Denver Family Shelter 2026–27: How the Salvation Army Connection Center Works
In Denver, families with minor children don't apply to each shelter separately. The city routes family shelter through one phone line: the Salvation Army Connection Center at (303) 295-3366. It screens families for eligibility and manages referrals to family shelters such as the Theodora Family Hotel and the Lambuth Family Center.
This guide explains how to call, what happens next, which family shelters exist, where to go during the day, and help for domestic violence survivors and youth.
Last checked October 2026. Hours and bed availability change. Call before you travel.
Step 1: Call the Connection Center
Salvation Army Connection Center: (303) 295-3366
The City and County of Denver lists the phone intake and eligibility hours as:
Monday through Friday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Weekend hours are short. If you can see a crisis coming, such as an eviction date or a host asking you to leave, call on a weekday.
Be ready to share:
Who is in your household, including children's ages
Where you're staying now and whether it's safe
A phone number where you can be reached
Calling 2-1-1: Denver says anyone who needs shelter between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays can call 2-1-1 to be connected to resources, including transportation for people experiencing homelessness who have disabilities.
Step 2: Referral to a Family Shelter
Volunteers of America Colorado explains that referrals to its family program come through the city's family referral system, the Salvation Army Connection Center. Referrals are first come, first served and depend on bed availability.
You may have to wait. Keep your phone on, answer unknown numbers, and call back if your situation or contact information changes.
Denver's Main Family Shelters
Theodora Family Hotel (Volunteers of America Colorado)
55 rooms for families experiencing homelessness
5 rooms (10 beds) for military veterans and their families through the VA Grant Per Diem program
Staffed 24/7 by guest services specialists and case managers
Services: emergency shelter, meals, hygiene support, transportation help, housing navigation, and case management
Length of stay depends on your engagement in supportive services
Contact: 720-904-9821. Shelter requests still go through the Connection Center.
Lambuth Family Center (Salvation Army)
A 90-day emergency shelter for families with a minor in the household
Private room and three meals a day
Intensive case management from day one, using a housing first model
Size limit: The center says it can't house families larger than six plus an infant
Has a capped waitlist. The Salvation Army lists 855-768-7977 for openings and 720-305-4678 for the center.
Renovation note: A June 2026 news report said the Lambuth Family Center was closing for renovations. City Council approved 20 non-congregate family shelter units at Denver Rescue Mission's The Crossing, 6090 Smith Road, some of them to replace Lambuth rooms during the work. Ask the Connection Center which sites are taking families now.
Other Family Programs
The city's shelter guide also lists Family Promise of Greater Denver. It focuses on stable housing, employment, and savings, with rental assistance, extended case management, and mentors.
During the Day: Where Families Can Go
Lawrence Street Community Center (2222 Lawrence St., (303) 294-0157) offers a safe place during the day for men, women, and families, with meals, water, restrooms, showers, and laundry. Denver lists hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The Gathering Place is a daytime drop-in center for women, transgender people, and their children. It never charges fees.
Domestic Violence
SafeHouse Denver 24-hour crisis hotline: (303) 318-9989
SafeHouse Denver offers trauma-informed services for survivors and their children, including an emergency shelter and an extended stay program. If you're in immediate danger, call 911.
Youth Ages 12 to 24
Urban Peak (The Mothership), 1630 S. Acoma, (303) 974-2900
Walk-up hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends
Daily waitlist: Call (303) 974-2908 starting at 8 a.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. weekends
Pets and Service Animals
Denver says service animals are allowed in its shelters. For pets, Denver Animal Protection's Safe Haven Program gives two to four weeks of shelter for pets of families experiencing homelessness and during severe weather.
What to Bring
Denver doesn't publish a family intake document list, but these are helpful:
ID for adults, plus birth certificates or records for children
Medications and medical equipment
School records and benefits letters
Any eviction papers or notices
Phone, charger, and a few days of clothing per person
Don't delay calling because you're missing documents.
Before You Lose Housing
If you're behind on rent or facing eviction, act before you lose your home. Denver nonprofits and churches may help with rent, and some families may qualify for a short motel stay. See our related Denver guides below.
Questions to Ask Once You're Placed
Who is our case manager, and when do we meet? Both Theodora and Lambuth build case management into their programs.
How long can we stay, and what do we need to do to keep our room?
What are the rules on curfew, visitors, and leaving belongings?
Which meals are provided, and is there food for infants?
How will the kids get to school from here?
What housing programs can you refer us to? Ask about rental assistance and housing navigation.
Tips While You Wait
Call early in the day, especially on weekends when the Connection Center closes at noon.
Keep a log of every call: date, time, who you spoke with, and what they said.
Keep children in school. Ask the school about support for students experiencing homelessness.
Stay reachable. A missed call can mean a missed bed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my family walk into a Denver family shelter?
Denver's walk-up "front door" system is for single adults and youth. Families with minor children get shelter through the Salvation Army Connection Center at (303) 295-3366.
What if the Connection Center is closed?
Denver lists 2-1-1 as a resource from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. In an emergency, call 911. Call the Connection Center again when it opens.
How long can we stay?
It depends on the shelter. Lambuth is a 90-day program. At Theodora, the length of stay depends on your engagement in services.
Are there family shelters for veterans?
Yes. Theodora Family Hotel has 5 rooms for veterans and their families through the VA Grant Per Diem program.
Do we have to pay for family shelter?
The city's scope of work for the new units at The Crossing, as reported in June 2026, includes no requirement that families pay for rooms or sign leases. Ask each shelter about its own rules.
Is Lambuth open?
A June 2026 report said it was closing for renovations, with temporary units at The Crossing. Ask the Connection Center for current placements.
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