People visiting the Citizens Service Center for help with Department of Human Services programs can now access the lobby directly from outside the building, and no longer must walk down the halls. The new DHS lobby at the Citizens Service Center, 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road, opened last week.
The new entry is to the immediate right of the sliding doors that are the main entry to the building. The entrance and lobby location are different than the temporary space that has remained open during the pandemic, but what is expected in the new space remains the same. Services include over-the-shoulder help with applying online for assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), paperwork drop-off, and EBT card issuance.
The El Paso County Department of Human Services main lobby is on the first floor of the Citizens Service Center building. The new lobby opened at the very end of February 2021.
“The pandemic has impacted many in our region, and families and others are struggling,” said Julie Krow, executive director of the Department of Human Services. “Throughout the pandemic, DHS staff offered in-person services at the Citizens Service Center. I hope people in our community will pursue the assistance they may need to make sure their children and families have food and that they are able to access medical care.”
DHS relocated its main lobby to a temporary location on the first floor of the Citizens Service Center in March of last year. CARES funding allocated to the County paid for the construction of a new permanent lobby space on the first floor, just down the hall from the temporary lobby room. The space features several phone interview rooms, as well as a large waiting space to easily allow for distancing per COVID-19 health safety precautions.
However, the public is encouraged to utilize online resources to apply for and manage assistance programs. Colorado.gov/PEAK is a secure system and people can apply using a computer or cell phone. 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. Automated customer service help desk is available 24/7 for any PEAK user with the new PEAK Chatbot; click “Online Assistance” at the top of the PEAK homepage. 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. 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.
Efforts to protect the most vulnerable in our region never stopped. 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 9-1-1.
If you are seeking additional resources or assistance beyond human services programs, call 2-1-1 to be directed to community resources and nonprofits.