Department of Human Services

The El Paso County Department of Human Services (DHS) strives to protect our most vulnerable citizens while providing efficient access to the services provided by local, state and federal governments. We aim to keep families together and help them to become self sufficient. We work closely with community organizations to stretch the safety net we provide even further.

Telephone: (719) 636-0000

Main Location:
1st Floor
1675 West Garden of the Gods Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Additional locations

Protecting People of All Ages and Helping Families

County staff work around the clock to partner with their community to protect children and at-risk adults, and strengthen families.

Assistance available from DHS includes food assistance, medical assistance, child care assistance, and other programs. Many of these programs are paid for using state and federal funds and may be available to citizens who meet the eligibility requirements of each program. DHS provides abuse and neglect protection and prevention services through child and adult protection.

DHS works closely with community organizations to assist with handling many challenges faced by families in our region.

If it is an emergency, or an urgent situation, please contact law enforcement at 911.

Child Abuse Or Neglect Hotline:

  • The hotline is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
  • 1-844-CO-4-KIDS
  • 1-844-264‑5437

Adult Abuse or Neglect Intake Line:

  • Monitored between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, closed holidays
  • (719) 444-5755

Fraud Hotline:

General Information Customer Service Line:

  • (719) 636-0000

Requesting Records

If you seek records for your case, please download the Request for Records Form and Records Request Release of Info Form for submission. The records request form (with a copy of your ID) can be emailed to dhsrecordsroom@elpasoco.com. More information is available on the Records Requests page. If you have questions about your records request, please call (719) 444-5630.

Apply and Check Your Benefits Online

Colorado PEAK is the fast and easy way to access benefit information – anytime and anywhere. PEAK is an online service for Coloradans to screen and apply for medical, food, cash, and early childhood assistance programs.

The free MyCoBenefits app is available through the Apple and Android app stores. PEAKHealth is a free app for current Medicaid and CHP+ members who have a Colorado.gov/PEAK account.

https://coloradopeak.secure.force.com/

PEAK Virtual Assistance

The PEAK Chatbot is an automated customer service help desk available 24/7 for any PEAK user. To access the Chatbot, on the PEAK homepage, click “Online Assistance” at the top of the page.

With the Chatbot, users can:

  • View Case ID, current month’s program status, PEAK application status, and State/Member ID
  • Get help with logging in and password resets
  • Get help viewing and printing a medical card
  • View instructions on how to make a payment
  • Get help cancelling benefits
  • Create a help desk ticket
  • Chat with a live agent Mon.–Fri., 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

More details are in this flyer.

Important SNAP Update – Reduction in Benefits Beginning March 2023

All Coloradans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will see a reduction in their monthly benefit amount after February 2023. The temporary additional benefit amounts (emergency maximum allotments) are ending due to the result of recent congressional action. This change is not appealable. If you need help with food resources, you can visit https://careandshare.org/ or https://www.foodpantries.org/st/colorado to find the closest food pantry to you.

Colorado SNAP Call Center Now Live – Toll-free: 800-816-4451 (English only)

Clients can call into the automated system to gather information about their benefits, get their case status, and receive general SNAP updates.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

The City of Colorado Springs has partnered with Catholic Charities to implement the second round of state Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funding. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, ERAP is designed to assist low-income renters impacted by the direct and indirect economic effects of the COVID-19pandemic. Catholic Charities will manage applications and pay all approved requests on behalf of the City of Colorado Springs as of October 10, 2022.

For more information and to apply, visit https://coloradosprings.gov/erap.

El Paso County DHS provides protection services for those most vulnerable in our region. The agency is an integral part of assistance programs and services. If you are seeking records for your case, please download the Request for Records Form and Records Request Release of Info Form for submission.

El Paso County DHS works extensively with organizations, nonprofits and other entities to extend the reach of the safety net.

This section links to basic information about El Paso County Human Services, including locations, hours and contact information for department leadership.

Food Resources for Families

Care and Share is not distributing to individuals but is distributing food and food boxes to partner agencies. Click on FIND FOOD on the Care and Share website to find a pantry near you. Please call to confirm before visiting a site.

Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program

El Paso County Public Health operates three locations for the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program. To make an appointment, call (719) 578-3199 between 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. or visit the website at https://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/service/wic for more information.

Colorado Child Abuse Neglect Campaign Main Image

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. The non-discrimination statement can be found online: USDA Nondiscrimination Statement.

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