Top 10 reasons to complete the census

By Julie Estlick

Once every 10 years, each person living in the United States and its territories is counted. The 2020 census counts where you lived on April 1, 2020. These numbers are used to determine federal funding of essential and popular programs including Health First Colorado/Medicaid for the next decade. Larimer County receives $800 million a year to help pay for things like child care assistance, services for aging adults, public health services, housing, education, employment, and road and bridge repairs.

Colorado even stands to gain an additional seat in the House of Representatives after this count, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.

Most households will receive invitations to fill out the short questionnaire by phone, mail, or—for the first time— online. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ever-changing situation, if you need help filling out the census you can call 1-844-330-2020 or go to 2020census.gov for more language guides.
[Debido a la pandemia de COVID-19 y la situación en constante cambio, si necesita ayuda para completar el censo, puede llamar al 1-844-468-2020 para español, o visite 2020census.gov para más guías de idiomas.]

“We are really focused on the tremendous growth in Larimer County and making sure every person gets counted,” says Heather O’Hayre, director of Larimer County Department of Human Services.

Need more motivation to be counted?

Top 10 Reasons to participate in the 2020 Census:

1. It’s the law. Everyone living in the United States is required to complete the census.
    
2. Census data is safe and secure. There is NO citizenship question on the 2020 Census. Your personal information is protected—each household form has a special code. And federal law prohibits using any information against you.
   [Los datos del censo son seguros y protegidos. No hay preguntas de ciudadanía en el Censo 2020. Su información personal está protegida: cada formulario de hogar tiene un código especial. Y la ley federal prohíbe el uso de cualquier información en su contra.]
    
3. It’s fast. There are only 10 questions and it takes about 10 minutes to complete.
    
4. It’s convenient. You can complete the census online or call 1-844-330-2020 on your schedule. Call centers are staffed 9 a.m.-4 p.m. MST, but you may have a longer wait time due to limits on the number of employees allowed to work together during the health crisis.
   [Es conveniente. Puede completar el censo por el internet o llamar al número 1-844-468-2020 para español en su horario. Los centros de llamadas cuentan con personal de 9 a.m. a 4 p.m. MST, pero es posible que tenga un tiempo de espera más largo debido a la cantidad de empleados que pueden trabajar juntos durante la crisis de salud.]
    
5. Help is available! Once government stay-at-home orders are lifted and public libraries re-open, some area libraries can assist you in filling out the census questionnaire. Special outreach events around the community may be rescheduled. Check here for updates: Larimer.org/census-outreach-calendar.
    
6. Access to computers is easy. In the current health crisis, it may take a while for libraries to re-open to the public. When they do, you won’t need a library card or ID to use a public library computer. Census workers or librarians can help you complete the questionnaire online. Laptops will be provided at some regional events if they are rescheduled. (See resources.)
    
7. It’s not just for English speakers. Paper forms are also available in Spanish. Phone assistance is provided in 13 languages. Web pages, videos guides, and word glossaries are available in 59 languages, large print, and braille. (See resource list.)
   [No es solo para hablantes de inglés. Los formularios en papel también están disponibles en español. La asistencia telefónica se proporciona en 13 idiomas. Las páginas web, las guías de videos y los glosarios de palabras están disponibles en 59 idiomas. (Ver lista de recursos.)]
    
8. Money for essential community programs is at stake. An accurate count means we get the federal dollars we need to keep our county safe, healthy, and thriving.
    
9. Fair representation at the federal level. Colorado’s population has exploded since 2010, according to the State Demography Office. Census counts are used to determine how many seats each state gets in Congress, and an additional representative in Washington would increase the Centennial State’s political power.
    
10. EVERYONE deserves to be counted. In the past, infants, people living in rural areas, unhoused people, and people of color have been undercounted. Just a 1 percent undercount in Larimer County could mean losing $80 million in federal funds over the next 10 years!

Sources: Counting for Dollars 2020: Colorado (George WashingtonUniversity Study), Larimer County Budget Office, Larimer County Department of Human Services, NoCoCounts, U.S.Census Bureau Denver Regional Office