Colorado Refugee Services Program

Information for newcomers and the welcoming community

The Colorado Refugee Services Program helps newcomers and our welcoming community to navigate available programs and services in our state. Start here to explore frequently asked questions, get information about resources, learn how community sponsorship works and how to connect sponsored individuals to services.

Frequently asked questions

How can I support refugees in Colorado? 

Thanks for your interest in supporting your new refugee neighbors. Colorado’s refugee resettlement agencies are key partners in welcoming refugees. Explore their websites for opportunities to donate, volunteer and engage. 

• ECDC/African Community Center
• International Rescue Committee of Denver
• Jewish Family Service
• Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains

Learn more about resettlement agency services and find agency contact information here.
 
How are you supporting migrants who have crossed the Southwest border and are now arriving in Colorado?

The vast majority of new migrants arriving in Colorado from the Southwest border are asylum seekers, so they are unfortunately not eligible for refugee services at this time. The City and County of Denver and Colorado's Office of New Americans are playing leadership roles in this response. Please visit Denver's Office of Emergency Management website to learn more about our local response and how you can help. 

Which groups have recently arrived, or are currently arriving, in Colorado? 

Explore this infographic, which provides detailed arrival and enrollment information by country, alongside key employment and service data. Additional data can be found in the "Data About Refugees in Colorado" dropdown menu on this page. 
 
What services are available for refugees and other eligible populations? 

There are an array of services available for individuals served via the refugee program. For more information on refugee services and benefits these populations may be eligible for, visit the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement website. Services include: case management, referrals to services, public benefits assistance, job search and placement, housing assistance, behavioral health, legal assistance, and more. Each program may have additional eligibility requirements; the aforementioned list highlights the range of services available. All programs funded by CRSP are detailed in the ‘Services for Refugees’ section on this webpage. 
 
Is there specific information for Afghans and Ukrainians resettling in Colorado? 

Yes. In response to large arrivals numbers for these two communities, the State of Colorado developed the following welcome packets to provide essential information about connecting to a wide array of services in Colorado.

• English
• Dari / دری
• Pashto / پښتو
• Ukrainian / українська

I am a Ukrainian or I am supporting a Ukrainian. What is the first step to connect to services? 
 
Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees are strongly encouraged to reach out directly to CRSP. To register, Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees or their sponsors will need to provide CRSP with a copy of documents verifying their identity and immigration status, available medical documents, including tuberculosis and immunization records, as well as their current address and contact information. 
 
If you have any questions, or if you would like to help a Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee
connect to the state refugee office, please contact, Elise Legge, the CRSP Community Sponsorship Coordinator:

• Phone: 303.406.0549
• Email: elise.legge@state.co.us

What health services are required for individuals enrolling in refugee services?

The Refugee Domestic Medical Exam is strongly recommended for all refugees and others served in the refugee program. Only select medical providers in Colorado are trained and funded to provide this exam. To coordinate this exam, individuals should work with their resettlement agency, or enroll with CRSP to be referred to a resettlement agency. 

As an element of the Domestic Medical Exam, individuals must also complete additional dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine and other age-appropriate vaccines. 

What specific requirements are there for Ukrainians, and for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans?

Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees are required to receive a medical screening for tuberculosis, including an Interferon-Gamma Release Assays test within 90 days of arrival. 

Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) vaccine attestation requirements are outlined here.

Will receiving public benefits (such as Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or SSI) potentially impact refugees, Afghan Humanitarian Parolees, Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees or other populations eligible for services from the Office of Refugee Resettlement if they apply for Legal Permanent Resident status in the U.S.?

Refugees, Afghan Humanitarian Parolees, Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees and other Office of Refugee Resettlement Eligible populations are not subject to the public charge test. This means that receipt of public assistance by these individuals at the time they held an Office of Refugee Resettlement eligible status will not be considered in their application for Legal Permanent Resident status. Receiving SNAP does not affect an individual’s immigration status and does not affect a non-citizen’s ability to become a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service website to learn more.
 
Have unaccompanied minors from Afghanistan or Ukraine come to Colorado? 

Unaccompanied Afghan Children have been placed in Colorado’s Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) Program since late 2021 with the goal of awaiting reunification with families or emancipating from care. Unaccompanied Ukrainian children are eligible for the URM program, however, at this time there are no unaccompanied Ukrainian children or youth needing placements. 
Colorado is actively seeking foster families to provide a home and care for Unaccompanied Afghan youth, the majority of whom are males aged 16 years or older. For more information about becoming a foster parent for the URM Program, please connect with the Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains Foster Care program or Denver Human Services. 

How can I hire refugees and other eligible populations? 

The vast majority of the populations served via the refugee program are authorized to work in the U.S. Explore the USCIS website for additional information. Employment authorization questions can be directed to CRSP as well at crsp@state.co.us.  Refugees come to the United States with a variety of educational and professional backgrounds and find employment in a wide array of fields, from production and service to IT, healthcare, professional services and more.

Refugee resettlement agencies and other workforce development organizations assist with job placement efforts. You may contact them directly, or reach out to CRSP (crsp@state.co.us) to share opportunities.

Welcome packets

These comprehensive welcome packages support Colorado's newcomers to access essential programs and services across the state.

• English
• Dari / دری
• Pashto / پښتو
• Ukrainian / українська

Sponsoring a refugee

Sponsorship offers a way for interested individuals and groups to directly support refugees and other displaced individuals to rebuild their lives in Colorado. Sponsors supporting newcomers who are eligible for refugee services are encouraged to collaborate with resettlement agencies and other refugee-serving organizations to best meet the needs of newly arriving individuals.  All current or pending community sponsors are strongly encouraged to reach out to Elise Legge, the Colorado Refugee Services Program's community sponsorship coordinator, at elise.legge@state.co.us or 303.406.0549, to discuss available programs and services for newcomers.

There are several newly emerging ways you can engage by sponsoring a refugee. These programs complement the services offered by the Colorado Refugee Services Program, but are not overseen by this office. 

• Welcome Corps: An opportunity for residents of the United States to form Private Sponsor Groups and welcome a refugee.
• Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan (CHNV) Program: The opportunity to directly sponsor an individual from one of these countries to come via Humanitarian Parole. Note that only Cubans and Haitians are eligible for refugee services upon arrival.
• Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) Program: The opportunity to sponsor a known Ukrainian individual(s). 
• Welcome.US: A national program to support broad-based welcoming of newcomers, they have a variety of resources, from an FAQ and training resources to a platform to help interested U.S. sponsors identify someone they can sponsor.