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Otero County Residents Can Apply for Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) by April 30
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Description: Time's almost up Get your applications in, season ends soon! IF YOU HAVEN'T APPLIED FOR THE 24/25 SEASON, DEADLINE IS APRIL 30, 2025 Otero County Department of Human Services 13 West 3rd Street, Room 102 Phone: 719-383-3168 • Email: ocdhs@oterogov.org
Eligible Otero County Residents Encouraged to Apply for Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) by April 30 Deadline
Otero (April 2025) — April 30 is the last day to apply for Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). LEAP helps vulnerable Coloradans pay a portion of winter home heating costs so they have more money to spend on other essentials like food, medicine and rent. Nearly 80,000 eligible Coloradans have received an average benefit of $355 from LEAP this heating season.
“It’s not too late for Otero County residents to apply for LEAP! We encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible to apply,” said Lynn Graves, Leap Coordinator. “To date, nearly 1,703 Otero County residents have received energy assistance from LEAP this season.”
To qualify, Coloradans may have an income up to 60 percent of the state median income, which is a household income of less than $78,060 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 and have at least one U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S. living in the household.
To apply for LEAP, visit CDHS’s website (cdhs.colorado.com/leap). Online applications are processed through the Colorado PEAK system. You can also call the HEAT HELP line at 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to receive an application via mail, phone or email, or you can visit your Park County Department of Human Services office to pick up or drop off an application.
The Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is a federally funded program that helps eligible hard-working Colorado families, seniors and individuals pay a portion of their winter home heating costs.
LEAP was founded in 1981.
The Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is a federally funded program that helps eligible hard-working Colorado families, seniors and individuals pay a portion of their winter home heating costs. Our goal is to help bring warmth, comfort and safety to your home and family by assisting with heating costs.
The LEAP program works to keep our communities warm during the winter (November through April) by providing assistance with heating costs, equipment repair and/or replacement of inoperable heating tools. While the program is not intended to pay the entire cost of home heating, we aim to help alleviate some of the burdens that come with Colorado's colder months.
In most cases, the energy assistance benefit is paid directly to the household energy supplier. In most cases, if you are approved for LEAP, payments are made directly to your primary heating fuel vendor and a notice will be sent to you informing you of the benefit amount. Other benefits provided by LEAP include repair or replacement of a home’s primary heating system, such as a furnace or wood-burning stove. The program does not provide financial assistance for any type of temporary or portable heating.
● Did you know LEAP is approved for income up to 60% of the state median income level?
● Are you experiencing a heat emergency such as a natural gas shut off or running out of propane? You may be eligible for faster processing of your LEAP application.
● 1-866-HEAT-HELP , Request an application, get LEAP status update, and Apply over the phone
● If you apply for LEAP you could receive benefit from $200-$1000 paid directly to vendor
● LEAP Partners CIP:Crisis Intervention Program-Broken Furnaces 1-855-469-4328. Assists with repairing/replacing broken furnaces. Homeowners must be eligible for LEAP before CIP will assist with the furnace. Renters are not eligible as it is required by state law that landlords provide their tenants a habitable living environment which includes heat. Refer clients to call 1-855-469-4328
EOC Energy Outreach Colorado - Bill assistance 1-866-432-8435 eoc@goodwillcolorado.org
● Spring is Here. Let the sunshine in, Keep curtains open during the day, Apply for Leap
● The Otero County LEAP office is located in room 102 of the County Courthouse, located at 13 W 3rd St, in La Junta. Office hours are 8:00am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday. Please call 719-383-3168 with questions.
Learn More About LEAP:
