Utility Customers Needing Assistance Have Options to Help Pay Their Energy Bills
DENVER - Colorado customers of electric and natural gas service who need assistance have options for help paying their bills. With the temporary moratorium on utility disconnections lifted by the Governor, the Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) want consumers to be aware of their options for assistance in paying their energy bills.
To avoid disconnection, customers who have fallen behind in their payments are encouraged to contact their electric or gas utility. Information about how to contact the utility can be found on the customer’s bill, the utility’s website or the PUC’s website at “Colorado Electric & Gas Utility Contact Information.” Most utilities will work with customers who are having difficulties in paying their bills to make payment arrangements, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The payment arrangements can spread payments across multiple months giving customers the opportunity to become current. Many utilities are also waiving related fees.
If customers need further help with their bills, Colorado has additional resources available. The Colorado Department of Human Services provides payment assistance to low-income customers through the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). Through LEAP, customers can apply for payment assistance which is provided through federal funding. This year, this assistance will apply to both heating and supportive fuel needs. Individuals can call toll free 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to get assistance. For more information visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/leap.
Energy Outreach Colorado, a non-profit organization, provides payment assistance beyond that offered by the utilities and LEAP to help customers with their energy costs. For more information visit https://www.energyoutreach.org/programs-for-individuals/bill-payment-assistance/.
Colorado state agencies and low-income assistance partners are circulating this key information, which can also be copied to media websites:
Customers who have difficulties obtaining help after they have contacted all the resources listed above are encouraged to contact the PUC by email at dora_puc_website@state.co.us.
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About OCC
The Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC), a division within the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), represents residential, small business, and agricultural utility consumers as a class in electric and natural gas proceedings before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The OCC does not regulate; it advises and advocates on behalf of consumers. The OCC helps consumers by lowering or eliminating proposed utility rate increases and by ensuring that utility rates, regulations and policies are more equitable for residential, small business, and agricultural consumers. Visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/office-consumer-counsel for more information.
About PUC
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) serves the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably-priced services consistent with the economic, environmental and social values of our state.
About DORA
DORA is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado. Consumer protection is our mission.
Visit www.dora.colorado.gov for more information or call 303-894-7855/toll free 1-800-886-7675 outside of Denver.
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