Colorado 2-1-1 is a statewide initiative to provide information and referral service to residents in need of non-emergency (i.e. non-life-threatening) assistance. 2-1-1 is the easy-to-remember and universally recognizable telephone number that makes critical connection between individuals in need and available services.

This service has been operational since October 2003 for Boulder and Broomfield Counties as well as the greater Denver metro area. The help line, located at Mile High United Way, has the most comprehensive listing of non-profit health and human service agencies in the nine county area. The database has information on over 4,500 programs in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin and Jefferson Counties.  In addition to the easy to remember 2-1-1 telephone number, the database is available on-line at www.211colorado.org .

• People in need get more and better information by using 2-1-1 than by using most printed directories. 
• The Information and Referral Specialists who answer the phone are trained to focus on the caller’s situation and refer the caller to the most appropriate services. 
• This service provides a single source for help instead of having to make multiple phone calls to find needed services.
• The help line, located at Mile High United Way, has the most comprehensive listing of health and human service agencies in the area. 

Since it has been in service, roughly 50% of calls received from our area have been requests for such services as Emergency Shelter/Transitional Housing, Utility Assistance, Rental Assistance, Medical/Dental referrals, and general financial assistance. Childcare, senior services, and support groups are some of the other categories that comprise the requests made. 

Foothills United Way is very excited about the many benefits of 2-1-1 for our area’s citizens, as well as our health and human service organizations. We look forward to ensuring that your agency is a successful part of this initiative. Please call Kelli Rucker at 303-444-4013, or email to krucker@unitedwayfoothills.org if you have any questions or need additional information. 

For general information on the nationwide 2-1-1 initiative go to www.211.org.  If you would like to have your agency included, or if you need to update your information in 2-1-1, you can download the forms below. Please read the Criteria for Inclusion.**