Congressionally passed funds will help low-income families fight costs and high heating bills during the winter season
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet announced Colorado will receive $64,075,983 for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help Colorado families cover home heating costs this winter.
Coloradans interested in learning more and applying for LIHEAP should visit https://cdhs.colorado.gov/leap.
“Coloradans shouldn’t pay more for heat because of Putin’s war in Ukraine,” said Hickenlooper. “This program will lower energy bills and keep working families safe and warm.”
“As global energy prices rise, this $64 million will help Colorado families stay warm and safe over the winter months, and avoid having to make difficult choices between paying energy bills or buying other critical necessities. No family should need to worry about how they’re going to heat their home, and I’m glad the administration listened to our call to deliver relief to the American people,” said Bennet.
The total funding includes $1 billion appropriated by Congress to address rising energy costs, as well as $100 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Hickenlooper helped write. Last month, Bennet joined a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to swiftly release funds for LIHEAP at the highest level possible as global energy costs are projected to rise this winter.
By assisting households with energy costs including home energy bills, minor energy-related home repairs, and weatherization costs to make homes more energy efficient, this LIHEAP funding will continue to keep Colorado families safe and healthy. According to the Colorado Department of Human Services, over 84,000 LIHEAP applications were approved for Low Income Families across the state last year.
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