BLACK HAWK, Colo. (Dec. 17, 2025) – The American Red Cross of Colorado has opened an emergency shelter at Gilpin County School, located at 10595 State Route 119, Black Hawk, CO. Due to high winds and heightened wildfire risk, proactive public safety power shutoffs are occurring across the state. We are providing safe refuge to those without power in our emergency shelter.

Volunteers are providing assistance with immediate needs, support, and information. Food and water are available at the shelter, as are medical services and mental health services. 

All are welcome in an American Red Cross shelter, including pets. Shelters are open to everyone in need, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or citizenship status, and all disaster assistance is free. We don't require people to show any kind of identification to enter a shelter, just their name and where they have been living.

The Red Cross also encourages everyone to download the free Red Cross Emergency App to help monitor hazards and find safety information. You can find the Emergency App by searching "American Red Cross" in your app store or by visiting www.redcross.org/apps.

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information and photos, please visit https://redcross.org/colorado or follow us on social media.