As colder temperatures settle in, our customers often see a significant increase in natural gas usage - up to six times more than during warmer months. To help ease the burden of winter heating bills, we offer a range of support including payment assistance programs, rebates and energy-saving tips.
Beginning Nov. 1, eligible customers can apply for the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), a federally funded program that helps qualifying households cover winter home heating costs. Customers can apply:
- Online through Colorado PEAK.
- Call 1 (866) HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to apply by phone.
- Download a paper application and mail, email or drop it off at your county LEAP office.
- Pick up and drop off a paper application at your local county human services office.
- Call 1 (866) HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to request a paper application.
Since November 2025, $2 million in LEAP assistance has been provided to our customers.
Additional year-round assistance programs are available, including:
- Project COPE provides utilities payment assistance to anyone struggling financially due to a personal crisis or emergency, regardless of income. This is the only local organization that dedicates its entire funding to utilities payment assistance year-round. Project COPE provides year‑round utility assistance. In 2025, 2,394 local families received $1,534,053 in assistance. Customers can apply by calling Pikes Peak United Way 2-1-1.
- We partner with the Energy Resource Center to provide energy- and water-efficiency home improvements for qualifying residential customers through the Home Efficiency Assistance Program.
Energy efficient rebates
Save more money on your energy and water bills with our rebates and programs including HVAC, heat pump, insulation and smart thermostats. To qualify for the 2026 rebates, the purchase and installation of the energy-saving equipment must be completed by the end of December and application submitted by Jan. 31, 2027.
Payment options:
- Budget Billing is a free program designed to make monthly utility costs more predictable. By spreading payments evenly throughout the year, it helps customers avoid seasonal spikes in their bills.
- Pick My Payment Date allows customers the flexibility to choose a payment date that works best.
- Payment plans may be an option for those who need a little extra time to make a payment.
- Payment arrangements are available for people who require a long-term solution to get caught up on bills.
Learn more about all of our billing and payment options.
Energy savings tips
Follow these low or no-cost tips to help save energy and money:
- During colder months, change the direction of ceiling fans to rotate clockwise in order to pull cold air up and push warm air down.
- Apply caulk or weatherstripping to seal leaks around windows and doors to keep warm air in and cold air out. (Make sure it is above 45 degrees to apply caulking.)
- Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
- Check the furnace filter and change it when dirty. A clean filter allows the furnace to run more efficiently.
- Set the thermostat as low as is comfortable at night or when away from home. Earn a $50 rebate on a smart thermostat.
- Keep the fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning.
Learn more about energy efficiency rebates and ways to save.
