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Jan. 17-21- Resources for Upcoming Dangerously Cold Weather

ECHCS Update: Dangerously cold weather this weekend
By VA Eastern Colorado Office of Public Affairs

Eastern Colorado is expected to experience dangerously cold temperatures beginning Friday (Jan. 17) and lasting until Tuesday (Jan. 21)

Overnight lows will be in the negatives and daytime highs will potentially only reach single digits, with negative wind chills all weekend. Exposure to these temperatures can become dangerous within a few minutes. Please take precautions throughout the weekend to avoid prolonged exposure to the cold weather. If you experience an emergency related to the weather, please call 911.

You can continue to monitor weather updates at https://www.weather.gov/.

Temporary Shelter at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center

There will be a temporary emergency shelter for unhoused Veterans stood up at the Rocky Mountain VA Medical Center (1700 N Wheeling St, Aurora, CO.) this weekend in Building A, to provide a safe place to shelter out of the cold.

Space is extremely limited. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17. The shelter will close promptly at noon on Tuesday, January 21. To use the shelter, Veterans should enter the Colfax or South Entrance at RMR after 6 p.m. on Friday and speak with VA Police to verify veteran status. No animals are allowed. 

VA ID or veteran identity must be verified. Non veterans will be routed to  Aurora Resource Day Center at 13387 E. 19th Place transitions into emergency shelter on a first-come, first-serve accommodation. No one will be turned away.

Community Warming Shelters

Warming shelters in communities across Eastern Colorado will be open throughout the weekend to provide a safe place to get out of the cold. If you or someone you know needs a warm place to go, please see the community resources below:

Denver

  • City of Denver HOST team is activating 24/7 cold weather shelter from 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30 through 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 at the Stone Creek Shelter (former Best Western hotel), 4595 Quebec St., the Aspen shelter (former DoubleTree hotel), 4040 Quebec St., and at the city facilities located at 2601 W. 7th Ave. and 375 S. Zuni St. 
  • Denver Libraries and Rec Centers will be open for warming shelters.
  • Or Individuals in need of shelter are encouraged to go to “front door” shelter access points: 
    • For individual men – Denver Rescue Mission Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St.
    • For individual women – Samaritan House, 2301 Lawrence St.
    • For youth ages 12 - 24– Urban Peak, 1630 S. Acoma St.
    • Families in need of shelter should call the Connection Center at 303-295-3366.

Aurora

  • Aurora Day Resource Center- providing overnight weather shelter 
    • 13387 E. 19th PL, AURORA, 303-343-7808
    • Folks can be here during the day and then at night at transported to the Aurora Housing Navigation Center for overnight shelter.

Jefferson County

  • Lakewood Severe Weather Shelter at Recovery Works- individuals, service pets 
    • 8000 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, Colorado
  • Mission Arvada- the Rising Church- Dogs allowed 
    • 7500 W. 57th Ave., Arvada, Colorado
    • 720-334-8584
    • Sign-up 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Evergreen Christian Outreach- Individuals, Families 
    • Criminal Background Check Required
    • 303-670-1796
    • Open 6:15 p.m. - 7 a.m.

Adam's County

The Severe Weather Activation Program (SWAP) in Colorado provides hotel vouchers and case management to people experiencing homelessness during severe weather. SWAP is run by the non-profit Almost Home, Inc.. 

Who qualifies for SWAP?

  • People who are experiencing literal homelessness, which means they are living in a place not meant for daily living, such as a park, sidewalk, or tent 
  • People with documented ties to Adams, Broomfield, or Weld counties 

How can I get more information?

  • You can visit the SWAP website for up-to-date information 
  • You can call 303-659-6199 for more information

Colorado Springs

Springs Rescue Mission

  • 5W Las Vegas Street Colorado Springs CO. 80903

The Salvation Army

  • 709 S. Sierra Madre St. Colorado Springs, Colorado 

Pueblo

Pueblo Rescue Mission

  • 728 W. 4th Street Pueblo, Colorado
  • 719-924-8413

VA Health Connect

Access urgent care, even on holidays, by dialing 303-399-8020 for VA Health Connect: 

  • To connect virtually with a medical provider or tele-emergency care provider.

To manage your routine medications and appointments. 

 

What is Frostbite?

Frostbite is an injury to the body caused by freezing body tissue. The most susceptible parts of the body are the extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose Symptoms include a loss of feeling in the extremity and a white or pale appearance. Medical attention is needed immediately for frostbite. The area should be SLOWLY re-warmed.

What is Hypothermia?

Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature (below 95 degrees Fahrenheit). Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. Medical attention is needed urgently for hypothermia. Warm the body slowly.