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Assistance Programs in Mesa County and Grand Junction, Colorado.
Mesa County residents facing financial hardship can draw on a network of nonprofits, county agencies, and faith-based programs. The organizations, as listed below, cover emergency food, rent and utility assistance, homeless shelter, free legal aid, domestic violence services, and senior support. Most of these resources are concentrated in Grand Junction, which serves the broader Grand Valley.
The county's two anchor nonprofits — Grand Valley Catholic Outreach and HomewardBound of the Grand Valley — handle the widest range of day-to-day crisis needs. Hilltop Community Resources serves families, seniors, and people facing housing instability across multiple program areas. Mesa County Department of Human Services administers the major state and federal benefit programs. The Community Food Bank of Grand Junction has served local hunger needs for more than 47 years. Call before you go. Program hours, eligibility, and available funding change regularly at most agencies listed here. A quick call first can save a wasted trip.
Start Here — Find Help Fast
- Emergency food, clothing & day services: Grand Valley Catholic Outreach — (970) 241-3658
- Food pantry (47+ years): Community Food Bank of Grand Junction — (970) 640-0336
- Emergency shelter (single adults & families): HomewardBound of the Grand Valley — (970) 256-9424
- Housing, DV services & family programs: Hilltop Community Resources — (970) 242-4400
- SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, LEAP energy: Mesa County Dept. of Human Services — (970) 241-8480
- Emergency financial help & utilities: Salvation Army Grand Junction — (970) 242-7513
- Free civil legal help: Colorado Legal Services — (970) 243-7940
- Pro bono legal & protection orders: Pro Bono Project of Mesa County — (970) 424-5748
- Don't know where to start? When in doubt about where to start, dial 2-1-1 or call (970) 244-8400. Western Colorado 2-1-1 operates Monday through Friday and can connect you to the right local program for your situation.
Emergency Assistance & Broad Crisis Services
These organizations handle the widest range of needs and are the best starting point for households in financial trouble.
Grand Valley Catholic Outreach - Founded 1970s
Grand Valley Catholic Outreach is a compassionate, multi-service center in downtown Grand Junction that has served the community since the 1970s. It is supported by more than 500 volunteers and 50 local churches. People of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome. Programs include below. Call (970) 241-3658 | 245 S. 1st Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501. Generally open weekdays. Call ahead to confirm current hours for each program. https://www.catholicoutreach.org/.
- Food Pantry: Open on weekdays during morning hours. Provides food to low-income families, seniors, disabled veterans, the working poor, and anyone in need. No income verification is required to receive emergency food.
- Soup Kitchen: Free hot meals served on weekdays and Saturdays around midday. This is one of the few meal programs in the area open six days a week.
- Clothing Bank: Free clothing, shoes, bedding, and household items, available on weekdays during morning hours. Accepts and distributes donated goods.
- Day Center: A drop-in space for people experiencing homelessness. Guests can shower, do laundry, check mail, store belongings, use the phone, and receive basic health care from medical personnel who visit weekly. A free shuttle operates on Monday mornings through a partner church.
- Emergency rent assistance: One-time financial help for rent when an eviction notice has been issued. Applicants must provide a copy of the lease, proof of income for all adults, and a monthly household budget. Call to schedule an appointment during morning hours, weekdays.
- Energy assistance: Utility bill help through the Energy Outreach Colorado Foundation. Between November and April, applicants must first apply for LEAP through Discover Goodwill before Outreach can assist with additional utility costs.
- Book-in-Hand: Distributes new hardcover books to children ages one to six. Operates during weekday morning hours.
- ID and document assistance: Help obtaining out-of-state birth certificates in emergency situations. For Colorado IDs and birth certificates, staff refer clients to Grand Valley Peace & Justice.
- La Mariposa: A support group for women struggling with addiction who are or have been homeless.
The Salvation Army — Grand Junction Est. 1865
The Salvation Army has been serving Mesa County for decades through its Grand Junction corps. Emergency food is distributed on selected weekdays — food boxes include fresh produce and canned goods. Food assistance is generally available on a monthly basis per household.
As funding allows, the Salvation Army may offer limited emergency financial help with rent, utilities, and transportation. A case manager can discuss what is currently available. Other services include clothing vouchers, a thrift store, seasonal school supply programs, holiday assistance including Christmas Angels, and substance abuse support referrals.
Applicants should bring a photo ID and proof of Mesa County residency — such as a rent receipt or utility bill — when seeking assistance. Call (970) 242-7513 | 1235 N. 4th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501. Website: https://grandjunction.salvationarmy.org/.
County & State Government Programs
Mesa County Department of Human Services (DHS)
Mesa County DHS administers the major federal and state benefit programs available to Mesa County residents. It is the primary access point for ongoing assistance with food, healthcare, and cash aid. Programs include:
- SNAP (Food Assistance): Monthly food benefits for income-qualifying individuals and families. Apply in person or through Colorado PEAK online.
- Colorado Works (TANF): Temporary cash assistance for families with dependent children. Paired with employment services and a self-sufficiency plan. Applying for Colorado Works also triggers a review for SNAP and Medicaid eligibility.
- Medicaid / Health First Colorado: Free or low-cost health coverage for qualifying low-income residents.
- LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program): Federal energy assistance for winter heating bills. Applications are accepted from November 1 through April 30 each year. Funds are limited — apply early. Outside of the LEAP season, call 1-866-432-8435 (1-866-HEAT-HELP) to ask about emergency energy assistance options.
- Crisis Intervention Program (CIP): An emergency component of LEAP that provides grants to repair or replace broken furnaces and heating systems that pose a health hazard. Also covers broken windows in certain situations.
- Child care assistance: Subsidized child care for working families who meet income guidelines.
- Adult Protective Services: To report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult in Mesa County, call (970) 248-2888, or 911 in an emergency.
- The Region 11 Area Agency on Aging (AAA) coordinates programs for older adults, their families, and caregivers across northwest Colorado — including Mesa County. Programs connect seniors with home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels), transportation, legal assistance, caregiver support, and health insurance counseling.
Office hours are generally Monday through Thursday with an early Friday close. Appointments are recommended. Applications for many programs can also be submitted through Colorado PEAK at https://co.colorado.gov/colorado-peak. Call (970) 241-8480 | 510 29˝ Road, Grand Junction, CO 81504. https://www.mesacounty.us/departments-and-services/human-services/.
Mesa County Workforce Center
The Workforce Center is a division of Mesa County DHS and serves as a one-stop employment and assistance hub. It administers Colorado Works (TANF) and connects job seekers with training, job placement, and career resources. Staff can also assist with SNAP and Medicaid applications and link residents to community programs through the county's resource network. Call (970) 248-0871 | 512 29˝ Road, Grand Junction, CO 81504. https://www.mesacounty.us/departments-and-services/wfc/.
Mesa County Public Health — WIC, Senior Programs & Grand Valley Connects
Mesa County Public Health operates several programs serving families and seniors. Call (970) 248-6900 | https://www.mesacounty.us/departments-and-services/public-health/
- WIC: Nutrition support, food benefits, and health care referrals for pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five who meet income guidelines.
- Grand Valley Connects: A free service that links Mesa County residents to food, housing, healthcare, and employment resources. Staff can help navigate what programs someone may qualify for.
- Family Planning and Nurse-Family Partnership: Health services for first-time parents and families.
Housing, Shelter & Homelessness Services
HomewardBound of the Grand Valley Est. 1998
HomewardBound of the Grand Valley is the only year-round, open-access homeless shelter system within roughly 200 miles. Founded in 1998 through a coalition including St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, the Grand Junction Housing Authority, the Salvation Army, and Catholic Outreach, it now operates independently. HomewardBound operates two shelter locations: Call (970) 256-9424 | North Ave Shelter: 2853 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501. https://homewardboundgv.org/
- North Avenue Emergency Shelter: 2853 North Ave — for single adults experiencing homelessness, including veterans and individuals with pets. Low-barrier entry; no payment required. New intake begins in the early evening, seven days a week.
- Family Shelter: 562 29 Road — overnight shelter for families and guests in the RecoveryBound or Purposeful Work programs.
Beyond emergency shelter and daily meals, HomewardBound provides:
- Pathways Health Center: on-site nurse-led clinic with students from Colorado Mesa University providing care to low-income and unhoused individuals.
- RecoveryBound: a comprehensive, non-clinical program for guests seeking treatment for substance misuse, including classes, study sessions, and vocational activities.
- Purposeful Work: vocational and societal reintegration activities.
- Phoenix Project: transitional housing program for homeless veterans in partnership with Housing Resources of Western Colorado.
- Family Transitional Program: up to 12 families per year receive individualized case management, housing search support, and employment assistance over a 12-month program. Families must be homeless (or pregnant in the third trimester), willing to engage in weekly case management, and motivated to exit homelessness permanently.
- Case management and navigation services that connect shelter guests with community resources.
Hilltop Community Resources
Hilltop is one of the most comprehensive nonprofit service providers in western Colorado, with programs spanning housing, domestic violence services, senior living, mental health, early childhood, and family navigation across Mesa, Delta, and Montrose Counties. Programs relevant to Mesa County residents seeking financial or housing assistance include:
- Housing Navigation: Staff help individuals and families facing housing insecurity apply for housing vouchers and affordable units, access rent and deposit assistance (when funding is available), and connect with transitional or supportive housing that includes case management.
- Latimer House (domestic violence): Emergency safe housing, counseling, advocacy, and a 24-hour crisis line for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across Mesa, Montrose, Delta, and Ouray Counties. The 24/7 crisis hotline is (877) 543-9520. The Latimer House program line is (970) 241-0324.
- Emergency Shelter (Hermosa Ave location): Safe shelter, food, clothing, and case management for adult victims of domestic violence and their children. A one-year transitional housing program for families with children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness is also available.
- Health Access: Free, unbiased help navigating health insurance options — Medicaid, CHP+, and ACA marketplace plans. No charge. In-person and virtual appointments available. Call (970) 244-0850.
- Family Navigation programs: Case management and advocacy for families with children ages 0–19 who may not meet criteria for other programs. Call (970) 244-0621 or (970) 244-0613.
- Senior living and aging services: Independent living, assisted living, memory care, and in-home support for older adults.
Call the main number at (970) 242-4400 | 359 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501. DV Hotline (24/7): (877) 543-9520. https://www.htop.org/.
Grand Junction Housing Authority
The Grand Junction Housing Authority administers the federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and manages affordable rental units in Mesa County. The authority also maintains a list of affordable rental properties and can refer residents to available units through local property management companies. Call (970) 245-0388 | https://www.gjha.org/.
Food Assistance
The Salvation Army and Grand Valley Catholic Outreach also offer significant food programs — see their full entries under Emergency Assistance above.
Community Food Bank of Grand Junction
The Community Food Bank is an independent nonprofit that has served Mesa County since 1978. Every dollar and donation it receives stays within the local community. It is the largest dedicated food assistance organization in the Grand Valley. Programs include below. Call (970) 640-0336 | 476 28˝ Road, Grand Junction, CO 81501. https://www.foodbankgj.org/
- Choice Pantry: Any Mesa County resident may visit in person to receive a box of nutritious food. The pantry uses a choice model — clients select their own groceries rather than receiving a pre-packed box. Fresh produce, bread, meat, and dairy are available alongside canned and dried goods. Generally open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday during afternoon and early evening hours. Closed the second Tuesday of each month. New clients must register on their first visit. Bilingual services available in Spanish.
- Frequency: Residents may receive food up to 24 times per year, no more than once per week.
- Home delivery: Emergency food box delivery is available for Mesa County residents with physical disabilities or medical conditions that prevent them from visiting in person. Ongoing monthly deliveries require a referral from a medical professional or case manager. Call for details.
- Harvest Mobile Market: A mobile food distribution program that travels to food-desert areas of Mesa County, pairing fresh and local foods with bilingual resource navigation.
- Food rescue: The food bank operates 23 weekly routes rescuing food from local grocery stores and restaurants, redirecting it to people in need.
- SNAP application assistance: Staff can help clients apply for SNAP food benefits during pantry visits.
Energy & Utility Bill Assistance
LEAP — Low-Income Energy Assistance Program
LEAP is a federally funded program that provides grants to low-income Colorado households to help pay winter heating bills. Mesa County residents apply through Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado. The application season runs from November 1 through April 30 each year. Funds are limited — applying early in the season is strongly advised.
The Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), available through the same application, provides emergency funds to repair or replace broken furnaces and heating systems that pose a health hazard. Broken window repairs may also qualify.
Outside the LEAP season, call 1-866-432-8435 (1-866-HEAT-HELP) to ask whether emergency energy assistance is available through alternative channels. Grand Valley Catholic Outreach also administers supplemental utility help through Energy Outreach Colorado during the non-LEAP season. Apply through: Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado. Off-season hotline: 1-866-432-8435 or Mesa County DHS: (970) 241-8480
Free Legal Aid
Colorado Legal Services — Grand Junction Office Est. Statewide 1958
Colorado Legal Services is the only statewide nonprofit providing free civil legal representation to low-income Coloradans in every county. The Grand Junction office serves Mesa, Delta, Garfield, and Montrose Counties. Services are available to residents who meet income guidelines based on federal poverty levels, or who are age 60 or older.
Practice areas include housing and eviction defense, family law, public benefits, consumer issues, and identification documents. Call, visit, or apply online. Staff attorneys and paralegals assess cases and provide direct representation or referrals to volunteer attorneys when possible. Call (970) 243-7940 | 422 White Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501. https://www.coloradolegalservices.org/.
Pro Bono Project of Mesa County
The Pro Bono Project recruits and coordinates volunteer attorneys to provide free civil legal services to low-income Mesa County residents. Qualifying cases include domestic violence, family law, landlord-tenant disputes, bankruptcy, consumer issues, and elder law.
Walk-in Wednesday: The executive director meets with walk-in applicants on Wednesdays between mid-morning and mid-afternoon, on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment needed for walk-ins. Protection order assistance is available with no income eligibility requirement — any victim of domestic violence or crime can call for help obtaining a protective order regardless of income. Call (970) 424-5748 | 359 Main Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501. https://probonomc.org/.
Services for Immigrants & Spanish Speakers
Hispanic Affairs Project (HAP)
HAP promotes immigrant integration across western Colorado through direct services, advocacy, and community outreach. Programs include immigration legal assistance, migrant outreach, and education and organizing on issues affecting immigrant and low-income families. HAP also provides voter registration and tax credit outreach, and assists with LEAP applications during the November-April heating season. Call (970) 249-4115 | 740 Gunnison Ave, Suite 208, Grand Junction, CO 81501. [email protected] | https://www.hapgj.org/
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