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Help Denver's Unhoused Folks Keep Warm This Winter

Posted on November 14, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Peyton Garcia

Peyton Garcia

Snow covers tents at an unhoused camp.

Snow covers tents at an unhoused camp. (Hyoung Chang / The Denver Post / Getty Images)

The weather is getting colder, and for most of us that brings cozy evenings by the fire or snuggled up under a blanket. But for the thousands of people living unsheltered on Denver’s streets, it’s a matter of survival. Here are a few local resources that help people stay warm this winter.

Winter Gear

Give (or receive) old or new tents, tarps, sleeping bags, blankets, coats, gloves, and beanies through local organizations like Mutual Aid Monday or the Housekeys Action Network Denver (HAND).

  • See HAND’s winter gear Amazon wishlist
  • Coats for Colorado also collects donations — with drop-off locations all across the Front Range — to ensure all Coloradans have access to a warm winter coat at no cost

Warming Shelters

In the event of dangerously low temperatures, the city utilizes rec centers as “warming shelters.” When the city activates its warming shelter protocols, information will be available on the DenverGov.org homepage.

2-1-1

No matter where you live in Colorado, dialing 211 (or texting 898-211) will get you connected to health and human services programs in your local area.

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