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Heating and utility bill assistance from Energy Outreach Colorado.

Over 21,000 families in Colorado receive utility and heating bill assistance yearly from Energy Outreach Colorado. They are a private, nonprofit organization that is committed to helping to keep Colorado homes warm, safe, and healthy by raising money for energy assistance and distributing the funds to low and moderate income families.

They offer various programs and resources that provide emergency assistance. They want to prevent both utility and heating service from being cut off, they can help people with grants that can be used by households for bulk fuel and oil, and they can also offer funds to restore your service if it was disconnected. Unfortunately the demand for aid is very high, and more and more families are already requesting funds to pay their heating bills. Over 20,000 families are helped each year.

Energy Outreach Colorado assists people facing a crisis or who are in an emergency situation by helping them pay off the balance on their utility and heating bills. They also help limited income families become more self-sufficient by paying for energy efficiency measures that lower energy costs in affordable housing across Colorado. For example, they may help people access weatherization programs and other conservation programs.

Also they coordinate with other agencies and government programs. For example, through the Charitable Energy Network and the federally funded Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), they help those in need across Colorado. In addition, they also support and encourage that people use Energy Efficiency Programs that provide long-term solutions. After all, the best way to save money is to help needy Coloradans control their energy use, which will lower their energy bills.

They also have a program that offers Energy Solutions Grants. These grants can be used for energy efficiency improvements for affordable housing, and also encourages long-term solutions to helping needy Coloradans control their energy costs over the long term and save substantially on their utility and heating bills. After all, energy efficiency is a long-term solution that is designed for helping low and moderate income households manage their energy needs through lowering their energy costs and creating a healthier, safer and more comfortable living environment for their family.

How do you get help?

If you need assistance with paying your heating or utility bills between November 1 and April 30, the first step you need to take is to submit an application to the federal government’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, or LEAP. Each year, in addition to the government grants, Energy Outreach Colorado contributes millions of dollars to LEAP to help qualifying families receive help paying their energy bills.

If you do not qualify for the LEAP program, or if you need help between May 1 and October 31, or if you have already received LEAP funds and need more aid, then you may be able to receive additional funds and assistance from Energy Outreach Colorado on a year-round basis. To qualify for their grants and funds you need to have a past-due balance on your heating or utility bills. Contact them at 303-825-8750 to learn more or apply. You will need to apply directly to one of the charities, agencies, or organizations that they partner with.