Community Empowerment
Need financial support or benefits guidance in Summit County? Our Community Empowerment team offers free, confidential help with daily costs, bills, housing support, and benefits navigation for anyone who lives or works here.
FIRC’s Community Empowerment team focuses on working intentionally with people to overcome the challenges of living in a community with a high cost of living and housing challenges. The purpose of our program is to assist with goal setting, financial coaching, and establishing connections to community resources. Our programs include the Housing Justice Scholarship (HJS) program, Local Lift, and Utility Assistance.Â
- The Housing Justice Scholarship (HJS) Program – a 5 month case management program.Â
- Local Lift: Summit’s Workforce Stability Initiative – short-term case management program. PLEASE NOTE: This program does not provide emergency rental assistance. Payments are issued once per month and are intended for upcoming expenses, not past-due balances.Â
- Utility Assistance – can assist with paying past due electricity or gas bills. This program has been put on hold for this summer and will resume in October 2026. Â
To engage in any of our programs, apply below or call (970) 262-3888 to get more information.Â
Our Housing Justice Scholarship Program is Currently Waitlisted. The HJS program is currently at capacity and accepting waitlist applications only. If you apply, we will keep your information on file and reach out when the program is able to serve additional participants. In the meantime, your application may be considered for Local Lift on a case-by-case basis.
Are you a referring agency? Please complete the form below to refer a client. Individuals seeking support may also use this form to request outreach from our team.
How we can help
Local Lift - Summit's Workforce Stability Initiative
Local Lift is a 3-5 visit empowerment program designed for families and locals who live or work in Summit County, CO. Local Lift is a service for community members experiencing a temporary hardship that does not require intensive case management. Clients must have resided in Summit County for at least 1 year to qualify.
Energy outreach colorado (eoc) - bill payment assistance
Provide bill payment assistance to households who are behind on their energy bills and are at risk of not having home energy. Payments are made directly to a local utility or fuel company. Find more information with the State of Colorado.
Funding for this program is provided by Energy Outreach Colorado.Â
This program has been put on hold for this summer and will resume in October 2026. Â
Housing Justice Scholarship (HJS) Program
FIRC’s Housing Justice Scholarship (HJS) is a program created to better the lives of people living and working in Summit County and with dependent children under the age of 18 in the home. The HJS program is intended to stabilize households by engaging participants in a case management framework that will empower them to set and achieve goals, build skills and establish connections to community resources. Scholarship participants must agree to work with a Financial Empowerment Caseworker over the course of five months. Participants must also sign and abide by the HJS Program Agreement which includes participating in minimally 2 appointments each month. The HJS program is subject to availability of grant funding each year.
other resources
FIRC partners with nonprofits, local and state government programs and other organizations and businesses. If there is a need for a service that FIRC does not provide, we will do our best to help you locate assistance elsewhere through referral and advocacy. For assistance, call our front desk at: 970-262-3888.
LEAP (Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program):
Eligible participants experiencing a heat emergency, such as running out of propane, natural gas shut offs or failing heating systems may be eligible for expedited processing of their application. Apply online or call 1-866-432-8435 for more information.
Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance:
The Division of Housing (DOH) has emergency rental assistance funding for Coloradans who have fallen behind on their rent, meet income limits and other qualifying factors, and are at risk of eviction or displacement. The random selection will be open to Coloradans, and those facing eviction will continue to be prioritized. Click here to apply.
EOC – Community Solar Gardens:Â
This program connects limited-income renters and homeowners with community solar gardens to receive credits towards their energy bill.  To qualify, the household income must be at or below 80% of your county’s area median income. Click here to learn more. Funding for this program is provided by Energy Outreach Colorado.
Internet Connectivity Resources:
Several internet providers offer programs to help low-income households get connected at more affordable rates. For example, Comcast’s Internet Essentials program provides low-cost internet, an optional $150 laptop, and free digital skills training for qualifying households. Other providers may offer similar programs, and FIRC can help connect you with the right resources for your needs.
Important update
FIRC will not be offering Connect for Health Colorado (C4HCO) health insurance enrollment assistance for 2027.
What benefits are available to me?
Meet MyFriendBen and find out what you’re eligible for. Quickly estimate the cash value of those programs and the time it takes to sign up, so you can make a plan before you apply. This tool is fast, anonymous and judgment-free.
How can the Community Health team help you?
- Health Insurance Navigation
- Medical bill navigation, discounted care apps, payment plans & medical assistance
- Advocacy for clients with complicated medical issues, cases, or barriers
cover all coloradans
House Bill 1289 or Cover All Coloradans, known as Health Benefit for Children and Pregnant Persons expands health coverage to children and pregnant persons regardless of immigration status. The legislation is to improve health equity for pregnant persons and children in Colorado by making coverage more affordable, more broadly available, and invests in perinatal and postpartum care regardless of immigration status.
ways we can help
- Health insurance navigation (CHP+, Medicaid, and food assistance programs like SNAP & WIC & Free & Reduced Meal Program (FRMP)
- Health literacy – education on how to use your insurance coverage
- Assistance with health insurance issues and medical bill assistance
Confusing Medical Bills? Need Immediate Assistance? The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) is a non-profit who’s mission is to advance the consumer voice to improve access to health care for all Coloradans by working statewide for progress toward, equity, affordability, and quality. Click on the link if you want someone to reach out to you with answers to questions and help.
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