Thousands of dollars in Federal Grant Assistance are available to help you recover. Whether it’s emergency rental aid or utility relief, 2026 programs are designed to provide a safety net for your family. See what you qualify for in minutes.
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Securing denver rent assistance is critical for residents facing financial instability or unexpected housing crises. This article connects you with municipal funding, state safety nets, and non-profit resources designed to prevent eviction.
Key Takeaways
- Monthly Cycles: The primary Denver program (TRUA) opens applications strictly on the third Tuesday of each month.
- Court Priority: State-level funding prioritizes tenants who have already received a court summons for eviction.
- Income Limits: Eligibility typically requires a household income below 60% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
- Required Documents: A "10-Day Demand for Rent" is often the mandatory trigger to unlock emergency funds.
- One-Time Use: Most programs enforce a "cooling off" period, meaning households assisted in the previous year are often ineligible for current funding.
The Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) program is the first line of defense for Denver residents. It is designed to stabilize households during specific financial shocks rather than provide long-term subsidies.
Application Windows and Deadlines
Unlike programs that remain open year-round, TRUA operates on a "pulsed" schedule. The application portal opens at 10:00 AM on the third Tuesday of each month. Because funds are limited, the portal often closes within 24 hours or once the application cap is reached.
Upcoming Application Dates:
What TRUA Covers
Households can receive up to six months of rental assistance. This cap applies to a lifetime limit per grant cycle. Funds can cover:
Eligibility and Restrictions
To qualify, your household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. You must also reside specifically within the City and County of Denver. A critical restriction for the current cycle is the 12-month lockout: if you received TRUA funds in the previous calendar year (2025), you are generally ineligible for funds in the current year.
Residents can verify their eligibility details directly through the(https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Housing-Stability/Resident-Resources/Rent-and-Utility-Help), which manages the program guidelines.
The Colorado Division of Housing (DOH) administers the Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program. This system serves as a safety net for those who may not qualify for TRUA or who live in the metro area but outside Denver city limits.
The Lottery System
Due to high demand, the state uses a random selection process.
Priority for Court Cases
The state system prioritizes "high acuity" cases. If you have received a Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) summons—meaning your landlord has already filed for eviction in court—you are often bypassed through the general lottery.
Tenants with court papers should call 1-303-838-1200 immediately to access this expedited track. This ensures that limited funds are targeted toward stopping active lockouts.
Almost all aid is "means-tested" against the Area Median Income. Programs like TRUA generally cap eligibility at 80% AMI, while state programs often require households to be at or below 60% AMI.
2025-2026 Denver Income Limits (Estimates)
| Household Size | 60% AMI (State Limit) | 80% AMI (TRUA Limit) |
| 1 Person | ~$58,860 | ~$78,480 |
| 2 Persons | ~$67,260 | ~$89,680 |
| 3 Persons | ~$75,660 | ~$100,880 |
| 4 Persons | ~$84,060 | ~$112,080 |
When government funds are exhausted or timelines are too slow, non-profit organizations provide essential gap funding. These agencies often have unique criteria tailored to specific populations.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army operates the Housing Now program, which is distinct from general aid. It focuses on families experiencing literal homelessness or imminent displacement.
Jewish Family Service (JFS)
JFS operates the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP). Like the state, they utilize a monthly lottery system to manage volume.
Catholic Charities
This organization focuses on "event-based" crises. To qualify, applicants often need to demonstrate a specific emergency that caused the inability to pay, such as:
Receiving a notice from your landlord is the first step in the legal timeline, but it is also the document required to apply for most aid.
The 10-Day Demand
The most common notice is the Demand for Compliance or Possession. It gives you 10 calendar days to pay the owed rent or move out. You must upload this document to your TRUA or CERA application to prove your housing is at risk.
The Court Process
If you do not pay within the notice period, the landlord will file an eviction case (FED).
For detailed forms and legal guides, tenants can consult the(https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/self-help/residential-evictions) self-help center.
To maximize your chances of securing aid, follow this protocol:
For navigation help, residents can contact Colorado Housing Connects at 1-844-926-6632, a dedicated helpline for housing questions.
The Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) application portal is scheduled to open on specific Tuesdays, including January 20, February 17, March 17, and April 21, 2026. You must submit your application via the official Submittable portal on these specific dates, as the window typically closes once monthly funding capacity is reached.
No, under the current program guidelines, households that received any TRUA funding during the 2025 calendar year are strictly ineligible to re-apply for TRUA funds in 2026. However, you may still qualify for the state-run Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program if you have not received state-administered aid (like ERAP or TRAG) in the last 24 months.
For the 2026 cycle, the CERA program has tightened its eligibility requirements, now limiting approval to households with an income at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), a decrease from the previous 80% threshold. Applicants are selected through a random monthly pre-application process rather than a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes, families with at least one child under the age of 18 can apply for rental assistance specifically on the 15th of every month between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM. Additionally, a separate application window for security deposit and move-in costs opens on the 1st of each month at 9:30 AM, though funding is limited to a few families per cycle.
If you have an active court summons or a Demand for Rent notice, you should immediately contact the CARE Center at 303-838-1200 to see if you qualify for "Eviction Stage" prioritization. You can also access free legal defense and mediation through Denver’s Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Services (EPRAS) if you live within city limits.
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