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Below you will find third-party sites and resources. If you have a favorite resource that's not included in the list, please let us know.
Consumer Organizations
- Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPirg)
CoPIRG, Colorado Public Interest Research Group, is a consumer group that stands up to powerful interests whenever they threaten our health and safety, our financial security or our right to fully participate in our democratic society.
- Colorado: AARP
Contact the Colorado AARP office
- Colorado: Stop Fraud Colorado
StopFraudColorado.gov has been developed by the Consumer Protection Section of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office to support our mission of protecting consumers and businesses from the unscrupulous behavior of fraudsters operating throughout our state.
- National: AARP Consumer Protection
Contact AARP
- National: American Council on Consumer Interests
Since 1953, the American Council on Consumer Interests, ACCI, has been a leading membership organization for academicians and other professionals involved in consumer and family economics.
- National: Better Business Bureau
Here, you can find your local BBB
- National: Consumer Action
Through multilingual financial education materials, community outreach and grassroots "make your voice heard" advocacy, Consumer Action empowers underrepresented consumers nationwide to assert their rights in the marketplace and financially prosper.
- National: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
We aim to make consumer financial markets work for consumers, responsible providers, and the economy as a whole. We protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices and take action against companies that break the law. We arm people with the information and stepstools that they need to make smart financial decisions.
- National: Institute of Consumer Financial Education
The Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE) was founded in 1982 by the late Loren Dunton (creator of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation). The ICFE is dedicated to helping consumers of all ages to improve their spending, increase savings and use credit more wisely.
- National: Consumer Federation of America
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is an association of non-profit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education. Today, nearly 300 of these groups participate in the federation and govern it through their representatives on the organization’s Board of Directors.
- National: Consumers League
For more than a century, NCL has led the charge to improve the lives of consumers and workers on the issues that matter most
- National: Consumers Union
Consumers Union is the policy and action division of Consumer Reports. We work with our million plus activists to pass consumer protection laws in states and in Congress. We hammer corporations that do wrong by their customers, and encourage companies that are heading in the right direction.
- National: FICO Score
Know your FICO® Scores, save money.Whether you’re buying a home, a car or applying for a credit card – lenders want to know the risk they’re taking by lending you money. FICO® Scores are the credit scores used by 90% of top lenders to determine your credit risk.
- National: Fraud Information Center
Fraud.org is a project of the nation's oldest consumer advocacy organization.
- National: Fraud.org
Fraud.org is a project of the National Consumers League (NCL), a nonprofit advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. NCL was founded in 1899 to promote the interests of consumers and workers in the United States and abroad.
- National: U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US Pirg)
U.S. PIRG is a consumer group that stands up to powerful interests whenever they threaten our health and safety, our financial security, or our right to fully participate in our democratic society.
Consumer Publications
Credit and Debt Resources
- American Bankruptcy Institute
The American Bankruptcy Institute is the nation’s largest association of bankruptcy professionals, made up of over 12,000 members in multi-disciplinary roles, including attorneys, auctioneers, bankers, judges, lenders, professors, turnaround specialists, accountants and others.
- Debtors Anonymous
Debtors Anonymous offers hope for people whose use of unsecured debt causes problems and suffering in their lives and the lives of others.
- Green Path Financial Wellness
GreenPath, Inc. is a non-profit, financial wellness organization that has been empowering people to lead financially healthy lives since 1961. We partner with you to ease financial stress. We offer free debt counseling that is personal and tailored to your unique situation.
- Money Management International
MMI is the largest nonprofit, full-service credit counseling agency in the United States. Since 1958, we have been helping consumers find the tools and solutions they need to achieve financial freedom.
- mpowered
Mpowered is the only Colorado-based nonprofit resource for individuals and families in Colorado who want to learn about money management and participate in coaching to achieve their personal definition of financial success. Members of Consumers United Association have access to special services from our credit counseling partner, mpowered. Visit our Member Benefits page for information.
- National Foundation for Credit Counseling
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®), founded in 1951, is the nation’s largest and longest-serving nonprofit financial counseling organization. The NFCC’s mission is to promote the national agenda for financially responsible behavior, and build capacity for its members to deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services.
- Shopaholics Anonymous
A resource for compulsive shopping and buying
- Spenders Anonymous
A 12-Stop program for those who overspend. This site lists support groups for several states.
- Transformance
To empower individuals and families to achieve financial freedom. Our vision is a financially sound community that values; integrity, compassion, professionalism, innovation, & accountability.
Credit Reports
- 1-How to obtain your free annual credit report from the Federal Trade Commission
Info for consumers
- Equifax
Equifax powers the financial future of individuals and organizations around the world. Using the combined strength of unique trusted data, technology and innovative analytics, Equifax has grown from a consumer credit company into a leading provider of insights and knowledge that helps its customers make informed decisions.
- Experian
We are the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to our clients around the world. We help businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making.
- TransUnion
Our mission is to help people everywhere access the opportunities that lead to a higher quality of life. By helping organizations optimize their risk-based decisions and enabling consumers to understand and manage their personal information, we empower both to take their destinies into their own hands.
Credit Unions and Orgazizations
- A Smarter Choice Credit Union Finder
A site where you can find a credit union to join
- Credit Union National Association
The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the largest national trade association in the United States serving America's credit unions. The not-for-profit trade group is governed by volunteer directors who are elected by their credit union peers from across the nation.
- Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy
The Credit Union Network for Financial Literacy provides innovative financial literacy programs that engage children and adults while promoting the benefits of credit union membership.
- Mountain West Credit Union Association
The Mountain West Credit Union Association is the regional trade association representing 125 member credit unions, 3.1 million credit union members and $34 billion in assets throughout Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming.
- National Credit Union Administration
Provide, through regulation and supervision, a safe and sound credit union system, which promotes confidence in the national system of cooperative credit. NCUA will protect consumer rights and member deposits.
Do Not Call Registries and Opt-Outs
- Colorado No Call List
To add your number to the Colorado Do Not Call List and to file complaints.
- National Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at this Website. You can register your home or mobile phone for free.
- State by state list of Do Not Call Registries
Find the Do Not Call Registry for your state
- Stopping Unsolicited Mail, Phone Calls, and Email
Tired of having your mailbox crammed with unsolicited mail, including preapproved credit card applications? Fed up with getting telemarketing calls just as you're sitting down to dinner? Fuming that your email inbox is chock-full of unsolicited advertising? The good news is that you can cut down on the number of unsolicited mailings, calls, and emails you receive by learning where to go to "just say no."
Energy Assistance Programs
- Arizona LIHEAP
Community Action Programs offer several programs to assist with energy assistance. The Division contracts with CAPs for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a Federally-funded program that helps low-income households pay their heating/cooling bills, minimize crises, and make energy costs more affordable.
Eligible energy customers may receive help in three ways:
Help to pay current and past due energy bills
Help with utility deposits
Help with energy efficiency measures to reduce future energy costs
- Energy Outreach Colorado
Provides energy assistance between May 1 and October 31, or if you do not qualify for federal assistance under the LEAP program or have already received LEAP and need help again, then you can seek help directly from Energy Outreach Colorado on a year-round basis. To qualify for our funds, you must owe a past-due balance on your utility bill. To apply for funds from Energy Outreach Colorado, you must contact one of the charity organizations in their Community Energy Network
- Kansas LIEAP
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a Federally funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per year benefit.
- LEAP
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is a seasonal program available yearly from November 1 through April 30 that helps low-income families and individuals with their heating costs. Applications for LEAP are taken at your local county social services
- Nebraska LIEAP
The Nebraska Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps people with limited incomes offset the cost of heating and cooling their homes.
- New Mexico LIEAP
What is the purpose of this service?
LIHEAP assists eligible persons and families with their heating and cooling costs.
- Utah Heat Program
The HEAT program provides winter home heating assistance and year round energy crisis assistance for eligible low income households throughout Utah.
- Wyoming LIEAP Program
LIEAP is a state and federally-funded program that helps people pay home heating bills November through June. The program is open to homeowners and renters. It helps cover the costs of electricity, natural gas, propane, wood, diesel heating oil, coal and pellets when these are used for heating a home.
Financial Education
- Institute of Consumer Financial Education
All kinds of publications for children and adults
- National Foundation for Financial Education (NEFE), Smart About Money Program
Nonprofit. Noncommercial. Unbiased.
Smart About Money or SAM, is a program of the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) a nonprofit national foundation dedicated to inspiring empowered financial decision making for individuals and families through every stage of life.
- Phroogal
We're empowering a generation to make better financial decisions to live the life they've dreamed.
Through crowd sourced and curated information, blog articles and reviews, Phroogal continues to grow as a trusted millennial lifestyle brand focused on financial sustainability.
Financial News
- Bankrate
Bankrate has over four decades of experience in financial publishing. Bankrate was born in 1976 as "Bank Rate Monitor," a print publisher for the banking industry. The "Bank Rate Monitor" newsletter that was originally distributed contained much of the same rate research and information the Company is known for and respected for today.
Food
Foreclosure
Gaming Problems
- Gamblers Anonymous
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.
- National Council on Problem Gaming
Our mission is to lead state and national stakeholders in the development of comprehensive policy and programs for all those affected by problem gambling. Our purpose is to serve as the national advocate for programs and services to assist problem gamblers and their families.
Mortgage Information
- Fannie Mae
Fannie Mae serves the people who house America. We are a leading source of financing for mortgage lenders, providing access to affordable mortgage financing in all markets at all times. Our financing makes sustainable homeownership and workforce rental housing a reality for millions of Americans.
Social Services
- All States: 211.org
The United Way operates what they call a 2-1-1 line for resources in many cities. Here, you can get information on many resources. The 211 Service can also help you to find many other resources.
- Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov is the official benefits Web site of the U.S. government. Here, you can search for all government programs for which you may qualify.
- Colorado: Mile High United Way
Mile High United Way is more than an organization—we are a catalyst for social change. We live at the intersection of the private, public, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.
Our focus is on early childhood development and early literacy, education and youth development, and family income and economic stability. These are the fundamental building blocks for a good quality of life.
We know that our community’s challenges are bigger than any one organization can solve alone. By partnering with hundreds of local nonprofits, government agencies, policy-makers and businesses, we collectively solve community-wide problems.
State & Federal Government Information & Regulatory Agencies
- Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Affairs
The Attorney General’s office of Colorado has a vast array of information on consumer issues. Consumer complaints must be sent in writing. On this site, you can review Colorado laws pertaining to consumer issues.
- Colorado Collection Agency Board
The Colorado Collection Agency Board licenses and accepts complaints about collection agencies. Information on this site also includes the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.
- Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
As the state’s regulatory department, DORA is committed to ensuring that businesses thrive in an environment that protects consumers. Our nearly 600 employees are dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and promoting a fair and competitive business environment throughout Colorado.
- Colorado Official State Web Portal
State of Colorado Official State Web Portal.
- Colorado Uniform Consumer Credit Code
The Colorado Uniform Consumer Credit Code, in short, is a document outlining all of the policies and laws related to credit in Colorado .
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
As a public service, the staff of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has prepared the following complete text of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
- Federal Trade Commission
The FTC is a government entity that enforces a variety of federal antitrust and consumer protection laws and accepts consumer complaints on these issues. On their web site, you can read about formal actions against companies and order consumer protection information.
- Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the nation's tax collection agency and administers the Internal Revenue Code enacted by Congress.
- State by state list of consumer protection offices
Find your state's consumer protection office
Student Loans Information, Consolidation & Forgiveness
Unemployment
- Colorado Department of Labor and Unemployment
Today, the work of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment is more critical than ever. This Department provides the information and tools that are helping Colorado businesses and workers remain competitive.
- Unemployment Survival Guide
Consumers United Association (CUA), a consumers membership organization with a mission to improve the financial lives of Colorado consumers through financial education and advocacy, has produced this guide to help.
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