Extra support for youth, LGBTQ+ folks, and older adults.
Some programs in and around Boulder are aimed specifically at young people, families with kids,
LGBTQ+ folks, and seniors. This page is about those extra doors.
If you’ve ever felt like “the system” wasn’t built with you in mind, you’re not wrong.
These are places that at least try to see the difference.
Youth & young adults
Teens & early 20s
If you’re a teenager or young adult, you may qualify for youth-focused programs –
often with different shelters, case managers, or drop-in spaces.
Ask any case manager about youth-specific services in Boulder County.
If you’re still in school or near school age, ask about school-based support.
Youth programs sometimes offer safer spaces, more flexible rules, and education help.
Even if you’ve bounced between places, you still deserve a safe place to land.
Families with kids & McKinney-Vento
School-based help
If you have kids in school and are homeless or couch-surfing, federal McKinney-Vento
protections may help with transportation, school stability, and supplies.
Contact the homeless liaison at your child’s school district.
Tell them your housing situation (shelter, car, couch-surfing, etc.).
Ask about help with getting kids to school and keeping them enrolled.
School staff don’t always explain these rights clearly – you are allowed to ask directly.
LGBTQ+ & trans folks
Safer spaces
Being unhoused and queer or trans can add extra layers of risk. Some organizations
try to create safer spaces and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people.
Look for LGBTQ+-friendly centers and support organizations in Boulder County.
Ask case managers if they know which shelters or programs are safer for LGBTQ+ people.
Trust your read on a space – if it feels unsafe, you are not overreacting.
You deserve safety and respect, including around your name and pronouns.
Older adults & seniors
Extra risk, extra need
Being older on the street is brutal. Some services pay extra attention to age for
housing and health care priorities.
Tell staff your age – it may matter for waitlists and housing options.
Ask about senior-focused services or housing programs.
Ask if any clinics or outreach teams specialize in older adults.
Aging doesn’t cancel your worth. If anything, it means the system should be working harder for you.
