Looking for real help after release in Colorado, Reentry Grants for Felons in Colorado Can Help? Yes, real help is available through reentry programs for felons in Colorado that offer housing, jobs, and education support after release. Colorado’s most trusted reentry, grant, and assistance programs for felons includes WAGEES, C-SCHARP, ReHire Colorado, Colorado Student Grant, Second Chance Pell, and support services from the Colorado Department of Corrections. If you are looking for a job, education or to have stability after incarceration, go through the guide to explore all the available help for felons after release in Colorado.
Reentry Grants for Felons in Colorado
There are financial assistance and state-funded programs after release through reentry grants for felons in Colorado.
WAGEES (Work and Gain Education & Employment Skills)
Work and Gain Education & Employment Skills (WAGEES) is a Colorado community-based employment program for felons in Colorado helping them reintegrate into society successfully. This program is supported by the Colorado Department of Corrections and community partners statewide working relentlessly to provide access to stable employment, education, and housing for individuals after incarceration.
Eligibility For WAGEES (Work and Gain Education & Employment Skills)
To be eligible for WAGEES (Work and Gain Education & Employment Skills), individuals who are currently on parole under the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC), in community corrections or have been released from a CDOC facility within the past 12 months and are not under supervision yet.
How To Apply for WAGEES (Work and Gain Education & Employment Skills)?
You cannot apply directly for WAGEES as there is no centralized application form. Your enrollment depends on referrals through community partners. You can simply ask your community parole office to refer you to local WAGEES partners or check out the list of community partners of WAGEES and choose the nearest one. To know more about the program visit the website of Colorado WAGEES.
C-SCHARP (The Colorado Second Chance Housing and Re-Entry Program)
The Colorado Second Chance Housing and Re-Entry Program (C-SCHARP) is a statewide initiative, offering housing assistance for felons in Colorado. C-SCHARP’s mission is to connect the eligible participants with transitional housing resources, supportive services, and coordination with parole or community corrections. The program also focuses on reducing homelessness and recidivism by providing safe and structured environments to the felons to reintegrate back to the community.
Eligibility For C-SCHARP
To be eligible for C-SCHARP, individuals with felony convictions who are leaving a Colorado Department of Corrections facility, are on parole or in community corrections, or are within a defined period post-release and actively working on reentry goals. The applicants also need to demonstrate a housing requirement.
How To Apply For C-SCHARP For Felons?
To apply for C-SCHARP, individuals are required to connect with a referring agency or talk to their parole office to refer them to C-SCHARP. You might need to go through assessment and provide necessary documentation of release status and housing requirements. To learn more about the C-SCHARP, check out For general queries simply call on 303-866-4670.
CDOC Community Re-Entry Specialists Services
CDOC Community Re-Entry Specialists (CRES) offers reentry support services in Colorado, the staff within the Colorado Department of Corrections work directly with felons helping them to transition from incarceration to easily reintegrate in the community. Their main role is to provide integrated case management and reentry support services to help the felons and also provide them help with housing, employment, transportation, or connections to community resources.
Eligibility To Services From CDOC Community Re-Entry Specialists
To receive services from CDOC Community Re-Entry Specialists, individuals who are leaving incarceration and currently on parole with case management. Individuals also need to demonstrate the need for housing, employment and transportation.
How To Apply For Services from CDOC Community Re-Entry Specialists?
There is no dedicated application procedure for CDOC Community Re-Entry Specialists. The eligible individuals are connected to Department of Corrections Community Re-Entry Specialists through their parole officer, release case manager, or community corrections staff. To learn more visit Colorado Department of Corrections or call on (303) 763-5014
Educational Grants For Felons in Colorado
College grants for felons in Colorado through programs like Colorado Student Grant (CSG), and EmpowerEd Grant. Scholarship programs from Daniels Fund and Boettcher Foundation also offer financial aid for formerly incarcerated students.
Colorado Student Grant (CSG)
The Colorado Student Grant (CSG) is a state-funded, need-based financial aid program designed to help low-income Colorado residents pay for college including felons and justice-involved individuals. The grant can be used to cover tuition, fees, and education-related expenses and also to participate in Colorado public colleges, community colleges, and some private nonprofit institutions to pursue higher education. The annual amount ranges from $500 to $5,500 per academic year for eligible undergraduate students.
Colorado Student Grant (CSG) – Eligibility for Felons
To be eligible for Colorado Student Grant (CSG), felons who are Colorado residents, enrolled at least half-time in an eligible institution, and demonstrate financial need based on the FAFSA. However, felons need to meet the basic federal aid rules.
How to Apply for the Colorado Student Grant (CSG)?
To apply for the Colorado Student Grant (CSG, felons need to complete FAFSA listing a participant Colorado College. Remember, there is no dedicated CSG application. Your eligibility will be considered looking at your FAFSA data. Once enrolled your grant amount and awards will be directly sent to your student account. To learn more about the grants visit Colorado Department of Higher Education and for general queries email them at [email protected]
EmpowerEd Grant for Felons in Colorado
The EmpowerEd program in Colorado is a state-funded higher education grant designed to help out the eligible students by covering the remaining amount cost of attendance after application of federal, state, and institutional financial aid. This program is administered by Colorado Department of Higher Education, covers tuition, fees, housing, books, transportation, and other education-related expenses of eligible applicants at participating Colorado public institutions.
EmpowerEd Grant – Eligibility for Felons
To be eligible for the EmpowerEd Grant, felons must be Colorado residents and have completed the FAFSA or CASFA application and accepted or enrolled at an eligible Colorado public college or school. There are no special requirements for felons, they just need to qualify based on financial needs and education goals.
How to Apply for the EmpowerEd Grant in Colorado?
To apply for the EmpowerEd Grant in Colorado, you need to complete the FAFSA or CASFA application and ensure that you have been admitted or enrolled in a participating Colorado public institution. Submit the EmpowerEd Application before the deadline and you need to reapply for the program each year to receive the benefits. To learn about deadlines visit Colorado Department of Higher Education.
Daniels Fund Scholarships
The Daniels Fund Scholarship Program, offered by the private Daniels Fund foundation, is a need- and merit-based college scholarship. This scholarship is primarily available for graduating high school seniors from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. You can get access to financial support through the scholarship offering $100,000 over four years at other accredited nonprofit institutions to pursue bachelor’s degrees and build a successful career.
Daniels Fund Scholarship – Eligibility for Felons
To be eligible for Daniels Fund Scholarship, the applicant must be a U.S citizen or permanent resident, graduating high school seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA and minimum SAT/ACT scores, and demonstrate financial need . Felons can apply for the scholarship as there is no explicit rule disqualifying applicants solely because of a felony conviction.
How to Apply for the Daniels Fund Scholarship?
To apply visit the official Daniels Fund Scholarship application, it generally opens in mid-September and you are required to submit all your documents before the October deadline (Oct. 17–18). Once you are selected, you will receive financial awards that can be used to cover tuition, room and board, books, and other educational costs. For general enquiries call on (877) 791-4726
Boettcher Foundation Scholarships
The Boettcher Scholarship is a merit-based undergraduate scholarship that is offered by the Boettcher Foundation to support the high school seniors having good academic records, leadership and character, graduating from Colorado high school to pursue bachelor’s degree. The funding is offered to cover full cost of attendance up to $80,000 over four years and also provide networking support to the applicant.
Eligibility For Boettcher Foundation Scholarships
To be eligible for Boettcher Foundation Scholarships, applicants must be graduating Colorado high school seniors who have lived in Colorado for their full junior and senior years of high school, and must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or lawfully present (including DACA). Individuals with felony convictions are not automatically disqualified, they can apply if they meet the general eligibility criteria.
How to Apply for Boettcher Foundation Scholarships?
To apply for Boettcher Foundation Scholarships, submit the Boettcher Scholarship application, the portal opens in September and closes by November 1. Complete the online application where you need to provide information about academic history, leadership and service activities, personal essays and go through an interview for selection. For general queries use the contact us form.
Colorado Second Chance Scholarship
The Colorado Second Chance Scholarship Program is a state-level financial aid initiative designed to help individuals who were previously incarcerated and want to pursue higher education after release in Colorado. The program mainly serves those students who have been released from a Division of Youth Services (DYS) commitment facility within the last five years. The scholarship offers $5,000 per year to cover for tuition, fees and other college costs at approved postsecondary institutions in Colorado.
Eligibility for Colorado Second Chance Scholarship for Felons
To qualify for the Colorado Second Chance Scholarship, applicants must be Colorado residents, must demonstrate financial need, and planning to pursue a professional certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree at approved postsecondary institutions in Colorado. This scholarship is mainly for justice-involved youth rather than older adults who are released from prison.
How to Apply for Colorado Second Chance Scholarship?
To apply for the Colorado Second Chance Scholarship, you need to visit the COSI application portal and submit your application that includes documents like proof of residency, documentation of release from a DYS facility, and financial information demonstrating need. The application portal opens on January 1 and closes on December 31. For general queries related to the scholarship call on 303-862-3001
Employment Grants For Felons in Colorado
Programs like ReHire Colorado, Colorado Pathway Home Program and RUN offers help to felons in Colorado with job training and employment.
ReHire Colorado
ReHire Colorado is a state-supported transitional employment and workforce re-entry program offering job training for felons in Colorado. The services offered by ReHire Colorado include job training, job skills development, and other supportive services to improve the chances of getting employed. They work in collaboration with organizations like Goodwill and Catholic Charities offering temporary work to participants to build experience, earn wages and also connect with employers who might hire them permanently.
ReHire Colorado – Eligibility for Felons
To be eligible for ReHire Colorado, applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S., a Colorado resident, at least 18 years old, and currently unemployed or underemployed. Also need to demonstrate active job search and household income must be below 150 % of the federal poverty level.
How to Apply and Participate in Re-Hire Colorado?
To participate in Re-Hire Colorado applicants need to contact a local service provider or workforce center like Goodwill of Colorado or Catholic Charities. You need to go through an initial assessment with a case manager. If you are eligible, you will start to receive case management, job coaching, resume assistance, and help connecting with permanent job opportunities. For general queries call on 303 866 5700
Colorado Pathway Home Program
The Colorado Pathway Home program is a workforce reentry program in Colorado that is designed for individuals currently incarcerated in Colorado state preparing them to secure employment after release. The program operates through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) and works in partnership with other local workforce centers to offer their services.
Eligibility For Colorado Pathway Home for Felons
To be eligible for Colorado Pathway Home for Felons, individuals who are currently incarcerated Colorado state and are planning to relocate to the Denver metropolitan area or El Paso/Teller County areas upon release. Remember, there is no blanket exclusion based on criminal history.
How to Get Access for the Colorado Pathway Home program?
To get access for the Colorado Pathway Home program, you need to contact your local workforce centers that work in collaboration with the CDLE workforce navigator model. A case manager will assess your needs and tailor a plan for the eligible participants. For general queries related to the program call on 303-318-8000
RUN (Reskilling, Upskilling, and Next-skilling) Workers Grant
The RUN Workers Grant (standing for Reskilling, Upskilling, and Next-skilling) is a Colorado workforce funding initiative created under House Bill 21-1264 to offer support to the unemployed and underemployed workers in Colorado so they can get access to better jobs. The grant helps to reskilling the workers as per required of Colorado’s labor market.
Eligibility For RUN Workers Grant
To be eligible for RUN (Reskilling, Upskilling, and Next-skilling) Workers Grant, you must be a Colorado resident, unemployed or underemployed, legally eligible to work in the U.S and enrolled through a participating workforce center, nonprofit, or training provide.
How To Apply for the RUN Workers Grant in Colorado?
The RUN workers grant is not offered directly to individuals, to apply for these grants you need to find an organization that receives funding from the RUN Workers Grant. Complete the form to have someone from your local workforce center contact you about short-term credentials at no cost to you.
National Programs That Are Available For Felons in Colorado
There are federal programs for felons in Colorado like the Federal Pell Grant, The Federal Bonding Program, SNAP, Colorado Works, SSDI and Medicaid.
Federal Pell Grant (Second Chance Pell)
The Federal Pell Grant offers help to the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals in Colorado so that they can access college education. The grant amount can be used to cover tuition, fees, and learning materials for approved certificate and degree programs offered through participating colleges. To apply for the Federal Pell Grant, you need to complete the FAFSA application. However, if you are currently incarcerated, you can apply for the Second Chance Pell program to get access to the Federal Pell Grant. To learn more visit the official page of Federal Pell Grant. If you have any further queries call on 303-318-8000
The Federal Bonding Program
The Federal Bonding Program is a U.S. Department of Labor initiative that helps people with criminal records so that they can overcome barriers to employment. The bonds are mainly offered to the employers for free, where it covers against losses from employee theft for the first six months of employment. The Federal Bonding Program makes it easier for the employers to hire individuals with felony convictions. To apply for a job find a Colorado workforce center using the locator. For any queries related to the program call on 303-318-8000.
SNAP – Food Assistance in Colorado
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) commonly referred to as food assistance in Colorado offers monthly food-buying benefits to low-income Coloradans. Individuals with felony convictions can also apply for SNAP as they are not automatically banned. To apply for SNAP in Colorado, you need to contact your local county human services office using the locator. To learn more about SNAP in Colorado visit the official website of Colorado Department of Human Services.
Colorado Works
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in Colorado is called “Colorado Works” offering monthly cash assistance, work support, job training, and family services to eligible individuals, including felons. To be eligible for Colorado Works, individuals who are pregnant or have a dependent child under 18 years old, must live in Colorado and family income is less than $75,000 a year. To apply for Colorado Works, you need to submit an application through Colorado PEAK, using the MYCOBenefits app (available in both Playstore and IOS). You can also visit your local county human services office in-person and submit your application. For general queries about the program call on 303-866-5700
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) offers monthly income to people who can’t work due to a long-term disability and have already paid enough into Social Security through prior employment. Having a felony conviction does not automatically disqualify you from applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in Colorado. Remember, if you are incarcerated for more than 30 days and if your disability caused during a felony or incarceration, then SSA will not count that condition. If you need help with applying for SSDI, fill up the form. A representative will contact you within 5 business days and offer you guidance.
Medicaid – Health First Colorado
Medicaid is called “Health First Colorado” offering access to health to individuals with felony convictions after release. The coverage Medicaid provides after release are Primary & preventive care, Behavioral and mental health services, and Substance use disorder treatment. However, Medicaid eligibility is suspended during incarceration and can be reactivated after release. To apply for Medicaid visit the official website of Health First Colorado.
Nonprofits That Offer Help To Felons in Colorado
Nonprofit reentry programs in Colorado are available through Second Chance Center, Time to Breakthrough, The Reentry Initiative (TRI), Last Prisoner Project and The Rock Found.
Second Chance Center
Second Chance Center, Inc. also known as the Second Chance Center is a non-profit organization that operates in Colorado offering community support for felons in Colorado. The services that are offered include education, case management and mentoring. To learn more about the eligibility and application for the program visit the official SCC website
Time to Breakthrough
Time to Breakthrough also popularly known as Breakthrough runs reentry and transformation program in Colorado specially for the individuals with felony convictions inside prison and after release. Additionally they run a 32-week Challenge inside correctional facilities to improve help with job readiness, character development, and career planning skills. To learn more about their program visit the official website of Time to Breakthrough. To know about application and eligibility call on 720-722-6465 or email them at [email protected]
The Reentry Initiative (TRI)
The Reentry Initiative (TRI) is a Colorado-based nonprofit that offers help to the justice-involved adults including individuals with felony convictions. They offer reentry services before and after release to make individuals stable and lead a crime-free lives. The services that are offered include clinical case management, help obtaining legal documents, access to employment and housing services, life skills training, and referrals to community programs. To learn more about the program visit https://www.reentryinitiative.org/
Last Prisoner Project
The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) is a Denver-based national nonprofit that is highly focused to help out the individuals who are impacted by cannabis-related convictions in Colorado. The main mission of the project includes advocating for release, clearing records, and supporting reentry services for individuals who are still incarcerated because of cannabis offense though it is now legal in many states. To learn more visit the official website of Last Prisoner Project.
The Rock Found
The Rock Found is a faith-based nonprofit reentry organization in Greeley, Colorado offering help to formerly incarcerated individuals by offering them transitional housing, employment assistance, mentorship, case management and other basic needs to easily reintegrate into society. To learn more about the eligibility, available programs and application visit the official website of The Rock Found.
Bottom Line
Rebuilding life after incarceration isn’t easy but in Colorado, you do not have to worry as help for felons after release in Colorado are available through job-ready programs like WAGEES and ReHire Colorado, support with housing through C-SCHARP, and education funding such as the Colorado Student Grant and Second Chance Pell. It is important that you take one step at a time, talk to your parole officer, connect with a local workforce center, or reach out to a trusted nonprofit to get help with application. Remember your past does not define your future, with right guidance you can get access to reentry programs and grants in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Are there grants for Felons in Colorado after release?
Yes, grants for felons in Colorado after release are available through state-funded and federally supported reentry programs like WAGEES, C-SCHARP, ReHire Colorado and education grants from the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
Can felons get jobs in Colorado through government programs?
Yes, government programs like WAGEES, ReHire Colorado, and Colorado Pathway Home help felons to get jobs in Colorado through training, paid work experience, and connections to employers for felons in Colorado.
Is housing assistance available for felons in Colorado?
C-SCHARP and nonprofit reentry organizations offer transitional and supportive housing to the eligible felons in Colorado.
Can felons in Colorado get college grants or scholarships?
Yes, felons in Colorado get college grants or scholarships through programs like Colorado Student Grant, EmpowerEd Grant and Second Chance Pell. Remember, a felony conviction does not automatically disqualify an individual.
Do felons qualify for SNAP, Medicaid, or cash assistance in Colorado?
Yes, Felons can qualify for SNAP, Medicaid, or cash assistance in Colorado if they meet income, residency, and household eligibility rules. Medicaid benefits can only be accessed after release.
Does having a felony permanently block access to government benefits?
No, in Colorado most government programs are open to Felons after release. However, felons need to meet the basic eligibility criteria of the program just like others.
How soon after release can felons apply for grants in Colorado?
You can apply for grants in Colorado immediately after release, and some grants you can even apply before leaving prison like ReHire Colorado.
How can felons get emergency help in Colorado?
Felons in Colorado can simply visit 211 Colorado or call 2-1-1 to get emergency help with housing, food and other basic needs.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Program availability, eligibility criteria, benefits, and application processes may change over time and it is recommended to verify details directly with official government agencies, program administrators, or authorized organizations before applying.
