Federal funding for Colorado households in need of heating assistance this winter has more than doubled as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act.
The Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, accepting applications until April 30, pays a portion of heating bills for eligible households during the winter. This year, President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan added $71.8 million to Colorado’s usual allocation of $53.8 million for the program, bringing this season’s total LEAP funding to $125.6 million.
“I’m grateful that our state will receive a record amount of funding to help Coloradans cover energy costs this cold winter,” Sen. Michael Bennet said in a news release. “No family should have to worry about how they’re going to heat their home – especially amid a pandemic.”
The additional funding comes amid higher fuel costs and a prediction by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of a slightly colder winter this year than last year. Federal officials estimate households will spend 54% more on propane, a fuel used by some rural households in Southwest Colorado; 30% more on natural gas; and 6% more on electric heating.
Theresa Kullen, LEAP manager in Colorado, said the additional funding means larger benefits for each household. The amount of energy assistance dispersed depends on several factors, including the primary heating costs of a given household.
“We are a program that is out there to help people, and we strongly encourage everyone to apply even if they think they might not be eligible,” she said.
Coloradans can receive LEAP benefits if their income is less than 60% of the state median income, which for a family of four is $106,120. That means an eligible household of four must make less than $5,306 monthly.
Kullen said residents unsure of their eligibility should call the program hotline at (866) 432-8435. If a household is deemed eligible to receive LEAP assistance, the money is paid directly to the utility provider.
Since the program began accepting applications in November, 554 LEAP recipients in La Plata County have received benefits at an average amount of $497. Kullen said the program did not provide data breakdowns for specific cities.
The additional funding provided by the federal government is expected to expand other LEAP services, such as the repair and replacement of furnaces and wood-burning stoves, she said.
“If there (are) funds after the heating season is over available, we will be looking at providing ... assistance with air conditioning repair and replacement, which we’ve never had funds to do before,” she said.
In a statement, the White House noted this is the highest amount of energy assistance funding Colorado has received, and encouraged utility companies to avoid shutting off services to its customers during the winter.
Hillary Knox, spokeswoman with La Plata Electric Association, said when customers are struggling financially, they are referred to an assistance program, but the association does not refrain from utility shutoffs.
“We have a (four)-step disconnect process, which gives members ample time and notification to avoid any potential disconnect for nonpayment,” Knox wrote in an email to The Durango Herald. “These efforts combine to create a very low delinquent rate amongst our 45,000 accounts.”
She added that there are currently 72 accounts owing a total of $3,413 to the association.
Atmos Energy, which provides natural gas to the area, acknowledged that it will disconnect service from customers for a number of reasons and emphasized a charity program that funnels donations from customers and the company itself to those in need of financial assistance.
“Our desire is to work with our customers in La Plata County and throughout Colorado to exhaust all options prior to any disconnections,” Atmos spokeswoman Jennifer Altieri wrote in an email to The Durango Herald. “We go to great lengths to notify customers and provide energy assistance options as outlined in our Colorado Customer Rights and Responsibilities.”
If residents are still unable to pay heating bills after LEAP assistance, additional resources can be found through housing assistance programs, including Energy Outreach Colorado, Housing Solutions and Southwest Colorado Disaster Assistance.
Skye Witley, a senior at American University in Washington, D.C., is an intern for The Durango Herald and The Journal in Cortez.
