Fountain Valley News - Your Hometown Community Newspaper

With the price of natural gas continuing to rise, heating bills for some Coloradans are up to 37 percent higher than in December 2021. Help is available. All potentially eligible Coloradans are urged to apply for Colorado's Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), a federally funded program that helps eligible Coloradans pay a portion of their winter home heating costs.

The LEAP program works to keep Colorado households warm during the winter by making a one-time payment directly to the utility company on behalf of each LEAP eligible household statewide.

LEAP applications are accepted through April 30.

In addition to home heating bill assistance, LEAP recipients may be eligible to receive furnace repair and replacement in heat-related emergencies and weatherization services pending the results of a home energy audit.

To qualify for LEAP, Coloradans may have an income up to 60 percent of the state median income level, which equates to a household income of less than $64,000 a year for a family of four. Additionally, LEAP recipients must pay home heating costs directly to a utility company or landlord as part of their rent, be a resident of Colorado and have at least one U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S. living in the household. Specific eligibility criteria can be found on our website.

To apply, visit http://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/LEAP or call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to receive an application via mail or email.

"This season, LEAP applications are up approximately 10 percent," explains Theresa Kullen, LEAP manager. "Colorado received a record amount of LEAP funding this year to help all eligible Coloradans with their heating bills. We encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible to apply and take advantage of LEAP's many benefits."