Energy Outreach Colorado Provides Help for Winter Energy Bills

DENVER, Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a letter to the editor written by Skip Arnold, executive director of Energy Outreach Colorado:

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Beginning this time of year, as many as one in five Colorado households struggles to keep up with home energy bills. Too many seniors on fixed incomes and families with children must seriously weigh such dismal choices as keeping the heat on or doing without food or medical care, even as they struggle to stay warm and safe during the cold winter months.

Fortunately, help is available. The Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), a federally-funded program administered through the Colorado Department of Human Services, provides energy bill payment assistance to income qualifying households.  LEAP also offers a Crisis Intervention Program to help eligible households needing a repair or replacement of their home heating system.

However, LEAP's funding is in danger of being drastically cut this year and the qualifying income level has been reduced.  Another resource for help is Energy Outreach Colorado, a private, non-profit organization that raises funds for energy assistance in our state through individual and corporate donors.  This year, Energy Outreach is distributing about $6.7 million in energy assistance grants to 130 community assistance organizations across the state, including Seniors Resources Center, Salvation Army and Home Front Cares.  

Energy Outreach was established in 1989 to supplement LEAP funding and provide warmth and security to those who may not qualify for LEAP or need additional assistance. Since then it has raised more than $153 million to fund energy bill payment assistance and energy efficiency upgrades for affordable housing in Colorado.

I strongly encourage anyone struggling to pay home energy bills to apply for help today by calling toll-free 1-866-HEAT-HELP or by going to www.EnergyOutreach.org/locator.asp. Concerned citizens interested in helping those who can't afford home energy can make a donation by calling Energy Outreach directly at 303-226-5056, calling toll-free at 1-866-HEAT-HELP or by going to www.EnergyOutreach.org.  

Warmly,
Skip Arnold
Executive Director
Energy Outreach Colorado

SOURCE Energy Outreach Colorado