Other Services and Support 

• Childcare
  • The Colorado Emergency Childcare Collaborative can help essential workers meet their childcare needs. Many childcare centers are still open.
  • Colorado PEAK is also taking applications for public assistance and can help with childcare.
• Medical Care and Insurance
  • Colorado has opened up a special health insurance enrollment period open through April 3 for those uninsured to enroll in an insurance plan and see if they qualify for any of the state plans. Apply through Connect for Health Colorado. 
• Unemployment
  • Filing for unemployment can be done totally online; there are different forms depending on your specific situation.
  • Due to the high number of applications, those with last names beginning with A through M may file a claim Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or after 12 noon Saturday.  Last names starting with N through Z may file a claim Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or before 12 noon on Saturday.  
• Temporary Work
  • Grocery stores and food delivery services are in great need of workers right now due to the heavy traffic in most stores across the state.  
• Donate
  • The state has set up the COVID-19 Relief Fund, to collect donations to help people in Colorado through this crisis.
  • Local churches and nonprofits are also looking for donations to help the populations they serve.
• Donate Blood
  • Blood banks are facing a critical shortage of blood right now. Every little bit helps so if you can donate blood or platelets please do so. Blood banks across the state have put out an urgent call for help. This is considered an essential activity so you will be ok to head out if you want to donate.
  • You can set up an appointment online with Vitalant. Please do not donate if you are not feeling well, but if you can please strongly consider donating, you could save a life.

Courtesy of Pixabay

Mental Health Hotlines

Isolation and being away from others can take a huge toll on the human psyche, and many people are feeling anxious, sad, nervous, and overwhelmed with emotion. Help is out there, and if you need someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to call one of these hotlines to get in touch with someone right away.

• Colorado Crisis Services
  • Offers free, confidential, and professional support 24 hours a day, every day.
  • Call 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255.
• NAMI Colorado
  • Part of the nationwide NAMI network and offers support statewide.
  • Call 303-321-3104 to access their helpline and get support services.
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline
  • Available anytime day or night to get immediate help.
  • Call 1-800-273-8255.
• LGBT Youth Crisis Line
  • Serves LGBT youth with crisis prevention and suicide intervention.
  • Call 1-866-488-7386.
• Mental Health Colorado
  • Offers a free crisis line.
  • Text MHFA to 741741 to talk to a counselor.

We know these are not all the resources and services out there to help right now, but this will connect you to a lot of great support and resources here in the state of Colorado. If you need help with something specific or know of a valuable resource that we missed, please let us know in the comments.

Hang in there, Colorado. We're going to get through this together.