Heating Help Season Is Open: Five Smart Moves With Colorado's LEAP Program |
Colorado's LEAP program, which helps eligible households pay part of their winter heating costs, opened applications Nov. 1. Here are five smart ways Centennial households can make the most of it. |
The furnace is back on in Centennial, and the first winter heating bills are coming. If that bill is going to be hard to cover, there is a well-timed state program to know about. It opened for the season just before this week.
Why this matters now
The Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program, known as LEAP, is federally funded. It helps eligible households pay part of their winter heating costs, according to the Colorado Department of Human Services. LEAP runs from November through April. The state said it would begin accepting applications Nov. 1, 2026, so the window is open this week.
Here are five smart ways to use it.
Five smart moves
1. Apply at the start of the season. LEAP covers November through April. If you think you might qualify, applying now puts help in place for more of those months. Waiting until a large January bill arrives means the months before it go uncovered.
2. Treat it as a boost, not a full payment. CDHS says LEAP is meant to help with part of your heating costs, not cover the whole bill. Plan for the rest. Look at last winter's statements, if you have them, and set aside what you can each month. That way the remaining balance isn't a surprise.
3. Ask about the furnace, too. Approved households may also qualify for help repairing or replacing a heating system, according to CDHS. That covers a furnace or a woodburning stove. If yours has been limping along, ask about it when you apply. Don't wait for it to quit on a cold night.
4. Don't skip weatherization. CDHS also lists weatherization services among the help approved households may qualify for. Heating assistance helps with this winter's bills. Weatherization is aimed at the home itself, so it can matter for winters after this one.
5. Know where the money goes. If you are approved, the payment normally goes straight to your utility, not to you. You also get a notice showing how much you qualify for. Keep that notice with your bills. Then check your next utility statements for the credit, and call if something doesn't match.
Pass it along
CDHS says LEAP serves eligible families, seniors and individuals. Some neighbors who could use it may not know it exists, or may assume it's only for someone else. A link shared at the right moment can be one of the most useful things a neighbor does all winter.
This week's challenge
By Tuesday, Nov. 10, open the LEAP page on the CDHS website. Read the eligibility and application details posted there, and decide one of two things:
If it looks like a fit for your household, start your application this week.
If it doesn't, send the link to one person you know who might benefit. That could be an older neighbor, a family stretched thin this fall, or a friend who just mentioned a scary gas bill.
Ten minutes of reading now can keep a household warmer through April. |
24 Comments
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Didn’t know the season started Nov 1, was waiting for colder weather. Applying now!
I never see info about LEAP at our apartment complex. They should post flyers or something.
Is the site mobile-friendly? My mom doesn’t have a computer, just her phone.
Asking for furnace help before it quits is key. Mine broke in December, worst timing ever.
Jeff G.That sounds rough. I worry about ours doing the same when it’s freezing. Definitely asking about repairs early this time.
It’s smart to look at last year’s bills now and plan. Ours always spike in January.
I just sent this to my neighbor up the street. She’s got three kids and the heater is ancient.
LEAP helped my parents last winter and it was a weight off their shoulders. Glad the program is back.
Does anybody know if you can get LEAP AND get help through your natural gas company? Or do you have to pick one?
You may be able to access both, LEAP benefits can work alongside other assistance programs, but it's best to check with both the LEAP office and your gas company to confirm how the benefits coordinate.
Never knew weatherization was available through this. Our place is drafty, applying today!
Wish this had been around when I was out of work a few years back. Really would have helped.
I shared the link with my sister. Her utility bills have been brutal this year.
Not sure why more people don’t talk about this every fall. Seems like a lifesaver for a lot of folks.
Can renters use LEAP or is it homeowners only? I can't find a straight answer anywhere.
Great question! Renters can absolutely apply for LEAP as long as they meet eligibility requirements and pay for their heat, regardless of whether they own or rent their home.
Weatherization is super important! Sealing gaps last winter really made a difference for us. Worth asking about.
I helped my grandma sign up for LEAP before. Application process was pretty fast, at least for us.
I didn’t realize the payment goes right to the utility. Was wondering how that worked!
Yes, that's right, the assistance payment typically goes directly to your utility, which helps ensure it's applied to your heating bill right away.
Good tip about keeping the notice with your bills. I threw mine away by accident last time and was totally confused about my statement.
Glad to hear the furnace repair is included. Ours is making weird noises again so I might ask about that.
Absolutely, if you're approved for LEAP, you may also qualify for help with furnace repairs or replacement, so be sure to ask about it when you apply!
Thanks for the reminder about applying early. I waited too long last year and missed out on a couple of months' help.