1. Caregiver burnout by the numbers
Coloradans logged 373 million hours of unpaid care last year. A state survey found 4 in 10 caregivers show clinically significant stress, yet only 11 % ever tap respite funding. Awareness—not money—is the choke‑point.
2. Top grant programs (2024‑25 cycle)
Colorado Respite Coalition Family Voucher
- $1,000 / household
- Any unpaid family caregiver (all ages)
- Reimbursement or direct pay to agency
- 90‑day spend window
DRCOG Caregiver Services Respite
- 48 hrs / quarter of in‑home help
- Caregivers of adults 60+ in 8 Front‑Range counties
- Approved agency invoices DRCOG directly
State Capacity Grants (via agencies)
- Varies
- Non‑profits delivering respite
- Grants lower the agency’s hourly rate— savings passed to families
3. Application checklist 📋
- Proof of Colorado residency (driver’s license).
- Doctor’s note confirming care recipient’s diagnosis or frailty.
- Simple budget plan: “10 hrs/month, Fridays 1‑3 pm for grocery + self‑care.”
- Signed W‑9 (only for direct‑pay vouchers).
TIP: Specific plans get funded first; avoid “as needed” language.
4. Layer your funding sources 🔀
- Start with the CRC voucher – it approves fastest.
- Add DRCOG hours when your name reaches the wait‑list top (they don’t conflict).
- Top‑up with private PCW hours during crunch weeks: surgeries, business travel, school breaks.
5. Free Caregiver Wellness Toolkit 🧘♀️
Download the CRC Caregiver Wellness Toolkit—stress‑tracking worksheets, guided breathing audio, and a 30‑day self‑care calendar.
6. Success‑story spotlight 💬
“We stacked the CRC voucher with DRCOG hours and covered 80 % of Dad’s respite needs for six months—zero out‑of‑pocket.”
— Carla B., Lakewood
Ready to claim your break?
Book a free 15‑minute call and we’ll:
- Confirm which grants you qualify for.
- Prep the paperwork.
- Reserve a respite‑ready caregiver—often in 48 hrs.