Larimer County CO Emergency Rental Assistance Program Guide

Last updated: June 26, 2026

About the Larimer County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The Larimer County ERAP was a federally funded initiative that helped households impacted by COVID-19 pay back rent, current rent, and utility bills — keeping families in their homes and preventing eviction. The program was administered in partnership with Neighbor to Neighbor, a Fort Collins-based nonprofit. Residents could apply online or by calling Neighbor to Neighbor at 970-829-0296. For context on how ERAP programs work at the federal level, funding flowed through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act.

The county’s earlier 2020 Property Owners Program (POP) — which allowed landlords to apply directly — is no longer available. Landlords were directed to use ERAP instead to assist their tenants with rent. The program is not a loan and does not require repayment. Assistance funds came directly from the federal government and were designed solely to help households stay housed during pandemic-related financial hardship.

Who Is Eligible for Larimer County ERAP

Both tenants and landlords could apply. To qualify, the following conditions must be met:

• Larimer County residency — citizenship is not required. All residents, including undocumented households, were eligible to apply.
• COVID-19 financial hardship — the tenant was unable to pay property rent or mobile home lot rent due to the pandemic.
• Income at or below 80% AMI — the household’s monthly income must not exceed 80% of the Larimer County Area Median Income.
• No duplicate assistance — applicants must not have already received rental assistance covering the same months being requested.
• Complete application submitted — the aid application must be fully completed and all required documentation provided.

Tenants could also request utility payment assistance independently. The program explicitly welcomed applications from both property owners and tenants. Other Colorado ERAP programs operated under similar frameworks — renters in neighboring Jefferson County and Adams County faced comparable eligibility requirements and processes.

What Documents Are Required to Apply

The following documents were required for all applicants. Having everything assembled before starting your application significantly reduces processing time:

• Government-issued photo ID for the primary applicant.
• Signed lease agreement — signed by both the renter and landlord, listing the applicant as tenant, the rent amount, and the due date. An alternative written tenancy document is acceptable if no formal lease exists.
• Proof of income including the applicant’s name and residence — required for all household members 18 or older, and for any minors with income (see income documentation options below).
• Utility bills or official correspondence sent to the applicant’s address (required if requesting utility assistance).
• Eviction notice (optional but recommended — it helps prioritize your application).
• Unemployment benefit letter or statement (optional but used to rank and prioritize applications).

Income Documentation — Choose One Option

Only one option is required for each household member 18 or older:

• Option 1 — 2020 tax return: The adjusted gross income, plus the first four pages of the signed return and W-2s. If household members file individually, upload each person’s return and W-2 separately.
• Option 2 — Current month income proof: Pay stubs from the last 30 days; unemployment benefit letter plus 30 days of pay stubs; most recent unemployment benefit amount letter; employer letter certifying gross wages (pay rate, hours per week, pay date); current-year Social Security, disability, retirement, pension, or annuity benefit letter showing the gross benefit amount; income verification form for self-employed applicants; or a gig work income ledger.
• Option 3 — Government program participation: A letter or documentation confirming household eligibility for TANF, Colorado Works, SNAP, or LEAP within the past year. Households in rent-controlled housing may also use income certification issued within the past year. For assistance, call 1-888-480-0066 or email COERAP@state.co.us.

Pro Tip

Including your eviction notice and proof of unemployment benefits — even though both are optional — moves your application to the front of the queue. Applications with these documents were prioritized over otherwise equivalent submissions. If you’re at risk of eviction, don’t leave these out.

How Much Assistance Can I Receive and What Happens Next

Applicants could request past-due rent for any and all months related to their current residence that remained unpaid, up to a maximum of 12 months. In addition, households could request the current month’s rent plus up to two months of future rent if they planned to remain in the unit and still needed support.

Utility assistance was also available — if electric or natural gas bills had gone unpaid since July 2020, approved funds could clear that outstanding balance entirely. The assistance is a grant, not a loan. No repayment is required under any circumstances.

After submitting, a navigator from Neighbor to Neighbor reviews your application and supporting documents to determine eligibility. They may follow up requesting additional information. There is no fixed processing timeline — earlier submissions stood a better chance as the program operated until funds were exhausted. Tenants facing active eviction proceedings should also review alternatives to eviction in Colorado to understand their full range of options.

For residents who still need housing assistance, the statewide Larimer County ERAP page and the Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance Program overview are the best places to check for any currently open funding cycles.