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Furlough-Friendly Assistance, Freebies, Deals and Businesses

By Christen Reiner, Macaroni Kid Lakewood-Littleton Editor and Publisher January 21, 2019

There's no doubt that these are tough times for many of our Macaroni Kid family members. 

We want to help make life just a bit easier, so we have gathered all of the places in Colorado that are offering assistance to furloughed government workers who have been affected by the shutdown. We will add to the list as more assistance becomes available.

Because these deals are constantly changing, we suggest calling ahead to ensure that the deal you are looking for is still available.

Know of others that we missed? Email MelissaS@MacaroniKid.com OR ChristenR@MacaroniKid.com, and we will add it to the list.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 

Alpine Bank 

  • offering interest-free personal loans equal to a worker's monthly pay 
  • federal employees who are not customers must establish a checking account

Bank of America 

  • offering personalized financial assistance to families Call 844-219-0609

Chase 

  • special care line at 888-356-0023 available to discuss hardship programs available
  • this program is also available for customers who do business with a federal agency affected by the shutdown

Credit Union of Colorado 

  • allowing for up to three skipped monthly payments on each of a member’s Credit Union of Colorado loans, including auto loan payments, lines of credit, personal unsecured loans, recreational vehicles and other secured loans.

Credit Union of Denver

  • 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

Elevations Credit Union 

  • offering "skip-a-pay" on loans for customers in good standing
  • offering interest-free personal loans equal to a worker's monthly pay 

Metrum Credit Union 

  • offering interest-free personal loans equal to a worker's monthly pay

Mile High United Way 

  • furloughed federal employees and government contractors in need of resources can call 211 and get connected to resources
  • 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

Navy Federal Credit Union 

  • offering no-interest loans to those who have direct deposit of federal government pay

Premier Members Credit Union

  • 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

Quicken Loans 

  • waiving all late fees for clients who may miss a mortgage payment due to the shutdown

Sunwest Educational Credit Union 

  • offering payment deferrals and interest-free loans

Temporary Mortgage Assistance Program 

  • provides up to two months or up to $5,000 of mortgage payments call the Mile High United Way’s 211 call center for more info

Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance Program 

  • for renters Furloughed workers can apply

Unemployment benefits 

  • available for federal employees affected by the shutdown

U.S. Bank 

  • offering client assistance programs that may waive late fees or provide loan modifications

Wells Fargo 

  • working with individuals and business banking customers who have been disrupted by the shutdown
  • call 1-800-TO-WELLS or the number on your credit or debit card for assistance

FOOD BANKS & PANTRIES

Action Center

  • provides year-round assistance to residents of Jefferson County or those experiencing homelessness
  • services include food, clothing, rental and utility assistance, as well as other support services that may help maintain stability

Colorado Pet Pantry 

  • offers food and supplies and is always free and open to the public offering services for furloughed workers with pets 
  • Check the calendar HERE for available days

Food Bank of the Rockies

  • stocking extra food in their mobile pantries and they are planning to extend distribution on Saturdays

Have a Heart Project

  • providing food and clothing for government employees not getting paid open Saturday, Jan. 26th from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Jewish Family Service Weinberg Food Pantry

  • waiving normal income requirements for government employees who are currently not being paid

Lakewood Action Center 

  • provides year-round assistance to residents of Jefferson County or those experiencing homelessness.
  • services include food, clothing, rental and utility assistance, as well as other support services that may help maintain stability.
  • offering assistance to furloughed government workers during the shutdown

US Representative Ed Perlmutter

  • offering breakfast and lunch meals, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm for his constituents affected by the shutdown

WIRELESS PROVIDERS OFFERING ASSISTANCE 

AT&T 

  • offering payment extensions on their bills and waiving late fees 

Sprint

  • work with qualified customers to maintain service during the shutdown call 888-211-4727 or visit them online 

TMobile 

  • providing short-term account assistance for furloughed federal workers including payment deferral and flexible payment options. Call 877-746-0909 to learn  options. 

Verizon 

  • offering a "Promise to Pay" program or flexible payment options visit the app or website or call 866-266-1445 for more information

ENTERTAINMENT DEALS

Augustana Arts

  • offering a free ticket to Vida Guitart Quartet concert on Saturday, January 26 at  7:30 p.m.  (Use code FFE2019)

Clyfford Still Museum

  • offering free general admission to all furloughed federal government employees plus one guest

Colorado Railroad Museum 

  • providing free admission to furloughed workers and their immediate families

Colorado Symphony

  • offering two free tickets* to all federal employees impacted by the furlough. Choose from the Mendelssohn Double Concerto or the Classical Romance concerts.
  • reserve tickets with a valid government ID at the Colorado Symphony Box Office (valid while supplies last and/or through 2/17/19)

Denver Art Museum  

  • providing free admission to furloughed workers plus one guest each

Denver Museum of Nature and Science 

  • providing free admission to furloughed workers plus one guest each

Denver Firefighters Museum 

  • offering free admission for furloughed government workers with a valid federal ID

El Pueblo History Museum

  • offering free general admission to all federal employees plus one guest when they show their government ID in person at the museum through the end of January

Four Mile Historic Park 

  • offering free admission to furloughed workers and their immediate families

Fred Astaire Dance Studio 

  • offering select free group classes at its two metro locations

Grafenberg Theater

  • offering federal employees a free ticket to any of their shows email Justin@grafenbergproductions.com for more info

History Colorado

  • offering free general admission to all federal employees impacted by the furlough plus one guest through the end of January

Impeach Vodka Distillery - Golden

  • offering a free shot to furloughed workers during the shutdown when they visit the distillery

Trinidad History Museum

  • offering free admission to furloughed workers during the shutdown

Ute Indian Museum

  • offering free general admission to all federal employees plus one guest when they show their government ID in person at the museum through the end of January

RESTAURANT FREEBIES

Antonio's Real New York Pizza - Denver

  • offering free meals for federal workers who are without pay and have a valid ID (ask for a "Help From Friends" order)
  • 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. If you'd like to donate, call (970) 586-7275 and say you want to contribute to the the "Help From Friends" fund.

Aperitivo - Boulder

  • offering a complimentary meal for any furloughed government employee/contractor and family, each up to a family of 4 - one family meal
  • per week per as long as the political shutdown continues - please make a reservation 303-530-1326 for seating

"B" Sweet Cupcakes - Loveland

  • offering a free mini cupcake or cookie for furloughed employees with a ID card (one offer per day)

Big Red F Restaurant Group - Boulder

  • offering free weekday lunches to furloughed workers beginning Monday, Jan. 14. - includes The Post Brewing Co., Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar, Centro Mexican Kitchen, West End Tavern and Zolo Grill

The Black Steer 

  • offering a free lunch to furloughed federal employees... includes immediate family members; must have valid federal employee ID offer good daily, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Curry N Kebob - Boulder

  • offering free meals to furloughed employees with federal ID

Dazzle - Denver

  • offering various free meals to furloughed workers

El Dorado Mexican Restaurant - Golden

  • offering a complimentary burrito and choice of soft drink for free, with a federal employee valid ID

Fazoli’s Multiple locations

  • offering a free "pizza baked spaghetti" with the purchase of a drink until Jan. 20.

Jefe's Tacos and Tequila - Longmont

  • offering free lunch for furloughed government employees

Kind Coffee - Estes Park

  • offering furloughed government employees of Rocky Mountain National Park and the U.S. Forest Service a free coffee drink 

Lucha Cantina - Littleton or Georgetown

  • offering any adult with a government ID, and their children, complimentary meals from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day until the government re-opens

Mint & Serif Coffee House - Lakewood

offering free drip coffee for furloughed federal employees with valid government ID (one coffee per day as long as the government shutdown continues)

Modern Market Eatery 

  • offering free grain bowls after 5 p.m. every Friday through Sunday until the shutdown ends

Oblio’s - Denver

  • offering complimentary dinners to government employees impacted by the shutdown

Papa John's Pizza - Brighton

  • offering a free meal to any government employee's family impacted by the shutdown (meal includes two 1-topping pizzas and a 2-liter, and patrons must present government ID upon pick up)

Poor Richard's Restaurant - Colorado Springs

  • offering government employees a free meal for themselves and their families with a valid ID

The Roost - Longmont

  • offering free lunch for furloughed government employees

Sheraton Denver Tech Center Hotel - Greenwood Village

  • offering a free flatbread pizza or Sheraton house salad with the purchase of a beverage (through Jan. 31, patrons must show their federal
  • government I.D. during lunch and dinner hours, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.) contact GM Erik Pederson at 303.799.6200

Sushi-Rama - Denver or Lone Tree

  • offering a free lunch to all Colorado furloughed employees affected by the government shutdown (valid for those with valid federal ID
  • Monday, Jan. 14 to Friday, Jan. 18, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Walnut Cafe - Multiple Locations

  • offering free breakfast to furloughed workers

Wave the Grain 

  • offering a free small coffee and any one item worth up to $5

SERVICE DEALS

Affinity Wellness & Massage - Estes Park

  • offering 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

B-cycle - Denver or Boulder

  • offering a code to ride the B-cycles around town for free email  B-cycle at info@denverbcycle.org to get their code

DIRECTV

  • offering flexible payment options

Flex Yoga + Barre - Denver

  • offering free classes to all furloughed federal government employees during the government shutdown

Keller Bros. Auto Repair - Littleton 

  • offering free flat tire repair, free brake inspection, and 50 percent off an oil change (offer will last for two weeks after the shutdown ends)

Planned Pethood Plus Inc. - Wheatridge

  • offering free exams for pets whose owners are federal workers affected by the shutdown

Rocky Mountain Health Club - Estes Park

  • offering any of Rocky Mountain Health Club classes for free to furloughed federal worker 

Urban Escape Day Spa - Golden

  • offering the first furloughed government employee to call Monday through Thursday a free massage or facial (gratuity included, offer will continue for the duration of the shutdown)

Windsong Holistic Health Inc. - Lakewood

  • offering a free 1-hour acupuncture treatment (please book online)

The Willow Room Hair Studio - Denver

  • offering free haircuts to furloughed employees due to the shutdown; appointment-only (must show government ID and zero-balance
  • paycheck at appointment)