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Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) (LIHEAP) in Colorado

Colorado's LEAP helps pay winter heating bills, and it can fix or replace a broken furnace for people who qualify.

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From the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), LEAP
An older woman in a warm cardigan turns up the thermostat in her hallway

Applications are taken from Nov. 1 to April 30, and older adults can apply starting Oct. 1. If you got LEAP last year, an application is usually mailed to you in September.

How to apply in Colorado

In person
Contact your county department of human services, which handles outreach and emergencies. In most counties a nonprofit, Discover Goodwill, decides eligibility for the state. The online application is open only during the Nov. 1 to April 30 season.
By mail
People who got LEAP the year before are mailed an application with instructions and a stamped return envelope in mid to late September.

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Apply on the official site

Who may qualify in Colorado

Who may qualify for Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
Income limit (FY 2026 state plan; the dollar chart is on the CDHS website, which we could not open)60% of state median income, for every household size
Furnace repair or replacementIf you're approved for LEAP and your heating system doesn't work, you may also be able to get it repaired or replaced through Energy Outreach Colorado, with a separate application. Renters get this only if the landlord qualifies.

Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 1)

What you may get

What Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) pays
Heating help, estimated range (FY 2026 state plan; 2027 figures not posted)$200 to $1,000, paid to your heating company or, when heat is in your rent, on a state EBT card
Crisis help (FY 2026 state plan)Applications with a shut-off notice, heat already shut off, fuel running out within two weeks, or an eviction notice when heat is in the rent are fast-tracked. The crisis amount is what it takes to fix the problem, up to your regular heating benefit or $1,000, whichever is lower.

Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 1)

Dates, renewals and waiting lists

Dates and renewals
Heating application period (each year)Nov. 1 to April 30

Source: Energy Outreach Colorado (source 2)

Early sign-up for older adults (FY 2026 state plan)Homes with someone 60 or older, a person with a disability, or a young child can apply starting Oct. 1, a month before the season opens

Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 1)

How Colorado is different

Where Colorado's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.

  • Older adults can apply starting Oct. 1, a month before everyone else
  • Last year's recipients are mailed an application in September
  • Year-round furnace repair and replacement for LEAP households, run with Energy Outreach Colorado

Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 1)

Good to know

  • Energy Outreach Colorado, a nonprofit that works with LEAP, takes heating emergency calls at 1-866-432-8435 (1-866-HEAT-HELP) and runs its own bill-payment help. It encourages people to apply for LEAP too.
  • There is no cooling program in Colorado's LEAP.

Sources: Energy Outreach Colorado (source 2), LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 1)

Free help

Free help with this in Colorado

More help in Colorado

Help with heating and cooling bills in another state

Sources

  1. LIHEAP Clearinghouse, Colorado FY 2026 LIHEAP Model Plan (copy of the state's plan posted by the LIHEAP Clearinghouse) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  2. Energy Outreach Colorado, Get Bill Payment Assistance. Checked Oct 28, 2026.

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