The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) announced the second year of the pilot Utility Bill Help program (UBH), a utility energy assistance program for income qualified consumers. The UBH program helps Coloradans access resources to manage winter heating expenses.
The program will operate from Nov. 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, and helps lower-income customers access energy assistance from certain utility-run affordability programs. These programs provide relief from energy bills by capping a customer’s share of their total energy bill. Enrollment in one of these programs ensures that customers do not pay more than six percent of their monthly income on their energy bill.
The Public Utilities Commission determined that there was a continued need for this program based on last year's response and the number of applicants. Last year the PUC was able to reach many Colorado residents struggling to keep up with rising utility costs. Through UBH they were able to access and utilize the funds that each utility has set aside for energy assistance for income-qualified customers. The continuation of this program ensures that more people will have reliable access to support during our coldest months.
“The PUC is proud of the UBH program that has helped connect the state’s most vulnerable families with existing utility energy assistance programs,” said PUC Director Rebecca White. “This income-qualified program, in its second year, has played a critical role to help save people money, and keep them safe and warm in their own homes.”
For the first year of the 2023-2024 UBH pilot program, 768 applications were received. 51% of UBH applicants were enrolled in a utility-run energy assistance program and 197 applicants received forgiveness credits for past due balances ranging from $2 to $5,500.
The UBH program is intended to help income-qualified customers access energy assistance through their utility. Customers are always encouraged to apply for LEAP to access all energy assistance benefits available to them for the heating season. If a customer is already enrolled in LEAP, they do not need to apply to UBH because they will be referred to the utility-led assistance programs through LEAP.
Who qualifies for the Utility Bill Help program?
The following are the two requirements to qualify:
- You are a customer of Xcel Energy, Black Hills Energy, Atmos Energy, or Colorado Natural Gas.
- You are receiving assistance from one of the following benefit programs:
- Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- Woman, Infants and Children (WIC)
- Subsidized Housing (Housing Choice Voucher, previously called Section 8)
For more information on the Utility Bill Help program, visit here, call 303-869-0380, or email dora_utility_bill_help@state.co.us.