homes with sunset

​Community Connections           Enlaces Comunitarios                           

Welcome! ¡Bienvenidos!

Our Mission: Enhancing lives through connection.

Our Vision: Building a foundation of community empowerment where all in Thornton reach their maximum potential.

If you are in need of assistance, please contact us at 720-977-5800 or at Connections@ThorntonCO.gov. ¡Se habla español! If you would prefer to self-serve, please visit ThorntonCares.com for resources. Thank you!

What's new?

Thornton Community Connections has NEW modified hours.  We are happy to serve you during drop in hours Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment after hours. You can reach us by phone at 720-977-5800 or email Connections@ThorntonCO.gov.


The HOT Drive for FREEZING Temps

March 12-April 2, 2023

Thornton's Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) is in need of items for adult men and women who are experiencing homelessness to help save lives during the cold winter days and prevent frostbite.  Items collected would be handed out by the HOT to people they come in contact with on the streets and who visit Community Connections seeking the HOT.  Bring donated items to North Metro Church, 12505 Colorado Blvd. or Community Connections, 9471 Dorothy Blvd. Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.   Click on the HOT Drive flyer under What's New.

Wish list items to collect: 

New Thermal underwear tops & bottoms sizes M, L, Xl

New or Used Winter Jackets or rain jackets M, L, XL, XXL

Winter Gloves or work gloves

Winter hats/balaclavas

New Wool, or synthetic socks

Army blankets or wool or synthetic blankets

Emergency blankets

New Water bottles

Tarps

First aid kits (small)

Zip lock bags (1 quart)

Trash bags (13-gallon kitchen size)

Gatorade powder

Coffee Talk – Peer Group

The Center for People with Disabilities (CPWD) has a new peer group for individuals with any disability that will meet on the 4th Monday of each month at their Thornton location, 10317 Washington St., Thornton, CO 80229.  To register click HERE or for more information contact Natalie Lydon-Eikel with CPWD at 303-442-8662 ext. 236 or email Natalie@CPWD.org. 

Healthy Farmers Market Community Feedback Survey

Share your story and let your voice be heard about Thornton's Healthy Farmers Markets and other food access programs.

We want your input on:

  • Why the markets are important
  • How the markets can be improved

  • What the markets mean to you

The survey is open from February 1st to April 1st, 2023, and can be completed online by clicking here. To receive a paper copy in person or by mail call 720-977-5800 or email connections@thorntonco.gov.

Take the survey today and be entered to win a gift card!

Public Assistance Help

Community Connections will become one of Adams County Human Services Outreach Sites. Individuals who are interested in applying or have questions about programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), Medicaid, and cash assistance can come by and get help! They will take place on the first Tuesday of every month. For more information contact Community Connections at 720-977-5800 or connections@thorntonco.gov

Community Connections Lending Library

Need a laptop or an iPad? We have both available for lending onsite here at 9471 Dorothy Blvd., completely FREE of charge!  We also have books ready for checkout. Our books include topics such as cooking, mental health, maintaining and building credit, English as a second language, and more!  WiFi is available in our building at no cost. To learn more, contact us at 720-977-5800 or connections@thorntonco.gov

Homeless Outreach Team / HOTline

Our Homeless Outreach Team is out and about rain, shine, or snow!

The city of Thornton's Homeless Outreach Team is a group dedicated to investigating encampments, making contact with Thornton's unhoused population, and providing resources to those experiencing homelessness. The team regularly does outreach, taking to the streets and investigating commonly-inhabited areas in order to provide hygiene items and referrals to shelter, food, and any other needed services. The team is an extension of the Community Connections division, which is the one-stop resource shop for people living in Thornton.

If you would like to report an encampment, get resources to individuals you suspect are without homes, or get more information about the Homeless Outreach Team, please contact our HOTline at 720-977-5900 or email us at connections@thorntonco.gov

For more information on HOT, visit www.gocot.net/HOT.

Outreach Events

If you would like Thornton Community Connections to attend a resource fair or event, please send an email to connections@thorntonco.gov or call 720-977-5800.

Community Connections:

Please click on the topics below to learn more about each program or initiative.

 Information and Referral to Community Programs

Information and Referral

Community members can call our main number when in need of resources. Connections to information on programs and services in the community, and the Denver Metro Area, are provided by our team.

Any of the community-based resources or service providers listed on the Thornton Cares website (http://thorntoncares.com), or to which City staff has provided a referral by email, phone or otherwise, should not be seen as an endorsement or recommendation by the City. Nor can the City guarantee the availability of any such resources or service providers.

 People Experiencing Homelessness

Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness

If you are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless, please give us a call at 720-977-5800 if you'd like to chat or schedule an appointment to come see us. We believe that asking for help is a sign of strength, and we're here for you.

 Get Involved

Drives

The city of Thornton hosts three separate drives:

  • Random Acts of Kindness - This February drive seeks to encourage Thornton community members to embrace the importance of kindness by donating food to local food banks and pet supplies to give to companion pets of local seniors.
  • Food and School Supply Drive - This drive in July and August, just before the start of the back to school season, collects food and school supplies to distribute to local food banks and agencies that distribute school supplies to children and youth in need.
  • Mayor's Holiday Food and Sock Drive - This drive that starts right around Thanksgiving, seeks to distribute food for holiday meals and socks to Thornton's homeless community at a time when they are most needed.
For more information on drives, please contact Community Connections at 720-977-5800.

Perfect Holiday Gift

The Perfect Holiday Gift program pairs generous donors, who donate gifts and meals, with families in need of a little help during the holiday season. Families in need are added by case managers from local agencies. For more information on the Perfect Holiday Gift program, please visit the program website here. If you are interested in volunteering with the Perfect Holiday Gift program, please send an email to Raquel Jimenez at Raquel.Jimenez@ThorntonCO.gov.

​Community Gardens

The city of Thornton is home to community gardens! All of the Thornton community gardens accept gardeners of all ages and abilities, and they are all open to Thornton residents. 

If you're looking to start a community garden, you may qualify for a water rebate! To learn more click here.

If you have any questions about community gardens or about starting your own garden, contact Community Connections at 720-977-5800 or Connections@thorntonco.gov.

Snowbusters – Volunteers Needed

Thornton is looking for volunteers for the Snowbusters program. Snowbuster volunteers remove snow from the public walkways and driveways of seniors and/or residents with a disability during the snow season. This service is for Thornton residents who cannot otherwise arrange for or afford to have their snow removed. Volunteer today and be matched with a qualified citizen in need. Please call 303-255-7831 to get started.  To learn more, please click here.

 Food Access

If you're hungry in Thornton...

If you're looking for food resources in Thornton please click here for information about local food banks and other food related resources. Please don't hesitate to give us a call at 720-977-5800 for additional assistance.  We want to help.

Farmers' Market

The City of Thornton, in partnership with the Tri-County Health Department, the American Heart Association, and Anythink Libraries, holds a summer farmer's market series at Anythink Huron Street, to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to the neighboring community at an affordable cost. Local artisans and small businesses come to sell their crafts and share information.

WIC, SNAP, and RTD coupons are available for those who qualify!

For more information on the Farmers' Market, please contact Community Connections at 720-977-5800. 

​Community Gardens

See the "Get Involved" section above for more information on community gardens.

 Water Assistance Program

Water Assistance Program

The Thornton Water Assistance Program helps low-income individuals and families struggling to pay their water bills. Thornton Water customers and residents living in apartment complexes, manufactured home parks, houses, condominiums, and townhomes that receive water through the City of Thornton can apply for the program once per calendar year. Those who meet the program qualifications will receive a credit on their water account.

For more information, please click here.


 Home Repair Programs

Help for Homes (Accepting applications in 2024)

This City program helps low-income homeowners in Thornton with minor home repairs up to $10,000, including accessibility modifications, plumbing repairs, furnace repair/replacements, roofing, or electrical repairs.  There is currently a 2-year waiting list for this program.  For more information, click here or contact Community Connections at 720-977-5800 or Connections@thorntonco.gov.