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Call 211, not 911, for coronavirus resources in Colorado

Posted at 3:21 PM, Mar 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-26 17:21:32-04

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — The Colorado State Emergency Operations Center on Thursday activated a 2-1-1 phone number for questions about getting resources amid the coronavirus outbreak in Colorado.

Residents can also visit 211Colorado.org or text their zip code to 898-211 for information via text. Officials are urging residents to not call 9-1-1 unless it's a medical emergency.

The 2-1-1 number comes after some local agencies reported a flood of 9-1-1 calls about the coronavirus, following the statewide stay-at-home order issued Wednesday. The 2-1-1 hotline will be confidential and offer multilingual assistance on navigating an array of issues:

Housing, shelter and transitional services; rent and utility assistance; applying for SNAP benefits; childcare; food; transportation; clothing and other personal needs; mental health and substance use services; employment; education; and medical clinics.

Callers will likely experience long wait times on the hotline. The state is hiring more employees to help handle the load of calls.

The state's emergency operations center is partnering with Mile High United Way on the 2-1-1 hotline.