Housing Assistance for Single Mothers in Colorado

What has changed since August 2026

• Rent help: A state notice confirmed a CERA round September 8–10, 2026. The old July notice saying monthly rounds were closed should not be used as today’s status. Check the official page for the next round; a prior round’s dates cannot be reused.
• Eviction help: On October 13, 2026, Colorado Courts announced new free statewide tenant tools, including a video in English and Spanish.
• Heating help: LEAP opens for the 2026–27 season on November 1, 2026, with applications through April 30, 2027.

Where to start in Colorado

Work on more than one path at the same time. Rent funds can close, shelters can be full, and apartment waitlists may last a long time.

Rent is late

Call 2-1-1 and check CERA. Ask about county rent aid, moving costs, deposits, and help from Community Action agencies. If you have a landlord’s written demand, save every page.

You have court papers

Call CARE and legal aid now. Read your summons: some Colorado eviction cases require you to file an answer or signed agreement by the return date, even if you do not have to appear in person that day. Ask the court clerk or a lawyer what is required for your case.

You need lower rent

Apply to each real open housing authority or affordable-property waitlist that fits your household. Keep confirmation numbers and report address changes.

You may lose housing

Ask 2-1-1 about family shelter, coordinated entry, rapid rehousing, and help for children at school. The ASMOM national housing guide explains the main types of help.

Quick reference

Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA)

CERA may help renters who are behind on rent and at risk of losing their home. It is not a monthly rent benefit. The state uses selection rounds because it cannot fund every request. A pre-application does not promise aid.

Current window: Colorado opened a September 8–10, 2026 round, and local listings showed an October 13–15 round. Both dates have passed. No later open round was verified as of October 26. Check the official CERA page or call the CARE Center at 303-838-1200 before you apply. Never use an old window as an active deadline.

Who may qualify

The program generally asks renters to live in Colorado, be age 18 or older, have household income at or below 60% of area median income (AMI), have a current lease, and show an approved notice or other record of eviction risk. You must meet the full rules, including limits on help received in the last 24 months, prior rent payments, and proof of hardship. Your county and household size affect the income cap. Ask CARE to check your case.

Two ways to seek help

Applying early in a monthly window does not raise your odds. If you are picked, the full application often has a short deadline (past state notices gave seven days). Follow the deadline in your own invitation.

State guidance lists aid of up to the lesser of seven months of rent or $10,000 under usual program caps, with case-by-case review possible. This is a ceiling, not a promised payment. Confirm the current cap with CARE. Keep your lease, rent ledger, full demand or court papers, income proof, landlord contact, and proof of the hardship. Ask about other proof if needed.

Eviction legal help

An eviction is a court case. This is general information, not legal advice. Read the summons and complaint as soon as you get them. Write down the return date, case number, court, rent claimed, and any filing or hearing dates.

Use the Colorado Judicial Branch eviction answer forms, including form JDF 103, and read the current tenant answer guide. In many cases you must file an answer or a signed agreement by the return date. A return date may be a filing deadline rather than an in-person hearing. Check the summons for your court’s instructions.

The courts announced new tenant tools on October 13, 2026, including a video in English and Spanish. Colorado Legal Services helps qualifying tenants; ask about courthouse clinics. Colorado Housing Connects gives housing referrals at 844-926-6632.

Rent help does not end a court case

Do not assume a pending application, part payment, or a landlord’s promise cancels a case. Check your court status and get any agreement in writing. The ASMOM Colorado legal guide gives other places to ask for help. If your landlord locks you out without a court order, contact legal aid or local law enforcement for advice.

Housing vouchers and affordable apartments

Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing

Housing Choice Vouchers, often called Section 8, help eligible households rent from private landlords. Public housing is owned or managed through a public housing agency. Local agencies set waitlist rules and review income, family size, and other eligibility details.

Use the HUD Colorado page or the housing agency finder to locate agencies. Ask which voucher, public housing, project-based voucher, and property waitlists are open. There is no fee to join a real public housing authority waitlist.

Waitlists can close with little notice. Apply to more than one open list, update your address and phone number, and save your confirmation number. The ASMOM Section 8 guide explains what to expect.

Income-restricted apartments

Not every lower-rent apartment requires a voucher. Colorado Housing Search lets you search free by rent, city, bedroom size, accessibility needs, and other details. The CHFA rental page also points to affordable property lists.

Call each property before paying a fee. Ask about vacancies, waitlists, income limits, deposits, screening rules, voucher acceptance, and reasonable accommodations. A listing is not a promise that the unit is open or that your application will be approved.

Local housing help by area

Rent help is not the same in every city. Call 2-1-1 with your ZIP code and ask about open programs, shelter intake, and county funds.

Check your town or county first. Each program can set its own income tests, service area, and open dates.

Help with other bills that protects rent money

Food, cash, child care, and energy aid may leave more of your money for rent. You can apply through Colorado PEAK or ask your county human services office for help.

Colorado Works is the state TANF cash assistance program for some families with children. Check the ASMOM Colorado TANF guide for benefit rules. For food, use the ASMOM Colorado SNAP guide. Ask your county about WIC for pregnant people and young children, and child care aid if you work, look for work, or study.

LEAP heating help: opens November 1, 2026

Colorado’s 2026–27 LEAP program takes applications November 1, 2026–April 30, 2027. It may pay part of winter heating costs if you meet the rules, including an income limit of 60% of the state median income. Heat paid through rent may count. It does not pay every bill or cover portable heaters.

For the 2026–27 season, the official LEAP income table lists a gross monthly limit of $4,936 for two people, $6,097 for three, and $7,258 for four. Other household sizes have different limits. Apply through PEAK when open or call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435). If you face a shutoff before LEAP opens, ask Energy Outreach Colorado or 2-1-1 about other funds, and contact your utility provider about a payment plan.

Housing safety, school help, and fair housing rights

If abuse affects housing

A local domestic violence advocate can discuss confidential shelter, relocation, and housing options. Federal VAWA protections may apply to people applying for or living in certain federally assisted housing programs. The HUD VAWA page explains covered programs and forms. Use the ASMOM Colorado safety guide for more state resources.

If your child has unstable housing

Children may qualify for McKinney-Vento school support when they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime home. This can include staying in a shelter, motel, car, campground, or doubled-up home because housing was lost. Every district has a liaison. Use the Colorado school liaison page to find help with enrollment, school stability, and related needs.

If you face discrimination

The Fair Housing Act protects people during renting, buying, mortgage, and housing-assistance activities. Familial status includes households with children and pregnancy. If you think you were treated differently for a protected reason, use the HUD complaint page or ask legal aid about your options.

Homebuyer and homeowner help

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority homebuyers who use an eligible CHFA first mortgage may also use a grant or second mortgage option for down payment or closing costs. These programs have lender, income, credit, property, and education rules. Start with the official CHFA down payment page, then compare it with the ASMOM Colorado homebuyer guide.

Rural very-low-income homeowners may be able to use the USDA Section 504 repair program. Loans can help repair or modernize a home, while grants are limited to eligible homeowners age 62 or older for health and safety hazards. Check the Colorado repair program before assuming a property or household qualifies.

Documents and information to gather

Call first if you are in danger or have nowhere to sleep. For applications, gather what you have and ask what can be submitted later.