DENVER – Thousands of federal employees aren’t getting paid this Friday as the partial government shutdown continues, but some Colorado businesses are offering their help as workers who live paycheck to paycheck look for ways to make ends meet.
The following businesses across the state are either offering free meals, waiving late fees or connecting furloughed employees to other resources such as health care, childcare, mental health resources and much more.
360 Degrees of Perfection
The Arvada-based full service auto repair and collision shop is offering free tire repairs, free brake inspections, and deductible forgiveness between $250 - $500 of any insurance claim as well as a payment plan for higher deductibles or mechanical work needed to federal employees affected by the shutdown. Must show appropriate identification. Contact Avery Schaefer or Drew Brown at (303) 422-0406 or contact@360degreesofperfection.com
Alpine Bank
Colorado-based Alpine Bank has set aside $5 million to loan to federal employees affected by the shutdown. Workers who take advantage of these loans won’t have to pay back until six months after the shutdown is over.
Affinity Wellness & Massage
You can get a 30-minute appointment for $20 and an hour appointment for $40 so long as you are able to present a valid federal ID badge. Call (970) 586-3401 to make an appointment.
Antonio's Real New York Pizza
Employees at Antonio's Real New York Pizza donated a $500 to a gift card that will provide food for those in need. Customers can add to that gift card and the business will keep it going until the funds run out or the needs diminish. Federal employees wanting to take advantage of this opportunity should ask for a "Help From Friends" order. If you'd like to donate, call (970) 586-7275 and say you want to contribute to the the "Help From Friends" fund.
AT&T
Consumers who pay their bill on att.com are being offered payment extensions on their bills and the company is also waiving late fees. If you want to make payment arrangements, click here.
B-cycle
Starting Friday, January 11, federal workesr may scan their federal ID and email Denver B-cycle to request a code to ride the B-cycles around town for free. People can also email B-cycle at info@denverbcycle.orgto get their code.
Canvas Credit Union
Canvas Credit Union is offering 0 percent interest loans, called the Helping Hand Loans, to employees affected by the government shutdown. Ask for it when you call.
Café Miriam
Café Miriam at City Park is offering free coffee and crepes for furloughed federal employees until the shutdown ends.
Castle Rock Imports
Castle Rock Imports is offering discounts on auto care for federal employees affected by the government shutdown.
City of Boulder
The City of Boulder is offering free daily admission to Boulder rec centers and transit passes to people with federal IDs for the duration of the shutdown.
City of Denver
A new Temporary Mortgage Assistance program will offer financial assistance to homeowners who are facing hardship due to unexpected changes in their employment status – including furlough, temporary layoff or significant reduction of hours worked. The program, being offered through a partnership with Mile High United Way’s 2-1-1 Call Center, will provide households up to two months or $5,000 maximum of help to cover mortgage payments. The Program will be begin accepting applications this Wednesday, January 16 through Mile High United Way’s 2-1-1 Call Center.
Colorado Credit Union
For current and new members who are federal employees affected by the shutdown, Colorado Credit Union is offering a 90-day no-interest, no-payment loan equivalent to two months' net pay. For current members, the credit union is also offering payment modifications on existing loans to help ease the burden of monthly payments.
Colorado Pet Pantry
The Colorado Pet Pantry is also offering services for furloughed workers with pets. Here is their site with a link to their calendar on what days they will be offering help.
Comedy Works Downtown
Comedy Works welcomes all government employees, plus a spouse or significant other, to come and see a show ON US! We know times are hard and want to help take your mind off your troubles, even if only for a few hours. This offer is valid for two tickets and we will waive your two-item minimum in the showroom.
Credit Union of Colorado
Members of Credit Union of Colorado, who are federal employees impacted by the shutdown, are receiving a three-month financial lifeline. The program allows for up to three skipped monthly payments on each of a member’s Credit Union of Colorado loans, providing breathing room for payments of auto loan payments, lines of credit, personal unsecured loans, recreational vehicles and other secured loans.
Credit Union of Denver
The Credit Union of Denver is offering payment deferrals and interest-free loans for furloughed employees affected by the government shutdown. Bring a valid federal ID badge in order to receive these benefits.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV customers can go here for instructions on how to take advantage of flexible payment options.
El Dorado
The Mexican restaurant, located at 720 Arapahoe Street in Golden, is offering a complimentary burrito and soft drink once you show your federal ID.
Elevations Credit Union
Elevations Credit Union is offering "skip-a-pay" on loans for customers in good standing. Interest-free personal loans equal to a furloughed worker's monthly pay are also available.
Emily's Salon & Barbershop
Emily's Salon & Barbershop in Denver will be offering free haircuts to all furloughed federal employees during the government shutdown.
Fazoli’s
Fazoli’s is offering free baked Spaghetti with the purchase of a drink. Offer is good from January 7 through the end of the shutdown.
Floyd's 99 Barbershop
Over 100 Floyd's 99 Barbershops across the nation, including all locations in Colorado, are providing half-priced haircuts and complimentary massage shampoos to furloughed workers during the government shutdown. To redeem the offers, government employees must present a valid federal government ID.
Food Bank of the Rockies
Food Bank of the Rockies is helping people affected by the shutdown. Officials said they’re making sure they have extra food on their mobile pantries and are planning to extend their distribution on Saturday.
“We want to make sure people know food is available if they need it,” said a spokesperson.
Impeach Vodka
Golden's Impeach Vodka is offering furloughed employees affected by the shutdown a free shot to make them forget about their troubles when they visit the distillery.
Jewish Family Service Weinberg Food Pantry
As long as shutdown is happening, Jewish Family Service Weinberg Food Pantry is waving normal income requirements for government employees impacted by furlough. JFS is also accepting food donations weekdays during office hours, usually 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fridays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.. The food bank is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and some Thursday evenings. A variety of fresh produce and non perishable food is available.
Karate Don Kan
Karate Do Kan in Lakewood would like to offer furloughed workers and their immediate family members: One month free membership, one month unlimited classes and a free uniform for the karate classes. Just bring in valid federal government employee ID to redeem offer. For more information call 720-710-8708 or go to www.karatedokan.com.
Keller Bros. Auto Repair
The Littleton-based auto repair shop is offering free tire repairs, free brake inspections, and half off an oil change to federal employees affected by the shutdown.
Kind Coffee
Furloughed government employees of Rocky Mountain National Park and the U.S. Forest Service can come in and get a free coffee drink at Kind Coffee.
Lucha Cantina
Lucha Cantina in Littleton and Georgetown will serve any adult with a federal ID, and their children, complimentary meals from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day until the government re-opens.
Metrum Community Credit Union
This credit union is offering interest-free personal loans equal to a federal worker's monthly pay during the government shutdown.
Mile High United Way
The Mile High United Way 211 Help Center is committed to helping individuals and families impacted by the federal government shutdown, as well as any individual or family who needs to get connected to resources. Furloughed federal employees and government contractors in need of resources can call 211 and get connected to resources. Also, it is important to note that 211 is a statewide program, so all Coloradans can call 211 and get connected to resources. Our 211 call center specialists can help connect people to health care services, food pantries, mental health resources, childcare, and utility and eviction prevention assistance, and more.
Mod Market
Present your federal ID badge and get a complimentary grain bowl. The offer is good from Saturday, January 12 through Monday, January 14.
Oblio’s
Two sisters and their mom own Oblio’s. They’re giving complimentary dinners to government employees impacted by the shutdown. Speaking to Denver7, they said they “feel badly for employees and it’s the least they can do.” Offer is good until the government reopens.
Papa John's Pizza
The pizza chain is offering two one-topping pizzas and a two-liter soda for free for those furloughed employees affected by the shutdown.
Premier Members Credit Union
PMC is assisting existing and potential new members by offering a fixed rate loan with no payments for 90 days and a term up to 24 months to any federal employee affected by the shutdown.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter is giving free food to furloughed employees
Starting January 11, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) will offer food and resources to federal employees and constituents who are affected by the partial government shutdown. Breakfast and lunch meals will be offered Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. until the partial government shutdown ends. The meals are being offered at 12600 W. Colfax Ave., B-400 in Lakewood, Colo.
Rocky Mountain Health Club
Any furloughed federal worker is free to come and take any of Rocky Mountain Health Club classes for free. Just make sure to bring documentation that proves you're a furloughed employee and a sign waiver to take advantage of this deal.
Romano's Macaroni Grill
The restaurant, which has two branches in Greenwood Village and Westminster, is offering a complimentary Mom's Ricotta Meatballs and Spaghetti plate between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for those federal employees affected by the shutdown.
Sheraton Denver Tech Center
Sheraton Denver Tech Center is offering free pizza or salad to fed workers at the hotel for lunch and dinner until the end of January or the shutdown. Contact GM Erik Pederson 303 799 6200.
The Crafty Fox Taphouse & Pizzeria
Between now and the end of the day Wednesday, Jan. 16, The Crafty Fox Taphouse & Pizzeria will give a free meal to those furloughed federal workers who show their employment ID.
Walnut Café
This Boulder coffee shop is offering free breakfast to furloughed employees during the duration of the government shutdown.
Yoga High
Yoga High Denver is offering free yoga for furloughed employees. To schedule a class, go to www.yogahighdenver.com/schedule or call (720) 446-6324.
Please note: You must present a valid federal ID badge to take advantage of these offers.
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