Best Domestic Violence in Colorado — 19 resources

About Domestic Violence for Women

Domestic violence services for women are anchored by the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE), the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and a state coalition in every state coordinated through the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). VAWA funds shelters, transitional housing, legal services, and immigration relief (U-visa, T-visa, VAWA self-petition). Survivors can obtain civil protective orders, address-confidentiality through state ACP programs, and victim advocates through local prosecutor offices. The National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE) and StrongHearts Native Helpline serve specific survivor populations. This directory includes hotlines, shelters, state DV coalitions, and protective order resources.

Domestic Violence in Colorado

Colorado uses 'allocation of parental responsibilities' instead of 'custody' and hears cases in district courts. The Child Support Services division runs enforcement statewide. Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Fort Collins anchor the major metros. Colorado Legal Services, Project Safeguard, and the Violence Free Colorado coalition support women across the state.

19 Resources

1. Violence Free Colorado — Free

Violence Free Colorado is the state DV coalition, federally designated to set training standards for advocates and to administer the Address Confidentiality Program for survivors fleeing abusive partners. Located on Fox Street near downtown Denver. Does not run a shelter but maintains the most current directory of all 53 member programs across the state.

303-831-9632 · 1330 Fox St Suite 1, Denver, CO 80204 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

2. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

The Hotline answers 24/7 in over 200 languages and warm-transfers Colorado callers to the nearest member shelter, including Violence Free Colorado affiliates. Chat at thehotline.org and text START to 88788 if a phone call isn't safe in your home.

800-799-7233 · National Service · 24/7 · Visit Website

3. SafeHouse Denver — Free

SafeHouse Denver runs an emergency shelter at a confidential location plus the only counseling-only outreach center in Denver for adults and children who don't need shelter. Court advocates help with protection orders at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse. Services are free regardless of immigration status.

303-318-9989 · Denver, CO (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

4. TESSA — Colorado Springs — Free

TESSA serves El Paso and Teller counties as the DV and sexual assault provider, with a confidential shelter, a 24-hour hotline, and a Family Justice Center pilot. The agency also coordinates with Fort Carson, Schriever, and Peterson Space Force Base advocates for military survivors.

719-633-3819 · Colorado Springs, CO (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

5. Gateway Domestic Violence Services — Aurora — Free

Gateway runs an Aurora emergency shelter, transitional housing, and a children's program for survivors of intimate partner violence. The agency is co-located with the Aurora Police Department victim advocates and handles a large refugee and immigrant caseload from Colfax-corridor communities.

303-343-1851 · Aurora, CO (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline

6. Rose Andom Center — Denver — Free

The Rose Andom Center is Denver's family justice center on Fox Street where survivors meet with police, prosecutors, civil legal aid, and SafeHouse advocates in one building. Mothers can file protection orders, plan safety, and access child therapy without telling their story repeatedly across multiple agencies.

720-337-4400 · 1330 Fox St, Denver, CO 80204 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. MESA — Moving to End Sexual Assault — Boulder — Free

MESA is Boulder County's sexual assault response center providing 24/7 hospital advocacy at Boulder Community Health and Longmont United Hospital, plus free counseling for survivors and their families. Long-running prevention work in CU Boulder dorms and Boulder Valley schools.

303-443-7300 · Boulder, CO (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

8. Crossroads Safehouse — Fort Collins — Free

Crossroads Safehouse runs Larimer County's only DV emergency shelter, accepts pets, and operates a thrift store on Howes Street where survivors get free clothing and household goods. The agency staffs the Fort Collins Police Department's Victim Services Team.

970-482-3502 · Fort Collins, CO (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline · Visit Website

9. Hilltop Community Resources — Grand Junction — Free

Hilltop's Latimer House is the DV shelter serving Mesa, Garfield, Rio Blanco, and Delta counties on Colorado's Western Slope. The agency also runs the Western Slope Children's Advocacy Center for child abuse forensic interviews.

970-242-4400 · Grand Junction, CO (confidential location) · 24/7 Hotline

10. National Domestic Violence Hotline — Free

Beyond crisis support, thehotline.org publishes safety planning workbooks, technology safety guides for survivors stalked through devices, and a Spanish-language counterpart at 1-800-787-3224. Free, confidential, and never shows up on a phone bill.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Loveisrespect — Free

Loveisrespect targets teens and young adults experiencing dating abuse, with a 24/7 hotline, text (LOVEIS to 22522), and chat. Useful for Colorado mothers whose adolescent daughters are in unhealthy relationships and need a peer-style entry point to disclosure.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. StrongHearts Native Helpline — Free

StrongHearts is the only national DV helpline by and for Native women, with deep relationships to the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes in southwest Colorado. Advocates understand tribal jurisdiction, ICWA, and BIA reporting requirements.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence — Free

NCADV is headquartered in Denver and is the largest national DV membership coalition. Resources include personal safety apps, model legislation tracked across all 50 states, and remembrance work for survivors killed by partners each year.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Futures Without Violence — Free

Futures Without Violence trains Colorado healthcare providers on the CUES intervention for routine DV screening in clinics and ERs. Resources include the Coaching Boys Into Men curriculum used in several Colorado high schools.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. DomesticShelters.org — Free

DomesticShelters.org maintains a free, searchable directory of every Colorado DV shelter, with bed availability, languages spoken, pet acceptance, and child age limits. The fastest way to find a shelter outside your home county if a local one isn't safe.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence — Free

API-GBV produces culturally specific resources for AAPI survivors that Colorado advocates use when serving Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Hmong, and Filipino mothers. Includes language-line guidance and policy work on T-visas and U-visas.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. Casa de Esperanza — Free

Casa de Esperanza is the lead national Latina@x DV organization, partnering with Colorado programs like Servicios de La Raza and Latina SafeHouse for culturally rooted advocacy. Resources are bilingual and respect mixed-status families.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) — Free

OVW administers VAWA grants funding much of Colorado's DV legal advocacy and rural outreach. The site lists which Colorado programs receive Transitional Housing, Legal Assistance for Victims, and STOP grant funds.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

19. RAINN — Sexual Assault Hotline — Free

RAINN's 1-800-656-HOPE line routes Colorado callers to local rape crisis centers including MESA, TESSA, and the Blue Bench in Denver. The website also offers an online chat and Spanish-language hotline (1-800-656-HOPE then press 1).

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many domestic violence resources are in Colorado?
Women's Corner tracks 19 domestic violence resources for women in Colorado.
Are domestic violence resources in Colorado free?
19 of the 19 listed domestic violence resources in Colorado are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Colorado have domestic violence resources?
Listings span cities including Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Boulder, Fort Collins, Grand Junction.
What are some examples of domestic violence resources in Colorado?
Featured entries include Violence Free Colorado, National Domestic Violence Hotline, SafeHouse Denver, TESSA — Colorado Springs, Gateway Domestic Violence Services — Aurora.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
9 of 19 Colorado domestic violence listings include phone numbers.
How do I get a restraining order?
Go to your county's family or civil courthouse and ask the clerk for a 'protective order' or 'order of protection' petition — no attorney or filing fee required. Temporary ex parte orders can be issued the same day. A full hearing follows within 10–21 days. Court advocates and DV agencies help fill out forms; bring any evidence (texts, photos, police reports).
Where can I go right now if I'm not safe?
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (text START to 88788) — they connect you to your nearest shelter, arrange emergency transport, and help with a safety plan. Shelters are confidential, free, and 24/7. If you're in immediate danger, call 911 and ask for a DV advocate at the scene.
Will the shelter take my kids?
Yes. Domestic violence shelters accept women with children — most accommodate boys up to age 17 (a few have age limits around 12–13 for older boys, and will arrange alternate placement nearby). Pets are increasingly welcome through programs like RedRover and Sheltering Animals & Families Together. Bring kids' birth certificates, school records, and any medications if you can.
Is the hotline really free and confidential?
Yes — the National DV Hotline and all state DV hotlines are free, confidential, anonymous, available 24/7, and offered in 200+ languages. Advocates don't report to police, immigration, or CPS unless you request it (mandatory reporting applies only to active child abuse). You can call to plan, vent, or just ask questions before deciding anything.