How to Apply for TANF in Colorado
Colorado's TANF program is called Colorado Works, and like California it's county-administered even though the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) sets the statewide rules. Most applicants apply through the Colorado PEAK website or the MyCOBenefits mobile app, both of which also screen for SNAP and Medicaid at the same time. If you get stuck, every county runs its own human or social services office that can walk you through the paper application in person.
This site is an independent, non-government TANF directory and isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any state or federal government agency. Always verify details directly with the official agency before visiting or applying.
Quick Answer
In Colorado, you apply for TANF through Department of Human Services, online or by phone. Colorado regulations require the county department to determine Colorado Works eligibility no more than 45 calendar days from the application date.
What You'll Need
- Proof of Colorado residency
- Proof of citizenship, legal alien, refugee, or permanent resident status
- Household income information (under $75,000/year)
- Information about the child(ren) in your care
- Social Security numbers for household members
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1
Apply online, by app, or on paper
Submit an application through Colorado PEAK (co.gov/peak), the MyCOBenefits app (iOS or Android), or a downloadable paper application in English or Spanish.
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2
Confirm you meet the basic criteria
You must be pregnant or caring for a child under 18, live in Colorado, be a U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant, and have family income under $75,000 a year to be considered.
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3
Contact your county human services office if you need help
County departments handle applications locally, so reach out to your county office directly for application assistance or questions about your case.
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4
Work with a case manager
Once approved, you will work with a Colorado Works case manager to set goals and build your own plan as part of your "Colorado Works Journey."
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5
Receive benefits via EBT or direct deposit
Cash assistance is delivered through the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, either loaded onto an EBT card or deposited directly into your bank account.
Submit Your Application
Need help before your application is processed?
Colorado regulations require the county department to determine Colorado Works eligibility no more than 45 calendar days from the application date. If your family needs money sooner, most states offer a faster, one-time emergency payment.
See emergency & one-time assistance →Compare Other States
TANF rules, income limits, and benefit amounts are set state by state. These share Colorado's census region — useful if you're moving, or comparing how another state runs the same program.
Helpful Guides
TANF Eligibility & Frequently Asked Questions
Income limits, time limits, and work requirements, answered in plain language.
Learn more →How Much Does TANF Pay? Benefit Amounts Explained
How your payment is calculated, a real worked example, and how the amount scales by family size.
Learn more →TANF Income Limits by State
See each state's own income limit and maximum monthly benefit, side by side.
Learn more →How to Use Your TANF EBT Card
How to withdraw cash, avoid ATM fees, and what to do if your card is lost or stolen.
Learn more →TANF Work Requirements Explained
Hours, activities, exemptions, and how strictly states actually enforce this.
Learn more →What Is TANF?
What the program covers, who runs it, and how it varies by state.
Learn more →TANF Kinship Care & Relative Caregiver Benefits
Child-only TANF grants for grandparents and relatives raising a child — and how they differ from a regular case.
Learn more →TANF vs. SNAP: Is TANF the Same as Food Stamps?
How the two programs differ, and whether you can get both.
Learn more →