The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has announced the continuation of its Utility Bill Help program (UBH), entering its second year to assist income-qualified residents with their energy bills. The program will be available from November 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
The UBH initiative is designed to help lower-income households by connecting them with utility-run affordability programs. These programs cap the amount participants pay for energy at six percent of their monthly income. The decision to continue UBH was made after reviewing last year’s participation and applicant numbers, which indicated a significant need among Colorado residents facing rising utility costs.
Last year, the pilot phase of UBH received 768 applications. Of those applicants, 51 percent were enrolled in a utility-operated energy assistance program. Additionally, 197 individuals received forgiveness credits for overdue balances that ranged from $2 to $5,500.
PUC Director Rebecca White commented on the impact of the program: “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 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.”
Eligibility for UBH requires customers to be served by Xcel Energy, Black Hills Energy, Atmos Energy, or Colorado Natural Gas and to receive support from specific benefit programs such as Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Women, Infants and Children (WIC), or subsidized housing programs.
The PUC encourages eligible customers to apply for LEAP as well since it provides additional heating season benefits. Customers already enrolled in LEAP do not need to apply separately for UBH; they will be referred directly to relevant utility-led assistance.
More information about the Utility Bill Help program can be found by calling 303-869-0380 or emailing dora_utility_bill_help@state.co.us.
