Colorado Department of Human Services

What Colorado Department of Human Services does

Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) is a state government agency headquartered in Denver, Colorado, that administers federally-mandated and state-funded human services programs for Colorado residents. The department operates under a state-supervised, county-administered model in which 64 county human services departments and 2 tribal nations (Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute) deliver direct services, while CDHS sets policy, allocates funding, and operates select state facilities. CDHS administers programs across food assistance (SNAP, Summer EBT, SNAP Produce Bonus, Healthy Choice Waiver), cash assistance (Colorado Works/TANF), energy assistance (LEAP), child welfare, adult protective services, mental health, disability services, older adult services, and veterans care.

CDHS maintains a digital infrastructure that includes the Colorado PEAK online benefits portal, the Colorado EBT card system for distributing SNAP and other benefits, the CAPS Check background check system, the statewide 24/7 Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (844-CO-4-KIDS, operational since January 1, 2015), and WCAG 2.1 AA-compliant digital platforms. The department directly operates two mental health hospitals (Fort Logan, Pueblo), three regional centers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Grand Junction, Pueblo, Wheat Ridge), five Veterans Community Living Centers (Fitzsimons, Florence, Homelake, Rifle, Walsenburg), and 12+ residential youth services centers statewide. Performance management is conducted through the C-Stat real-time data analytics system.

As a state government agency, CDHS is funded through Colorado legislative appropriations and federal grants (primarily USDA and HHS) rather than commercial revenue. Services including SNAP, TANF, LEAP, and child welfare are provided at no cost to eligible beneficiaries. The department distributes approximately $120 million in SNAP benefits annually to roughly 600,000 Colorado residents and employs 5,001–10,000 people. The organization reports no traditional revenue, no funding rounds, no parent company, and no M&A activity.

Name

Colorado Department of Human Services

Legal name

Colorado Department of Human Services

Website

https://cdhs.colorado.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Colorado Department of Human Services is a state government agency headquartered in Denver that administers food assistance, cash aid, child welfare, mental health, disability, and veterans programs for Colorado residents through a state-supervised, county-administered delivery network across 64 counties and 2 tribal nations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Human Services Administration

NAICS

Administration of Human Resource Programs (9231), Administration of Public Health Programs (923120), Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals (622210), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Administration of Veterans' Affairs (923140), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

Keywords

• Human services administration
• Social welfare programs
• Food assistance programs
• Child welfare services
• Disability support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices22 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State Government Funding: Colorado Department of Human Services operates as a state government agency funded primarily through state appropriations, federal grants, and matching funds. Services are administered through a state-supervised, county-administered system where counties receive state and federal funding to deliver direct services.
2. Federal Benefits Administration: CDHS administers federal benefit programs including SNAP ($120 million distributed to approximately 600,000 recipients in 2025), TANF, LEAP, and Summer EBT. These funds flow from federal agencies (USDA, HHS) through state to county administration.

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) is a state government agency that administers a portfolio of health and human services programs for Colorado residents. Its core offerings include food assistance (SNAP), healthcare coverage (Health First Colorado and CHP+), child welfare and foster care, services for people with disabilities and behavioral health needs, aging and adult protective services, and refugee resettlement support. CDHS delivers these programs either directly or in partnership with county departments and community organizations across all 64 Colorado counties.

Product overview

Colorado Department of Human Services operates a comprehensive portfolio of human services programs administered at the state level with county delivery. The department offers multiple distinct assistance programs including food assistance (SNAP, Summer EBT, SNAP Produce Bonus), cash assistance (Colorado Works/TANF), and energy assistance (LEAP). Social services include Child Welfare (adoption, foster care), Adult Protective Services, and Domestic Violence Program. The Division of Youth Services operates over a dozen residential youth centers across the state. Healthcare services include Mental Health Services (hospitals in Fort Logan and Pueblo), Disability Services (Regional Centers, MINDSOURCE Brain Injury Network), and Older Adult Services (Veterans Community Living Centers, State Unit on Aging). Employment assistance programs include Colorado Employment First, CW STEP, and ReHire Colorado. The department also operates the statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (844-CO-4-KIDS) and the Tony Grampsas Youth Services grant program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Assistance (SNAP) Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) providing food purchasing benefits to eligible low-income Colorado households, delivered via EBT cards and administered through CDHS in partnership with counties.
• Food Distribution Program State-administered food distribution program that provides food to eligible Colorado residents through partner organizations.
• Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) Colorado's Medicaid program providing health coverage to eligible low-income Colorado residents, administered through CDHS.
• Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) Colorado's Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) public health insurance program for children and pregnant women who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.
• Child Welfare and Foster Care Services Services for at-risk children including child abuse and neglect prevention, reporting and response (via the Family Support Line), foster care placement, and adoption support.
• Disability Services Support services for Coloradans with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, including case management and community-based services.
• Behavioral Health Services Mental health and substance use disorder services and programs for Colorado residents, administered by CDHS's Office of Behavioral Health.
• Aging and Adult Protective Services Services for older adults and vulnerable adults, including protective services against abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Refugee Services Support and resettlement services for refugees arriving in Colorado, including case management and integration assistance.
• PEAK Online Benefits Portal Online portal where Colorado residents can apply for and manage benefits such as SNAP, cash assistance, and medical assistance programs.
• Statewide 24/7 Hotline and Family Support Line Statewide 24/7 hotline and Family Support Line (1-844-264-5437) providing Coloradans with access to information, services, and reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect.
• EatWell Restaurant Innovation Grant COVID-19 pandemic-era grant program that supported restaurants in providing meals to Coloradans in need.

Quantifiable outcome

• SNAP application processing timeliness improved from 88% to target 95%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 64 Colorado County Human Services DepartmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado operates under a state-supervised, county-administered system where 64 county departments deliver direct human services including benefits enrollment, child welfare, and adult protective services. Counties receive state and federal funding to administer programs.
• Southern Ute Indian TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal nation with dedicated social services office located in Ignacio, CO, serving tribal members and families.
• Ute Mountain Ute TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal nation with dedicated social services office located in Towaoc, CO, serving tribal members and families.
• Brighton School District 27JcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district providing on-site licensed teachers at Prairie Vista Youth Services Center. Youth attend school year-round and earn school credits during their stay. Core classes include language arts, science, social studies, math, and physical education.
• Weld County District 6coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district providing licensed teaching staff for Platte Valley Youth Services Center's comprehensive school. Youth can earn credits toward a diploma or GED, with some post-secondary offerings through Aims Community College.
• Mesa County District 51coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district providing on-site educators for Grand Mesa Youth Services Center. Educators provide assessment, grade-level appropriate instruction, and vocational education including culinary, construction trades, and custodial services.
• Cherry Creek School District 5coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district providing licensed teaching staff for detained youth at Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center. Youth can earn credits for high school diploma or obtain GED certificate.
• Sanctuary InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing Sanctuary Model certification to youth services facilities, focusing on trauma-informed care and creating safe, healing environments. Several CDHS youth centers are Sanctuary Institute certified.
• Colorado Child Welfare Training SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining system that certifies hotline call-takers annually. The Hotline County Connection Center staff are certified through this system to ensure proper handling of child abuse and neglect reports.
• Colorado Crisis ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide free, confidential mental health crisis service providing walk-in centers, phone hotline (1-844-493-8255), and text support ('TALK' to 38255) for mental health, substance use, or emotional concerns.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance: Massachusetts' state agency administering SNAP, TANF, and emergency benefits with comparable benefits administration focus and state-supervised delivery model.
• Florida Department of Children and Families: Florida's state agency administering SNAP, TANF, child welfare, behavioral health, and refugee services with comparable program scope and statewide facility network including juvenile justice facilities.
• Illinois Department of Human Services: Illinois state human services agency with comprehensive mandate covering SNAP, TANF, child care, behavioral health, rehabilitation services, and developmental disability programs - directly comparable to CDHS scope.
• Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Pennsylvania's state human services agency administering SNAP, TANF, child welfare, mental health, intellectual disability services, and aging programs - a comprehensive portfolio directly comparable to CDHS.
• New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance: New York's state agency administering SNAP, TANF, emergency assistance, and disability programs - comparable benefits administration focus and statewide delivery infrastructure.
• California Department of Social Services: California's state human services agency administering SNAP, TANF, child welfare, and disability services through a similar state-supervised, county-administered model. Operates at comparable scale with a multi-billion dollar budget and similar program portfolio.
• Arizona Department of Economic Security: Arizona's state agency administering SNAP, TANF, child care, developmental disabilities, and employment services with similar program portfolio and regional center model for IDD services.
• Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: Ohio's state agency administering SNAP, TANF, child welfare, unemployment, and workforce services with comparable county-administered delivery model and workforce development programs.
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission: Texas state agency administering Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, child welfare, and behavioral health services. Has a comprehensive human services mandate directly comparable to CDHS in scope and beneficiary scale.
• Washington State Department of Social and Health Services: Washington's combined health and human services agency administering SNAP, TANF, child welfare, behavioral health, aging services, and developmental disability programs with similar integrated service model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CO_CDHS
• Facebookfacebook.com/CoCDHS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/co_cdhs

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries24 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colorado Department of Human Services