Energy Outreach Providing $1.17 Million Safety Net for Energy Consumers

DENVER, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Energy Outreach Colorado is releasing $1.17 million in energy assistance this week to help seniors, veterans and others in need catch up on winter bills.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100608/EOCLOGO)

Colorado's federally-funded Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) will stop accepting applications May 1 until next November, leaving non-profit Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) and its 129 partner agencies as the lone safety net during the summer for low-income Coloradans in danger of having their home energy shut off.

"Cuts in federal funding put more seniors and families at risk of having their energy shut off this past winter," said Skip Arnold, EOC executive director.  "We have increased energy assistance funding by 20 percent and helped 17 percent more families and the requests for help keep coming."

Each year in Colorado, LEAP administers federal energy assistance funding through the Colorado Department of Human Services from November through April. Energy Outreach, an independent non-profit, raises additional assistance funds through more than 18,000 individual, corporate and foundation donors, and then distributes this funding through its network of assistance agencies, including LEAP.        

To apply for assistance, or make a tax-deductible donation, please go to www.EnergyOutreach.org or call toll free 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435). 

About Energy Outreach Colorado

Helping all Coloradans afford home energy.

Energy Outreach Colorado is the only independent, non-profit organization in the state raising money to help limited income Coloradans afford home energy.  Since it was established in 1989, EOC has raised more than $162 million to fund energy bill payment assistance, energy efficiency upgrades for affordable housing and non-profit facilities, and advocacy on behalf of low-income energy consumers.  Energy Outreach Colorado relies on private donations, corporate contributions and foundation grants.  It has received top ratings from Charity Navigator for 10 consecutive years and is an accredited charity member of the Better Business Bureau.  Energy Outreach Colorado, www.EnergyOutreach.org, can be reached at 303-825-8750 or at 225 E. 16th Ave. Ste. 200, Denver, CO  80203-1612.

SOURCE Energy Outreach Colorado