Find alternatives to calling the Denver Police Department.
Typically, people call the police because they are experiencing or perceive an emergency and need immediate assistance. In order to provide the most effective alternatives to calling the police or 911, unless otherwise indicated, the resources included here are limited to those that offer immediate assistance through emergency or crisis services.
These resources may be obligated to call police in the case of an immediate risk of harm to the caller or another, child abuse, or abuse of a vulnerable adult. Where we know or suspect that a resource may work in cooperation with law enforcement or involve them beyond what is required by law, we acknowledge that in the listing.
These resources are not intended to cover all situations, only to provide the services described. If you are in danger of immediate harm and feel safe doing so, call 911.
Housing
- 211 by United Way
- 2-1-1 is a confidential and multilingual service connecting people to vital resources across the state. Includes shelter referral services.
- https://www.211colorado.org/
- Comitis Crisis Center
- Emergency shelter, beds given out on a monthly and nightly basis
- (720) 505-2628 (Nightly lottery, call before noon)
- https://comitiscrisiscenter.org/comitis-crisis-center
- Denver Alliance for Street Health Response
- DASHR is a resource for information, referrals, and access to their Street Response Team that provides survival gear and food to people experiencing homelessness. DASHR is also leading efforts to expand the STAR Program. That program is in its pilot phase, and we will update as it develops.
- (720) 432-4086
- http://dashrco.org/
- The Family Tree – Homelessness Program
- Offers emergency shelter, an information help line, homeless prevention services, case management, education and employment services, and various other supportive services in order to help people achieve economic independence.
- Homelessness Hotline: (303) 467-2604
- https://www.thefamilytree.org/
LGBTQ+
- 4Star Durango
- 4STAR serves the Four Corners region’s Transgender, Gender Expansive, and Intersex population and their families via support, information and networking.
- (970) 247-3229
- https://www.4stardurango.org/
Mental Health
- Buffs4Life
- 24/7 Crisis Hotline for current and former student athletes at the University of Colorado
- 1 (833) 303-BUFFS
- https://buffs4life.org/
- Colorado Crisis Services – 24/7 helpline
- 1 (844) 493-8255
- Text “TALK” to 38255
- https://coloradocrisisservices.org/
- STAR program (Support Team Assisted Response)
- A non-police community response to 911, a crisis and emergency response alternative to police and jails. The STAR program sends one paramedic and one mental health professional to 911-dispatched calls dealing with mental health, addiction, and homelessness. Currently in its pilot phase.
- Presently serves District 6 in Denver, and operates from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Friday.
- Dispatched through 911 or reach them directly at (720) 913-7827.
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
- DOVE (Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment)
- DOVE works with Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing (DDBDDHH) people of all ages and backgrounds who have experienced abuse. Crisis hotline connects to a videophone – if you do not have a videophone, call with be transferred to interpreting service at no cost.
- (303) 831-7874 (24-Hour Crisis Hotline)
- https://deafdove.org/
- Gateway Domestic Violence Services
- Crisis hotline for victims of domestic violence, providing counseling, referrals, and support. Pets accepted upon approval.
- (303) 343-1851
- https://www.gatewayshelter.org/
- Safehouse Denver
- Emergency shelter, residential and non-residential services for victims of domestic violence or their family. Spanish speakers available 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday.
- (303) 318-9989 (24-Hour Crisis Line)
- SPAN (Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence)
- In addition to providing free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the hotline also provides additional information about our Emergency Shelter Program and any other SPAN service.
- (303) 444-2424 (24/7 Crisis Hotline)
- https://www.safehousealliance.org/
- The Blue Bench
- 24-Hour sexual assault hotline
- (303) 322-7273 (English)
- (303) 329-0031 (Espanol)
- https://thebluebench.org/
- Roots of Courage (Formerly Women in Crisis)
- 24-Hour Crisis Hotline.
- (303) 420-6752
- https://www.thefamilytree.org/domestic-violence-emergency-shelter
- The Initiative*
- Providing referrals and safety planning and relocation servicers to victims of abuse.
- (303) 839-5510
- Text: (720) 503-9580
- https://theinitiativecolorado.org/
- *Please note, this resource will call you back within one day, not an emergency hotline
- VISTAS – Servicios de la Razas
- The VISTAS program provides culturally responsive services to English and Spanish-speaking victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and general crime. Provides 24-hour crisis hot line, case management, mental health, legal/victim advocacy, education, referrals and legal representation
- (303) 953-5930
- https://serviciosdelaraza.org/avada_portfolio/vistas/
Youth
Please note, people answering these calls may be mandatory reporters, and required to make a report to CPS or law enforcement in certain situations. Learn about local mandatory reporter laws here.
- CO4Kids
- Colorado’s 24-Hour child abuse hotline
- 1-844-CO-4-KIDS. (1-844-264-5437)
- https://co4kids.org/
- Urban Peak
- Provides a full convergence of services for youth ages 15 through 24 experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
- (303) 974-2900
- https://www.urbanpeak.org/denver/about-us/about-urban-peak/about-urban-peak/
- Voz y Corazon
- Suicide prevention program through MHCD to provide free, community-based, culturally sensitive, mentoring and suicide prevention service to teens and their families. Services in Spanish and English.
- (303) 504-6500
- https://mhcd.org/voz-y-corazon/
Elders
Coming soon.
Crime
- Asian Pacific Development Center
- APDC provides victims assistance and support to those who have witnessed a crime. Our services include assistance in applying for financial services, emergency housing, and victim compensation funds; crisis counseling; case management and social services; and legal and personal advocacy. These services are provided free of charge to victims.
- (720) 394-7909 (Crisis line)
- https://www.apdc.org/victimassistance
- Center for Trauma & Resilience
- 24-Hour crisis hotline for those experiencing crisis related to being a victim of crime
- (303) 894-8000 (English)
- (303) 718-8289 (Espanol)
- Legal Information Network of Colorado
- a collaborative network that provides confidential, no-cost, comprehensive legal information services for crime victims in the Denver metro area.
- (720) 583-2929
- http://www.coloradolinc.org/
Substances
- Colorado Crisis Services – 24/7 helpline
- 1 (844) 493-8255
- Text “TALK” to 38255
- https://coloradocrisisservices.org/
Please consider using these alternatives to calling the Denver Police Department or 911 when faced with a situation that calls for de-escalation and/or intervention.
We have tried to indicate where police or law enforcement may work with the alternative resources listed; please let us know if you have any concerns about these resources.
Reimagine public safety. Don’t call the police.