Utilities & Energy Assistance

Programs that help low-income Colorado residents pay for heating, electricity, water, and weatherization.

LEAP — Low-income Energy Assistance Program

Colorado's primary energy assistance program, federally funded and state-administered.

• Benefit: $200–$1,000 toward winter heating costs (amount varies by fuel type, income, and household size)
• Season: Applications accepted November 1 through April 30 each year
• Qualifies: Household income at or below 60% of Colorado's state median income; must pay home heating costs directly or through rent; at least one U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident in household
• How to apply:
  • Online via Colorado PEAK
  • Phone: 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435)
  • In-person at your county human services office
• Additional benefits: LEAP can also help with furnace repair/replacement and other heating equipment
• Link: cdhs.colorado.gov/leap
• Denver-specific info: denvergov.org — LEAP

Energy EBT

A one-time cash benefit for energy costs issued to certain SNAP households.

• Benefit: Standard $21 per eligible SNAP household
• Qualifies: Certain households receiving SNAP benefits (automatically issued — no separate application needed)
• Link: cdhs.colorado.gov/energy-ebt

CARE Program (Energy Outreach Colorado)

The Colorado Affordable Residential Energy (CARE) program provides free weatherization and energy-efficiency upgrades to qualifying homes.

• Services: Free home energy audit, insulation, air sealing, furnace repair/replacement, LED lighting, high-efficiency appliances, solar installations, air source heat pumps, low-flow shower heads
• Qualifies: Automatic qualification if anyone in your household receives SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, TANF, Aid to the Needy Disabled, or Old Age Pension. Otherwise, income-based eligibility applies.
• How to apply:
  • Online application at energyoutreach.org/care
  • PDF application by mail: Energy Outreach Colorado, Attn: CARE Program, 303 E. 17th Avenue, Suite 405, Denver, CO 80203
  • If renting, landlord must sign a consent waiver
• Phone: 1-866-HEAT-HELP
• Link: energyoutreach.org/care

PIPP — Percentage of Income Payment Plan

Energy Outreach Colorado's PIPP program caps your household's total electric or gas bills at an affordable, fixed percentage of your income — meaning you'll never pay more than you can afford.

• How it works: Your monthly energy bill is capped at 6% of your yearly household income. Any amount above that cap is forgiven.
• Qualifies: Household income below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
• Participating utilities: Xcel Energy, Black Hills Energy, Colorado Natural Gas, Atmos Energy, and others
• Prerequisite: You must first apply for and receive funding through LEAP, Energy Outreach Colorado, the Colorado Energy Office, or the PUC Utility Bill Help Program before enrolling in PIPP
• How to apply:
  1. First, apply for LEAP or another qualifying energy assistance program
  2. Then create an account at energyoutreach.org/pipp and complete the PIPP referral application
  3. Energy Outreach Colorado sends your information to your utility to confirm eligibility
  4. Once enrolled, your bills are automatically capped
• Link: energyoutreach.org/pipp
• Bill payment assistance portal: energyoutreach.org/get-bill-payment-assistance

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

Colorado's statewide program providing free energy-efficiency improvements to income-qualified homes.

• Services: Energy audits, conservation education, air sealing, insulation, furnace repair/replacement, LED lighting, high-efficiency appliances, solar, air source heat pumps
• Cost: Free
• Qualifies: Income-qualified Colorado residents
• Link: Colorado Energy Office — WAP

Xcel Energy Programs

Xcel Energy (the primary electric/gas utility on the Front Range) offers several programs for income-qualified customers.

Home Energy Squad

• Benefit: Free home visit including energy assessment, LED light installation, weatherstripping, programmable thermostat, and water-saving measures
• Qualifies: Income-qualified households
• Link: xcelenergy.com/programs_and_rebates

Income-Qualified Community Solar

• Benefit: Significant electric bill savings through community solar subscriptions
• Qualifies: Proof of SNAP, Medicaid, or other qualifying program
• Link: energyoutreach.org/community-solar-faqs

Income-Qualified Resources

• Link: xcelenergycommunities.com/income-qualified-resources-residents

Denver Water — Payment Assistance

• Assistance: One-time payment assistance for qualifying customers
• How to apply: Contact Denver Water Customer Care at 303-893-2444 or through their online contact form
• 211 Helpline: Dial 211, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or visit 211colorado.org for referrals
• Link: denverwater.org — Bill Assistance

Utility Bill Help (Colorado PUC)

The Public Utilities Commission maintains a referral program connecting income-qualified residents to their utility's assistance programs.

• Link: puc.colorado.gov/utilitybillhelp

Low-Income Qualified Assistance Resources (UCA)

The Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate maintains a comprehensive list of assistance resources.

• Link: uca.colorado.gov/low-income-qualified-assistance-resources

Key Dates to Remember

Sources:

• CDHS — LEAP
• Energy Outreach Colorado — CARE
• Colorado Energy Office — WAP
• Colorado PUC — Utility Bill Help