Following news of mandated closures throughout Colorado in the restaurant and hospitality industry, the Colorado Apartment Association has created a guide to help Colorado renters in the face of income shortfalls.

“The basic shutdown of much of our economy in Colorado creates hardships for many Coloradans. Fortunately, there are resources available to those who are at risk of not being able to pay their rent,” Mark Williams, executive vice president, Colorado Apartment Association, said in a news release. “It's important that renters pay as much of their rent as they can, because our industry is dependent on rent payments to pay employees' salaries, vendors, and loan payments. While the city has placed a temporary hold on evictions, it is not their intent that residents avoid paying rent if they have the ability to do so. Rather, it is to prevent residents from losing housing during the pandemic and deploy city resources in a way they believe is better for Denver.”

To download the guide, go to www.aamdhq.org/covid-19-coronavirus-resource-page

The guide offers resources across Colorado as well as resources in counties and cities. Residents should contact these resources to determine whether they qualify for subsidies or help from the government or from various nonprofits such as Brothers Redevelopment or TRUA. Many government programs and nonprofits grant funds to tenants on a first-come, first-served basis, so residents who believe they are at risk should start getting in line as soon as they realize they are at risk.

If a resident does not qualify for subsidies or help from any nonprofit or a government entity, then he or she should ask the rental housing provider to allow a payment plan to pay over a 30-day period or more. Payment plans should be in writing.