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Community Resources
As we all work together to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in Montrose, the following is a selection of resources available to assist, should you or your family be impacted by the effects of COVID-19. From information about how to access extra food supplies to tips for talking to kids about stress, we hope to help you find the services you need in our community and beyond.
- Child Care Services
- Financial & Unemployment Assistance
- Food Access Resources
- Medical and Safety
- Mental Health
- Recursos en español
- Seniors
- Utilities Assistance
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment handles unemployment matters in the State of Colorado. Visit website
They have created a variety of resources for workers and employers affected by COVID-19. For common unemployment questions, changes made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other information for workers and employers, visit their website.
If you are not working or are working fewer hours as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may file an unemployment claim. To file a claim, go to www.coloradoui.gov.
Helpful facts about unemployment benefits.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) and Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The United States Federal Government has signed the CARES Act into law, and benefits will be available soon when the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment receives official guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor.
This Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act created historic increases to unemployment benefits, increased the amount claimants receive and makes those formerly ineligible for unemployment benefits eligible. This includes the self-employed, contract workers and those who haven’t accrued qualifying wages.
Please continue to check the www.coloradoui.gov webpage for the latest information about unemployment benefits available through these programs. They will update that site and notify news outlets when they are ready to accept claims. For Frequently Asked Questions and to learn about the variety of assistance that the Acts provide, please click here.
Montrose Workforce Center
The Montrose Workforce Center provides services to both job-seekers and employers. Their office is taking calls and emails from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and can be reached at 970-249-7783 or by email at montrose@state.co.us.
Current job openings can be found at www.connectingcolorado.com as well as online resources to help with an individual with their job search. Job-seeker services include career guidance and training, retraining assistance to help workers who have been laid off for no fault of their own and more.
For assistance and information on unemployment insurance benefits, please go to www.coloradoui.gov or call the Montrose Workforce Center for general information and assistance in filing a claim.
Business services include assistance in recruiting, screening and retaining workers, and information on tax credits, the local labor market, hiring trends, demand occupations, and average wages.
Region 10
Region 10 is a local nonprofit organization that offers programs and services to address regional community, business and senior needs.
Some of the resources offered for businesses are: SBDC COVID-19 Small Business Response Resources, SBA Small Business Guidance, OEDIT Business Resources, Region 10 Business Loan Fund and the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). They are also a resource for COVID-19 related services to include: Small Business guide to the CARES act, SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), CDL Resources for Workers + Employees, CDC Guidance for Businesses + Employers.
Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation
A nationwide community dedicated to making the restaurant industry more hospitable to everyone, and offering direct financial assistance to individual restaurant workers and 0% interest loans to help restaurants get running again. This assistance is available to workers in restaurants in all states.
USBG National Charity Foundation
A National Charity dedicated to being a resource for hospitality industry employees. While offering several philanthropic services, the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program is for bartenders and servers who serve alcoholic beverages who need immediate assistance with food, shelter and medical bills. This assistance must be applied for online.
All Points Transit
All Points Transit is providing essential rides for pre-scheduled medical, grocery, pharmacy and essential work. Grocery, meal or commodity delivery for seniors and others in need is being offered as well.
Call 970- 249-0128 to sign up for grocery or meal delivery, rides or additional information.
Shepherd’s Hand Food Bank
Ready to eat meals for low income families and those experiencing homelessness. Boxes include fresh vegetables, milk, meat and dairy products. Amenities bags for those experiencing homelessness are available.
Cedar Creek Church
222 S Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO 81401
Monday and Thursday 9:30 am -12:30 pm
Saturday Box pick up: 9:30 am -12:30 am (extended Saturday hours due to COVID-19)
Hunger Free Colorado
A free “one-stop” resource for information, this bilingual, toll-free hotline connects individuals to both public and private food assistance programs.
855-855-4626
www.hungerfreecolorado.org
Just Like New Consignment - Community Pantry
Offering a free Community Pantry for anyone in need, with a variety of canned goods, diapers,formula as well as other infant and baby food. Donations are welcome.
206 E Main St.
Montrose, CO, 81401
www.facebook.com/montrosejustlikenew
970-787-2323
Monday - Friday: 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Montrose County Health and Human Services
Helping with food assistance eligibility and enrollment.
Contact 970-252-5000
Or visit www.montrosecounty.net/833/Food-Assistance
Montrose County School District
Meals are available for all school-aged students. Each day’s bag includes 1 lunch & 1 breakfast.
Monday - Friday, 11 am - 1 pm
See information on this page for pick up locations and/or to sign up for delivery.
Sharing Ministries
Sharing Ministries has three programs available: 1) Sharing Ministries, 2) USDA -The Emergency Food Assistance Program, and 3) USDA Sr. Commodities.
Emergency food assistance is for anyone in need. Offering three meals a day for three days, once monthly. Meals include canned goods, pasta, fresh produce, meat, dairy, and baked goods. Goods vary depending on availability.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program is open every Thursday from 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program - (Seniors 60+ Only)
First three Thursdays of each month - Noon to 2:00 pm
49 N 1st St, Montrose, CO 81401
www.sharingministries.com
970-240-8395
Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, Friday 9 am - 11 am
Colorado PEAK
PEAK is an online resource guide for residents to apply for food, cash and medical benefits online.
For additional information, visit www.co.gov/peak
You may also apply for food and cash on the mobile app MyCOBenefits.
COVID-19 Information and Assistance
For information on COVID-19 from Montrose County Pubic Health, please visit www.montrosecounty.net/covid19 or contact the Public Information line at 970-252-4545
Colorado Mask Project
Scientists, public health experts and governmental officials agree that DIY masks can help slow the spread of COVID-19. The State of Colorado government is recommending that everyone wear masks when out in public. The Colorado Mask project is a resource for making and distributing DIY masks, raising awareness about their importance, and listing of resources and partners.
CO4KIDS
Available 24 hours a day, every day to protect children. If you see something that concerns you, call the number above. One anonymous call can protect a child and help a family get the support it needs. Anyone witnessing a child in a life-threatening situation should call 911 immediately.
Dial 844-CO-4-KIDS
PIC Place
A nonprofit organization committed to improved access to personal healthcare by offering integrated health services. Services include medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health education.
87 Merchant Dr.
Montrose, CO, 81401
970-252-8896
Visit website
River Valley Health
Providing access to patient-centered, quality medical care for individuals and families by connecting them with health, behavior and emotional support as well as food access.
1010 S. Rio Grande
Montrose, CO, 81401
970-497-3333
Visit website
UC Health Virtual Urgent Care
Visit with an expert local provider on your computer, tablet or smartphone. UC Health will bill your insurance or you can elect a flat fee of $49. Patients may be any age; however, if under 18, a legal guardian must be present at the time of the Virtual Urgent Care visit. Patients who are in Colorado can see a provider through the Virtual Urgent Care related to coronavirus symptoms or other medical concerns including, the flu, colds, seasonal allergies, coughs, pink eye, sinus infections, sore throats, urinary tract infections and vomiting or diarrhea.
Calm.com
Calm, the popular app, is sharing FREE tools to take care of our minds and stay grounded, including soothing meditations, sleep stories, mindfulness resources, and meditations for children.
Headspace.com
Headspace, the popular app, is sharing FREE meditations to help support people through these uneasy times, including meditations for healthcare professionals, work teams, and educators.
Center for Mental Health
Offering walk in services from 8 am - 1 pm as well as remote 1 on 1 therapy sessions. The Center for Mental Health in Montrose is open and is offering telephone and video conference appointments.
The Center for Mental Health also has a 24-hour talk line open for those who are feeling stressed, anxious, or need someone to talk to during this difficult and uncertain time. The Center Support Line: 970-252-6220
300 N Cascade Ave
Montrose, CO 81401
970-252-3200
Visit website
Center for Mental Health Crisis Center
The Crisis Walk-In Center provides immediate access to mental health care and substance use emergency services, such as withdrawal management, close to home in Montrose, Colorado. The Crisis Center is following necessary screening, cleaning, and social distancing guidelines to protect the health and safety of clients, staff, and community.
300 N. Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401
970.252.6220 (available 24 hours a day)
24 hours a day / 7 days a week / 365 days a year
Centers for Disease Control
The Centers for Disease Control offers information about managing stress and anxiety that may arise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including information for parents and people released from quarantine.
Colorado Crisis Services
FREE, confidential, professional, 24/7 support
1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255
Visit website
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website also provides information about emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak and resources to support mental health and coping with COVID-19.
1-800-273-8255
Public Broadcasting Service
PBS offers helpful information about how to talk to your kids about COVID-19, and how to destress with your kids during this time.
Talking to Your Kids About Coronavirus
Spark the Change
The Kind Connection Program through Spark the Change is a phone support system to help bring individuals together. It is designed to help combat the struggles individuals are facing related to COVID-19 and help create connections during this time.
Visit SparkTheChangeColorado.org/kindconnection to request a call.
World Health Organization
These mental health considerations were developed by the WHO Mental Health Department as support for mental and psychological well-being during COVID-19 outbreak, and include strategies for the general population, healthcare professionals, caretakers, and people in isolation.
COVID-19 Actualizaciónes
AARP
Centro para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades
Proyecto de Asuntos Hispanos
Asociación Nacional de Psicólogos Escolares
Servicio de radiodifusión pública
Línea de vida nacional para la prevención del suicidio
1-800-273-8255
Food Access - Volunteers of America Meals on Wheels
Volunteers of America delivers six nutritionally balanced frozen meals every other Tuesday to senior citizens in need.For more information, call (970) 964-3419.
Region 10 Area Agency on Aging
Region 10 Area Agency on Aging provides seniors with a range of services to include, but not limited to: transportation to and from area stores, meal delivery, non-perishable food and paper product donations and delivery of food bank boxes. All services are provided to seniors on a donation basis.
For additional information, contact Eva Veitch at 970-765-3127 or email eveitch@region10.net
Centers for Disease Control
The Centers for Disease Control offers guidance and resources for older adults at higher risk of COVID-19.
American Association for Retired Persons
AARP provides information for preparing your home, accessing pharmacy deliveries, shopping, and other impacts of COVID-19.
Local ‘Senior Hours’ for Shoppers
Many retailers are offering special hours for seniors to shop for groceries and essential goods, in advance of other shoppers entering the store. This offers seniors a wider selection of goods as well as an environment with a decreased number of shoppers.
- City Market - Reserving 7 am - 8 am Monday, Wednesday and Friday for senior shoppers
- Safeway - Reserving 7 am - 9 am every Tuesday and Thursday for vulnerable shoppers
- Target - Reserving 8 am - 9am every Wednesday for senior shoppers
- Walgreens - Reserving 8 am - 9 am on Tuesdays for senior shoppers, and is open to caregivers and immediate families, as well.
- Walmart - Reserving 6 am - 7am every Tuesday for customers 60-years old and older. The Pharmacy and Vision Center will also be open during this time.
- Natural Grocers - 9 am - 10 am every Sunday for senior shoppers and customers with underlying health issues.
City of Montrose Water, Sewer, Trash and Recycling
To avoid the interruption of best hygiene practices like hand washing, the city is suspending water utility shutoffs for delinquent customers while working with them to make future payment arrangements. Please contact us to discuss payment plan options.
970.240.1400
utility_billing@cityofmontrose.org
DMEA
DMEA recognizes that the local economy is already being impacted by threat of COVID-19: businesses are experiencing reduced sales with some at the risk of closure, and many individuals are coping with reduced hours at work or restricted pay.
With these financial insecurities looming large, DMEA will not disconnect residential, small commercial, or agriculture members who are unable to pay their electric bill. This will remain in effect until further notice or until the State of Emergency has passed. Members who are experiencing financial hardship, are encouraged to contact DMEA immediately.
Access your account 24/7/365 online. Visit website
Call DMEA offices and use a secure phone payment system: 877-687-3632
DMEA Operation Round Up
DMEA Operation Round Up Charitable Trust distributes donations from participating members to a fund. The member-volunteer board distributes the funds monthly based on need and community impact.
Visit website to apply.
1-877-687-3632
Black Hills Energy
To support customers who may be impacted by the nation’s response to COVID-19, Black Hills Energy is temporarily suspending nonpayment disconnections for customers. Black Hills Energy offers various assistance options to customers such as payment arrangements, budget billing and medical extensions. Additionally, 211 is a service that connects millions of people to help with essential needs.
Visit website
1-888-890-5554
Energy Outreach Colorado
Provides bill payment assistance to households across Colorado to help those who can’t afford their home energy costs. Payment assistance is provided through a network of assistance agencies. Assistance can be used once per year.
1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435)
Visit website