colorado

• Modest Homeless Educational Services provides clear, step‑by‑step support to help students access the financial aid and campus resources they need to succeed. From completing the FAFSA and applying for state grants to securing Pell Grants and understanding federal loan options, the service simplifies complex processes and ensures individuals don’t miss out on available funding. Beyond financial aid, it also guides students in signing up for tutoring, mentoring, food assistance, and other campus programs, creating a pathway to opportunity and stability through education.

Did You Know?

• The United States Pell Grant is one of the most important forms of federal financial aid for college students. For the 2025–2026 academic year, the maximum award is $7,395. But here’s the powerful part: under the Year‑Round Pell program, students can receive up to 150% of their scheduled award — that’s $11,092 — if they enroll in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

How It Works

• Fall Semester: $3,697 (half of the annual maximum)

• Spring Semester: $3,697 (the other half)

• Summer Semester: $3,698 (the extra 50% allowed under Year‑Round Pell)

• Total Possible: $11,092

• This means students who take classes year‑round can stretch their Pell Grant further, accelerating their studies without taking on extra debt.

Why It Matters

• No repayment required — Pell Grants are grants, not loans.
• Supports low‑ and moderate‑income students — eligibility is based on financial need.
• Encourages year‑round enrollment — Summer funding helps students graduate faster.
• Covers tuition, fees, books, and living costs — flexible use makes it a lifeline for many.

Impact

• Nearly 40% of undergraduates nationwide benefit from Pell Grants. For many, it’s the difference between attending college full‑time or part‑time, and between graduating on time or dropping out. The Year‑Round Pell expansion ensures that students who want to keep momentum through Summer aren’t left without support.

But that’s not all…

Colorado College Opportunity Fund (COF)

• Stipend per credit hour: ~$104 (2025 rate)
• Maximum lifetime credits: 145
  
• Full‑time student (12 credits): ~$1,248 per semester
• Annual (24 credits): ~$2,496
• Four‑year total: ~$15,080

Colorado Student Grant (CSG)

• Award range: $1,000–$5,000 annually (varies by financial need and state funding)

• Eligibility: Colorado residents with demonstrated need via FAFSA

Takeaway

• In Denver/Colorado, students combine Pell + COF + CSG + institutional Promise programs to reach full tuition coverage.

Impact

• By combining federal and state support, Denver students can dramatically reduce the cost of higher education. For many, this funding covers not only tuition and fees but also books, housing, and living expenses — making college completion more achievable.

Denver Metro

• Metro Caring Address: 1100 E. 18th Avenue, Denver, CO 80218 Phone: (303) 860‑7200 Services: Choice‑style pantry with fresh produce, dairy, and shelf‑stable items.

• Bienvenidos Food Bank Address: 3810 Pecos Street, Denver, CO 80211 Phone: (303) 433‑6328 Services: Weekly groceries for families in need.

• Food Bank of the Rockies (Main Hub) Address: 10700 E. 45th Avenue, Denver, CO 80239 Phone: (303) 371‑9250 Services: Distributes food through 70+ mobile pantries and partner agencies.

Boulder & Northern Colorado

• Harvest of Hope Pantry Address: 5745 Arapahoe Avenue, Suite 2, Boulder, CO 80303 Phone: (720) 382‑1971 Services: Free groceries for anyone, expanded hours for families and individuals.

• Community Food Share Address: 650 S. Taylor Avenue, Louisville, CO 80027 Phone: (303) 652‑3663 Services: Distributes food to Boulder and Broomfield counties.

• House of Neighborly Service Address: 1511 E. 11th Street, Loveland, CO 80537 Phone: (970) 667‑4939 Services: Pantry and emergency food boxes.

Colorado Springs & Southern Colorado

• Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado Address: 2605 Preamble Point, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 Phone: (719) 528‑1247 Services: Serves 43 pantries in the region, mobile distributions.

• Westside CARES Address: 2808 W. Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 Phone: (719) 389‑0759 Services: Weekly groceries and emergency food support.

• La Puente Home Address: 913 State Avenue, Alamosa, CO 81101 Phone: (719) 589‑5909 Services: Pantry and hot meals for the San Luis Valley.

Western Slope

• Lift‑Up Address: 800 Railroad Avenue, Rifle, CO 81650 Phone: (970) 625‑4496 Services: Pantries and mobile food distribution in Rifle, Glenwood Springs, Parachute.

• Durango Food Bank Address: 194 Bodo Drive, Suite C, Durango, CO 81303 Phone: (970) 375‑2672 Services: Weekly groceries for La Plata County residents.

• Grand Valley Catholic Outreach Address: 245 S. 1st Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501 Phone: (970) 241‑3658 Services: Pantry and soup kitchen services.

Statewide Help

• Hunger Free Colorado – Food Resource Hotline 
• Phone: (855) 855‑4626 Services: Connects callers to nearby pantries, SNAP benefits, and nutrition programs.

 Denver‑Area Goodwill Outlet Stores

Goodwill Outlet – Denver

• Address: 4355 Kearney Street, Denver, CO 80216
• Phone: (720) 496‑2195
• Features: Pay‑by‑the‑pound pricing, large blue bins rotated every 30 minutes, wheelchair accessible, restrooms available.
• Notes: Children under 16 are not allowed for safety reasons; gloves recommended.

Goodwill Outlet – Westminster

• Address: 6892 W. 88th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80030
• Pricing: Same by‑the‑pound model as Denver.
• Notes: Popular with resellers; fast‑paced environment.

Goodwill Outlet – Englewood

• Address: 3030 W. Hampden Avenue, Englewood, CO 80110
• Pricing: By‑the‑pound, bins rotated frequently.
• Notes: Accessible location for south Denver metro shoppers.

Goodwill Outlet – Colorado Springs (outside Denver metro)

• Address: 2855 S. Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916
• Notes: Same outlet format, serving southern Colorado.

Pricing Snapshot (as of late 2025)

• Clothing & soft goods: ~$1.49 per pound

• Household items: ~$0.99 per pound

• Books: ~$0.25 each (varies)

• Shoes: ~$1.99 per pound (Prices may vary slightly by store; bins are rotated every 30 minutes to keep inventory fresh.)

Quick Highlights

• Treasure hunt style: Inventory changes constantly, so frequent visits can yield unique finds.

• Safety rules: No children under 16; gloves recommended.

• Eco‑friendly: Shopping here helps divert thousands of pounds of goods from landfills.

RTD Denver – Fares & Passes

• Local 3‑Hour Pass: $2.75 (valid for unlimited trips within 3 hours)

• Day Pass: $5.50 (unlimited trips until 2:59 am next day)

• Monthly Pass: $88 (unlimited local bus and rail travel for one month)

• Airport Fare: $10 one‑way to/from Denver International Airport

Senior / Disabled / Medicare Discounts

• Local 3‑Hour Pass: $1.35

• Day Pass: $2.70

• Monthly Pass: $27

Youth & Student Options

• Zero Fare for Youth Program: Riders 19 and under ride free (pilot extended through 2025)

• CollegePass: Unlimited RTD rides, included in student fees at schools like CU Denver, University of Denver, and MSU Denver. Value equivalent to $88/month, but students pay far less through their institution.

Active U.S. Military: Ride free on all RTD services

Other Colorado Cities

• Pueblo Transit: $1.25 regular fare, $0.60 senior/disabled; monthly $44 adult / $25 senior.

• Greeley–Evans Transit: $1.50 regular fare, $0.75 senior/disabled; monthly $50 adult / $20 senior; free with UNC student ID. (Local city systems set their own rates, but most follow similar discount structures.)

Key Highlights

• RTD Denver: Simplified fare system with 3‑hour, day, and monthly passes.

• Discounts: Seniors, disabled riders, and Medicare cardholders pay about half price.

• Youth: Free statewide under the Zero Fare for Youth program.

• Students: CollegePass provides unlimited rides at major Denver universities.

• Airport trips: Flat $10 fare to Denver International Airport.