El Paso County Human Services will continue to provide essential services, even as many in-person services will be modified to comply with orders and recommendations related to COVID-19.
“In many ways, our DHS team is like other first responders such as fire department, law enforcement, and medical professionals – we are on the front lines protecting children, youth, families, and adults and making sure people have needed assistance,” said Julie Krow, executive director of the Department of Human Services. “In fact, our work increases in times of crisis. This is a challenging time for people we serve, but the work of keeping the most vulnerable in the community safe never stops. The public is encouraged to report concerns of abuse and neglect.”
- Child Abuse or Neglect Hotline is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week: 1-844-CO-4-KIDS or 1-844-264‑5437
- Adult Abuse or Neglect Intake Line is monitored between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, closed holidays: (719) 444-5755
If it is an emergency, or an urgent situation, please contact law enforcement at 911.
Online resources are already in place to help residents who may need to apply for and manage assistance programs. Limited in-person services are available at the Citizen Service Center building only to people without internet access or other extreme circumstances. The Child Support Services kiosk in the building is accessible for payments, but all other business will be conducted by phone. The Center on Fathering is shifting to a model focused on phone calls and other tech tools to maintain social distancing protocols.
The Colorado Program Eligibility and Application Kit (PEAK) at colorado.gov/peak has everything needed to:
- Learn about public assistance programs
- Complete an application
- Manage benefits
Anyone can connect to PEAK 24 hours a day, seven days a week via internet access on a smartphone, tablet or computer. PEAK is safe and secure, which means your personal information is protected. You may also Google “Colorado PEAK” to reach the site.
The free MyCoBenefits app is available through the Apple and Android app stores. The app can make it easier to report changes, upload important documents using the mobile device camera, check EBT balances and review transactions and expenses. PEAKHealth is a free app for current Medicaid and CHP+ members who have a Colorado.gov/PEAK account.
Programs include
- Food Assistance (SNAP)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP)
- Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND)
- Colorado Works (CO Works) (state name for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF)
- Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid)
- Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
- and many more
The first time you use PEAK, use a valid email address to create a PEAK account so you can
save your application and finish it later, track your application status and use other online tools.
