Braving the Cold Together, Offering Shelter and Support Amid Harsh Winter Days

Braving Cold Colorado Weather Together

"It’s hard to put into words how relieved I am to be here," whispered a young mother who is staying on the family floor at Samaritan House with her children. “When it gets this cold, I don’t have to worry about my kids being outside. They’re safe and we’re safe."

When subzero temperatures descend on Colorado, neighbors without warm homes turn to Catholic Charities Samaritan House locations across Denver, Fort Collins and Greeley.

For most of us, the cold weather makes us hesitate before stepping outside, forcing us to bundle up in layers. But for our unhoused neighbors, nights like these can be dangerous, even life-threatening.

Inside Samaritan House, though, cold weather like this is an opportunity for people who come through our doors to be met with warmth.

“During cold snaps, we make sure that everyone’s basic needs are covered. From eating a hot meal to receiving basic cold weather gear like boots and coats, we want to help our neighbors weather the storm,” said Mary Larson, Director of Warehousing and Food Services. “Clothing, non-perishable and monetary donations help us fill in the gaps when the cold weather drains our supplies and allows us to make sure no one is left out in the cold.”

At Samaritan House, we provide more than just shelter for families, veterans and single women across Northern Colorado —we serve three hot meals a day, totaling around 300,000 meals a year and provide case management to help them move into the next chapter of their lives. Thanks to generous donors, Samaritan House is a place where warmth is felt in the care and dignity that is extended from our staff and volunteers to every person who walks through our doors, year-round.

As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Denver, Catholic Charities provides life-changing support to Coloradans at 76 locations as they work to improve their lives.

The list of what Catholic Charities does is remarkably diverse: Samaritan House, Marisol Services, Catholic Charities Housing, Early Childhood Education, Immigration, St. Raphael Counseling, Emergency and Food Assistance ... the list goes on and on. For 98 years, from Greeley to Glenwood Springs, Fort Collins to Fort Morgan, Boulder to Centennial, Catholic Charities has supported neighbors and transformed lives ... and we look forward to serving our community into our second century and beyond.

How You Can Help: Samaritan House relies on your generosity to ensure that everyone has adequate access to shelter, food and cold weather gear during these frigid winter months. Donations of clothing, food and financial support make a critical difference in equipping us to serve many. Your contribution helps fill in the gaps when supplies run low.

Visit ccdenver.org/donate for more information.