What began in 2006 as Canyon Cares has grown to reach far beyond the Coal Creek Canyon area. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit today, Canyon Cares serves families and individuals in Jefferson, Gilpin, and Boulder counties with emergency assistance funding for rent, utilities, and even car care in times of need. Lorraine Revelle began the organization to give back to the community, and remains an emeritus board member. President Karen Siefert of the Canyon Cares Board is also part of the Nederland Food Pantry Board of Directors, and speaks highly of what she and the six other active members work to accomplish for area residents faced with financial difficulties.

“In 2014, after the 2013 flood, Canyon Care expanded its service area to include unincorporated Gilpin, up to western Boulder County including Nederland. [In] 2020 during COVID, we extended our service area all the way up to Ward, and previously we hadn’t included the towns of Central City and Black Hawk, so we included those also. So at this point, we cover all of Gilpin County, Western Boulder County, and JeffCo that’s in and out of Coal Creek Canyon, Golden Gate Canyon, and a few other locations there,” said Siefert, who joined Canyon Cares in 2014.

The organization can help with rent payments, mortgage payments, property taxes, car repairs, snow tires, vehicle registration and insurance costs, and utility bills. Car repairs are actually about 60% of what the organization paid out in 2021. That year, Canyon Cares distributed $108,000 to those in need. The amount was more than $79,000 in 2020, which was up from $35,000 in 2019.

“We had a big jump due to COVID,” she said.

By area, the distribution breaks down to 50-60% for the western Boulder County area, which is more highly populated. In 2021, the organization contributed $48,000 in Boulder, $36,000 in Gilpin, and $24,000 in Jefferson.

Canyon Cares changed its holiday program for the better from a food drive to a holiday gift card giveaway due to the constraints of COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021.

“We now get grocery store gift cards and distribute those in a small, decorative bag with a few small items. The way we determine who gets a holiday bag is that we call all those we’ve helped during the year and asked them if they’d like to participate,” Siefert said. “It worked out so well for us that even post-COVID, we’re going to continue that program. I think people prefer it because it gives them a lot more of a choice [in] what they can buy. This year, we’re going to do a donation drive specifically geared toward funding those gift cards.”

Primarily, the organization is funded from smaller donations from many area residents, or public donations. State and county grants have also been applied for and received in recent years. Private donations from companies and organizations make up the rest of funding for Canyon Cares. Anyone can contribute to the cause online via their website or by getting in touch with Canyon Cares.

“I think everyone on the board was looking for a way to volunteer, or be involved with a volunteer organization, but also to feel like their time was being well spent,” said Siefert, speaking of why each member wants to be a part of Canyon Cares. “There is so much need here that maybe isn’t seen quite as much these days, but it’s definitely here.“

Personal interaction with those in need, and working directly with them, is another part of what appeals to those who contribute to the mission of the organization. When aid is distributed, it doesn’t go directly to the person, but rather to a vendor, like a landlord or mechanic who puts the snow tires on.

“Because we are just short-term assistance, we often refer people to other agencies, and those agencies refer people to us,” Siefert explained. In the past the organization has worked with the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, the Emergency Family Assistance Association, the Gilpin County Department of Human Services, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program, the Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance program, the Nederland Food Pantry and other social services. Canyon Cares also partners with the United Power Roundup Foundation for a quarterly grant program to help those in need.

“Our application process is pretty simple compared to some of the other social services organizations. It’s pretty much a 10-minute phone interview assessing needs, and then the application is written up. Then, we put it on Slack so all board members can vote on it,” she said, describing the process. “If it’s approved, we can immediately make arrangements to make payments.”

Aid is available to area residents by calling 720-515-1129, or by visiting www.canyoncares.org. The volunteer board members address each individually, on a case-by-case basis.