Help paying your electric bill in Colorado
Colorado got $55.5 million in the HHS table, about $24 for each of its 2,325,576 households. Public line 1-866-432-8435. Heating help reached 85,488 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Colorado
- Colorado LIHEAP public line1-866-432-8435
- State program sitecolorado.gov/pacific/energyoffice/weatherization-assistance
- Colorado Public Utilities Commission800-456-0858 · 303-894-2070 · puc.colorado.gov · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Colorado
Colorado: cold weather by temperature; hot weather by temperature; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Cold temperature | 32°F and below |
| Hot temperature | 95°F and above |
| Health or age needs | "A utility shall postpone discontinuance of electric service to a residential customer for 90 days from the date of a medical certificate issued by a Colorado-licensed physician, health care practitioner acting under a physician's authority, or health care... |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Code of Colorado Regulations; Code of Colorado Regulations (2).
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: 4 CCR 723-3, rule 3407. Colorado utilities must postpone residential shutoff on days the NWS forecast is 32F or lower or 95F or higher, and for 90 days with a qualifying medical certificate (once per 12 months). A customer who pays one-tenth of the notice amount and enters an installment plan is also protected. Shutoffs only 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Quote: “A utility shall postpone service discontinuance to a residential customer on any day when the National Weather Service local forecast”. Source: text of the rule (Cornell LII).
| Point | Colorado: 4 CCR 723-3, rule 3407 |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | 3407(e)(VII)(A): utility must postpone discontinuance of residential service any day the NWS local forecast between 6 and 9 a.m. predicts 32F or lower at any time in the next 24 hours (or when utility personnel cannot restore service per rule 3409). No calendar-season ban. |
| Heat | 3407(e)(VII)(B): postpone on any day the 6-9 a.m. NWS forecast predicts 95F or higher in the next 24 hours. |
| Who is protected | (e)(VI): 90-day postponement from the date of a medical certificate from a Colorado-licensed physician or licensed prescribing practitioner (existing or created medical emergency of customer or permanent household resident); usable only once in any twelve consecutive months; telephone notice from provider allowed if written certificate follows within ten days; no payment required to honor a certificate. (e)(VII)(C): postpone during local emergency or safety event. |
| Notice | Notice timing not in 3407 text read (rule 3408). 3407(e): no disconnection outside 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday; none from noon the day before to 8 a.m. after a holiday or office-closed day; to the greatest extent practicable none after 11:59 a.m. Monday-Thursday. |
| Payment plan | (e)(II): no discontinuance if customer pays at least one-tenth of the amount on the notice by its expiry and enters an installment plan per rule 3404. Not to disconnect for past-due under $50, amounts in pending dispute, etc. |
| Who the rule covers | Text says 'a utility'; co-ops/munis exclusion not stated in the text read. |
| Complaints | Pending dispute or informal complaint under rule 3004 bars disconnection for that amount; Commission phone not read. |
Notice rule 3408, payment plan rule 3404, and co-op/muni applicability were not read.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Colorado: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Colorado | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $55,507,474 = $49,956,727 + $0 IIJA + $5,550,747 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | no data | snapshot 18 Aug 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $200 minimum, $1,000 maximum Winter Crisis: $1,000 maximum | snapshot 18 Aug 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 85,488 Winter Crisis: 7,975 Year-round Crisis: 1,828 Weatherization: 471 | snapshot 18 Aug 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: November 1 - April 30 Winter Crisis: November 1 - April 30 Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 18 Aug 2026 |
CSV
CSVColorado in numbers
- Colorado ranks 42nd of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($24), 48th on households below the poverty line (9.5%) and 47th on low-income energy burden (6.1%).
- Per household below the poverty line (221,044 of them) the FY26 funds come to $251, rank 32nd of 51: 19% of a typical year's electricity ($1,289). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 84,096 households got help in FY2022 against 567,523 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 15% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $465, 36% of that year.
- Heating season: November 1 - April 30. Counted FY2024: heating, winter crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $13 (Arizona) to $46 (Wyoming); low-income burden from 5.8% (Utah) to 11.5% (Oklahoma). Colorado: $24 and 6.1%.
Where Colorado's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Costilla County 16.3% (949 households); Gilpin County 14.1% (604 households); Saguache County 13.0% (1,473 households); Elbert County 13.0% (1,405 households).
- Most low-income households: Denver County 81,808 (4.5%); El Paso County 71,658 (6.1%); Arapahoe County 54,420 (4.8%).
59 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Colorado?
No single poverty-guideline percent for Colorado; no estimate here. Median household income is $92,470.
How heavy is the energy bill in Colorado?
6.1% of income in low-income households, 1.7% overall. Ranking, Colorado prices.
| Group | Count | Colorado detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 567,523 households | 6.1% of income; $1,477 a year on $24,314 | rank 47 of 51 |
| All households | 2,278,044 households | 1.7%; $1,932 on $112,059 | rank 46 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 221,044 households | 9.5% of 2,325,576 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 48 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 15.85 ¢/kWh | bill $107 a month at 678 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Colorado
- Property Tax, Rent, and Heat Rebate Operated through the state Department of Revenue, allows tax rebates for home heating payments to residents at least 65 years old, surviving spouses at least 58 years old, or to disabled. The income limit for single households is...
- Search By Utility Atmos Energy Black Hills Energy City of Boulder City of Fountain City of Longmont City of Loveland Water and Power Colorado Springs Utilities Delta Montrose Electric Fort Collins Utilities Mountain Parks Electric Mountain View...
- Black Hills Energy Income-qualified residential customers may receive financial assistance through the Black Hills Energy Assistance Program or BHEAP.
- [Last updated: 04/20/2026] Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Atmos Energy, Black Hills Energy, City of Boulder, City of Fountain, City of Longmont, City of Loveland Water and Power and 7 more.
Colorado on the map
Next to Colorado
Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming. Most FY26 funds per household: Wyoming, $46. Colorado: $24. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Colorado
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Colorado Public Utilities Commission sets rules).
- Call 1-866-432-8435 or 211.
- Ask about temperature-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 800-456-0858.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Colorado bill?
$251 per poor household, 19% of $1,289.
How much LIHEAP money does Colorado get?
$55.5 million in FY2026, $24 per household, rank 42 of 51.
What income limit does Colorado use for LIHEAP?
see the snapshot; median household income $92,470; FY2022 heating standard 240% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Colorado?
Call 1-866-432-8435. Site: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/energyoffice/weatherization-assistance
Can Colorado utilities cut power in winter or summer?
temperature for cold; temperature for heat. 32°F and below
How big is the energy burden in Colorado?
6.1% of income for low-income households, 1.7% for all; $1,477 a year for the first group.
How many Colorado households got energy help?
84,096 in FY2022, 85,488 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $465.