Top 15 Nonprofits in Denver Helping with Rent, Food, and Bills in 2027
Denver-area rents have climbed fast, and a cold Front Range winter can send heating bills higher than many budgets can handle. If you're behind on rent, holding an eviction summons, or stretching groceries thin, you're not alone, and there's real help across the metro.
This guide covers the whole metro: Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Douglas, Broomfield, and Elbert counties, from Lakewood and Westminster to Englewood and Castle Rock. We focused on nonprofits with structured help for rent, energy bills, food, and free eviction legal aid.
Many programs serve specific counties, and rent and energy funds open and close as money allows. Call early, ask what's open right now, and keep your ID, lease, and bills ready. Details reflect what each organization publishes as of October 2026.
How We Chose These Nonprofits in Denver
We included 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including faith-based groups like Catholic Charities and Jewish Family Service. Each one serves the metro, runs a structured aid program, and publishes clear contact info. We ranked them on Impact, Accessibility, Reputation, Transparency, and Equity (serving people regardless of faith, status, or background).
We gave extra weight to rent and energy help, not just food, and spread picks across the metro's counties. We did not use Google ratings; trust signals come from each organization's own published information as of October 2026.
1. Brothers Redevelopment
Rental help for Denver renters, plus a statewide housing helpline.
Primary assistance: Rental assistance, utility help alongside rent, relocation help, housing counseling
Best for: City and County of Denver renters who are behind or facing eviction
How to get help: Colorado Housing Connects 1-844-926-6632; main line 303-202-6340; rent and mortgage assistance
Brothers runs Denver's TRUA program, which can cover up to 6 months of rent one time within a 24-month period. That can include back rent, the current month, and one future month. Denver Water and Xcel help is available only alongside rental help, and relocation help is offered when an eviction can't be prevented.
Trust signals: Providing housing services in Colorado since 1971.
2. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Denver
One-time emergency help and energy bill support for the core metro.
Primary assistance: One-time emergency assistance, energy bill help, food
Best for: Residents of Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, and Jefferson counties facing a documented emergency
How to get help: Emergency Assistance 303-742-0828; energy bill line 1-855-777-5280; emergency services
Emergency Assistance gives one-time help to people who can show they're in an emergency. The agency also runs the Little Flower Assistance Center, which offers food and other basics.
Trust signals: Serving since February 1, 1927; posts financial information on its website.
3. Energy Outreach Colorado
Help with past-due heating and electric bills across the state.
Primary assistance: Energy bill payment help, heating emergencies, furnace repair
Best for: Income-qualified households behind on gas or electric bills
How to get help: Heating emergencies 1-866-432-8435; bill payment assistance
You apply through a local partner agency with a photo ID and your bill. Each bill can get one payment per program year, which runs October 1 to September 30. EOC also encourages households to apply for the state LEAP heating program.
Trust signals: Serving Colorado since 1989; reports more than 120,000 people and 40,000 households helped in 2025; publishes annual reports.
4. Colorado Legal Services
Free civil legal help, including eviction defense, for low-income residents.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense, tenant rights, public benefits, consumer law
Best for: Low-income tenants facing eviction anywhere in the metro
How to get help: Denver office 303-837-1313; get help
The Denver office serves Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, and Jefferson counties. It runs eviction clinics at courthouses on summons day and takes new applicants Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also start with an online pre-application.
Trust signals: Publishes an annual report and a "100 Years of Justice" history page.
5. Colorado Poverty Law Project
Free eviction legal help with staff and volunteer attorneys.
Primary assistance: Eviction defense, tenant legal advice
Best for: Renters who've received an eviction notice or court summons
How to get help: (303) 532-2641; eviction and housing help
Intake is remote through an online form, and the group also holds an in-person clinic. It doesn't list a walk-in office, so start online or by phone.
Trust signals: Free services delivered by staff and volunteer attorneys.
6. Jewish Family Service of Colorado
Emergency rent help and a choice food pantry for the core metro.
Primary assistance: Rent assistance, case management, food pantry
Best for: Very low-income Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, and Jefferson county residents at risk of homelessness
How to get help: 303.597.5000; Emergency Housing Assistance Program
The rental application opens October 12, 2026 at 9 a.m. and closes October 14 at 5 p.m., and funding is very limited. Everyone who gets aid meets with a case manager. The Weinberg Food Pantry is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with registration, ID, and proof of address required.
Trust signals: Serving Colorado for 154 years; posts clear eligibility rules for its pantry.
7. The Action Center
Free groceries, clothing, and Xcel bill help in Jefferson County.
Primary assistance: Self-select groceries, clothing, Xcel energy assistance, housing support
Best for: Jefferson County residents, including Lakewood, Arvada, and Golden
How to get help: (303) 237-7704; 8755 W 14th Ave, Lakewood; find assistance
Grocery, clothing, and programs run Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Xcel help uses Energy Outreach Colorado's fund for past-due accounts in Jefferson County or Denver. The request form opens each Wednesday.
Trust signals: Publishes its EIN and posts eligibility rules openly.
8. Help & Hope Center
Food, clothing, and emergency rent and utility help in Douglas and Elbert counties.
Primary assistance: Food pantry, clothing vouchers, emergency rent and utility help, emergency lodging
Best for: Douglas and Elbert county residents, including Castle Rock, Parker, and Elizabeth
How to get help: (303) 688-1114; get help
First-time clients register online, then book an appointment. The food pantry provides a week's worth of groceries and household items, plus weekend meals for kids.
Trust signals: Publishes an annual impact report; based in Castle Rock.
9. IFCS (Integrated Family Community Services)
Food, utility help, and rent support for the south metro.
Primary assistance: Food bank, utility bill help, rental assistance when funded
Best for: South metro Denver households in the Arapahoe County area
How to get help: (303) 789-0501; 3370 South Irving Street, Englewood; need help
IFCS offers limited Xcel bill help, through Energy Outreach Colorado, to eligible households behind on electric or gas bills. When funding is available, it also works with local governments on rental assistance.
Trust signals: Founded in 1964 and designated an official poverty agency in 1968; posts financial information.
10. Broomfield FISH
Eviction prevention and food for Broomfield residents.
Primary assistance: Rental assistance, eviction prevention, food pantry
Best for: City and County of Broomfield residents, including seniors 65 and older
How to get help: 303-465-1600; help@broomfieldfish.org; apply for rental assistance
Keeping Families Housed and Keeping Seniors Housed are its eviction prevention programs. The seniors program can cover up to 6 months of rent for residents 65 and older.
Trust signals: Founded in 1963 by women from six local churches; 501(c)(3) since 2002; Broomfield's only Family Resource Center.
11. Growing Home
A no-appointment food pantry and family support in Adams County.
Primary assistance: Food pantry, family stability support, parenting programs
Best for: Families in Westminster and the surrounding Adams County area
How to get help: 303.426.0430; 3489 West 72nd Avenue, Westminster; food pantry
The pantry runs Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, with no appointment needed. Staff hand out buzzers starting at 9 a.m. and ask for ID, and each shift is capped at 45 people.
Trust signals: Founded in 1998; publishes financials and annual impact reports.
12. Metro Caring
A free grocery market in central Denver.
Primary assistance: Free groceries, ready-to-eat food, nutrition programs
Best for: Denver households who want to shop for fresh food by appointment
How to get help: Call center 303-860-7200; 1100 E. 18th Ave., Denver; Fresh Foods Market
Fill out the intake form first, then book a market visit online or by phone. Inventory changes daily, and a Grab & Go section offers ready-to-eat food if you need something right away.
Trust signals: Publishes an annual report; reports 31,857 annual visits to the Fresh Foods Market.
13. Volunteers of America Colorado
Housing help and emergency funds for veterans and their families.
Primary assistance: Homelessness prevention for veterans, case management, emergency financial help
Best for: Veterans in Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties
How to get help: (720) 501-3367; ssvfintake@voacolorado.org; SSVF Denver Metro
The SSVF program offers outreach, case management, help getting benefits, and emergency financial resources. It works to keep veterans housed or to rehouse them quickly. You'll need proof of veteran status and income, or you can self-certify as homeless.
Trust signals: Main office at 2660 Larimer Street, Denver; reports more than 2.1 million hot meals served.
14. Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Housing navigation and case management for people without stable housing.
Primary assistance: Housing navigation, case management, health care, renter resources
Best for: Single adults, couples, and families who are homeless or about to lose housing
How to get help: Housing and resource navigation
Case management appointments are booked online through a weekly random drawing: 20 single adults and 4 families each week. The Coalition doesn't offer rental assistance to the general public, but it points renters to eviction and rent resources.
Trust signals: Publishes media and reports; lists its programs and properties openly.
15. Food Bank of the Rockies
The region's major food bank, with pantry finder and SNAP application help.
Primary assistance: Pantry and mobile pantry locator, SNAP application help, kids' food programs
Best for: Anyone in the metro looking for a pantry or mobile pantry near them
How to get help: SNAP Outreach 303-375-5851; find food
The food bank works with hundreds of Hunger Relief Partners across Colorado and Wyoming. Its SNAP team can help you check eligibility and apply.
Trust signals: Serves the largest food bank coverage area in the contiguous United States; publishes an annual report.
Other Important Helplines and Resources in Denver
211: Call 211 or (866) 760-6489, or text your ZIP code to 898-211, for rent, utility, and shelter help across Colorado.
SNAP: Apply for food and cash help at Colorado PEAK.
Hunger Free Colorado: Call the food resource hotline at 855.855.4626 to find food near you.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Money stress is heavy. Call or text 988 any time, or visit 988lifeline.org.
Related Guides
Looking for more options in and around Denver? These guides cover churches and nonprofits helping with rent, food, and utility bills:
Closing Thoughts
Falling behind in the Denver area doesn't mean you messed up. Rent, utilities, and groceries are stacking up for a lot of families. Pick two or three groups from this list that serve your county, call early, and keep copies of your ID, lease, and bills ready.
If you've been served eviction papers, call legal aid the same day. You deserve help, and asking for it is a power move.
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