Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps eligible households pay a portion of winter home-heating costs. The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) has announced the 2026–27 season. Applications are scheduled to open November 1, 2026, and the season runs through April 30, 2027. At this review, the application window has not opened. This is an upcoming cycle, not an invitation to submit before the opening date.

LEAP is federally funded and administered by CDHS with county human services offices. An approved benefit is generally paid directly to the household’s primary heating fuel vendor or utility. It helps offset winter heating costs; it is not a promise to pay the entire energy bill, and CDHS does not describe the regular benefit as unrestricted cash paid to the applicant.

2026–27 cycle at a glance

The deadline in the listing is the published final date of the season. The online portal and downloadable forms are due to become available on November 1. Anyone seeking help before then can call HEAT-HELP to ask whether assistance is available outside LEAP season; that does not mean the 2026–27 LEAP application is already open.

What the assistance covers

LEAP helps with a portion of a household’s primary home-heating costs. The expense may be billed directly by a utility or fuel provider, or in some circumstances included in rent. The state page says the amount varies with factors including the home’s primary heating costs, total household income, available LEAP funding, and the number of applications received. CDHS says households with higher primary heating fuel costs receive the highest benefits. It has not posted a 2026–27 award range on the page reviewed for this update, so an earlier season’s dollar range should not be assumed to apply.

In most cases, the payment goes directly to the primary heating fuel company. CDHS says an approved applicant receives a letter identifying the benefit amount and where it is being sent. Applicants should therefore provide accurate heating vendor or utility details and continue communicating with their provider. LEAP is intended to reduce a heating burden, not necessarily clear a full balance or replace normal bill-payment arrangements.

The regular LEAP benefit does not cover temporary or portable heating equipment, including portable electric heaters. The program also lists support for repair or replacement of an inoperable primary heating system, such as a furnace or wood-burning stove. That repair pathway has its own process; people with a heating emergency can call FOR MY HEAT at 1-855-469-4328 for information. Do not treat the repair service as a cash award for buying a portable heater.

Who may qualify

CDHS says applicants may qualify when household gross income does not exceed 60% of the state median income level, they pay home heating costs directly to a utility or through rent, and they provide the required lawful-presence documentation. The applicant must live in the dwelling named on the application. For LEAP, the household includes people living with the applicant for whom the applicant is financially responsible.

The published monthly gross income ceilings for the 2026–27 season are:

These are monthly gross-income limits, and the household-size definition matters. A household should use the row that matches the people for whom the applicant is financially responsible, then confirm how the official application asks them to report income. The table is specific to the 2026–27 season; it should not be reused for a later season without checking the current CDHS page.

Applicants must provide lawful-presence documentation for themselves and household members born outside the United States. CDHS lists a Naturalization Certificate, Born Abroad Certificate, U.S. Passport, Permanent Resident Card, and documentation of Refugee or Asylee status as examples of valid documents. Follow the application checklist for the exact documents to attach. The state checklist also asks for Social Security numbers and birth dates for everyone in the household.

Households where heating is included in rent may qualify if the applicant does not live in subsidized housing and supplies the proper documentation. CDHS specifically directs applicants to include a copy of the most recent rent receipt in place of a heating bill when heat is paid as part of rent. Because housing arrangements vary, contact HEAT-HELP or the county LEAP office if it is unclear what proof will be accepted.

Participation in other benefit programs does not by itself rule out LEAP. CDHS says receiving Medicare, Supplemental Security Income, Colorado Works/TANF, food assistance, Old Age Pension, or Aid to the Needy Disabled/Aid to the Blind does not prevent someone from applying. LEAP still applies its own income, residence, heating-cost, and documentation requirements.

How to apply for this season

Applications are accepted during the season from November 1 through April 30. CDHS says the online application on Colorado PEAK and downloadable LEAP forms become available on November 1. Once intake opens, applicants may use one of the routes listed by the state:

1. Apply online through the Colorado PEAK website.
2. Call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to apply by telephone or ask for a paper application to be mailed.
3. Download the LEAP application when CDHS posts it, then mail or email it to the county address listed in the official mailing and email address document.
4. Pick up or drop off an application at the local county human services office.

CDHS recommends online and telephone options and says an interview is not required. For a paper or county submission, use the county address and instructions published by CDHS for this season; do not rely on an old form or a remembered address. People facing a heating emergency should call HEAT-HELP to ask about the appropriate response.

A complete application can prevent avoidable delays. The CDHS checklist asks applicants to answer every question, include readable lawful-presence documentation for the applicant and household members born outside the United States, provide Social Security numbers and birth dates for all household members, and attach proof of monthly household income. For self-employment income, include receipts for expenses claimed on a profit-and-loss statement. Attach the most recent heating bill, or the most recent rent receipt when heat is included in rent, and sign the application. Check that it is being sent to the correct county LEAP office; if emailing, scan the completed form and supporting records and attach them to the email.

CDHS instructs applicants to provide pay stubs and proof of other income—including seasonal work, self-employment, public assistance, or veterans’ benefits—for all members of the applicant household for the month before the application is signed. Keep copies of the submitted form and documents, note the submission date, and watch for mail or phone requests for missing information. A request for additional documents can delay processing, so respond promptly using the directions in the notice.

After submission and other help

CDHS reports that most non-emergency applications are processed within 10–25 days when the file is complete. If heat is about to be shut off or a household is running out of propane, the state says a qualifying application may be expedited in about 10 days; call HEAT-HELP for guidance. Continue paying heating bills while waiting for a decision. If a balance is overdue, contact the utility or fuel company about a payment arrangement or budget billing where available.

If approved, the applicant generally receives a notice with the benefit amount and payment destination. CDHS says LEAP help is available once each season. Check the heating account to confirm the vendor received the payment and ask about any remaining balance. If the household still needs support, HEAT-HELP can explain whether other energy assistance is available.

The Crisis Intervention Program operates year-round and may help repair or replace a home’s primary heating system. CDHS directs people to FOR MY HEAT at 1-855-469-4328 for information. Weatherization assistance through the state energy office may help improve a home’s energy efficiency and reduce heating costs. Energy Outreach Colorado may offer other bill assistance. These programs have separate rules and should be contacted directly; they do not change the LEAP opening date or the income table above.

Questions to check before applying

Can I submit an application now? Not through the 2026–27 intake as described by CDHS. The state says applications will begin November 1, 2026. Call HEAT-HELP if you need help before the season begins.

Is there a guaranteed dollar award? No. CDHS says the amount varies based on primary heating costs, household income, funding, and applications received. It does not state a fixed 2026–27 range on its LEAP page.

Can renters qualify? Yes, potentially, when heating is included in rent and the applicant meets the program requirements. CDHS says applicants in this situation should provide a recent rent receipt and notes that subsidized housing is treated differently.

Can I use LEAP for a portable heater? No. The state says temporary and portable heating sources are not covered by the regular benefit.

Does an application require an interview? CDHS says an interview is not required. It does require a complete application and supporting documents.

Where can I confirm forms, county mailing details, or changes? Use the official CDHS LEAP page below. It is the source for the new season’s forms and county instructions. For application questions, call HEAT-HELP at 1-866-432-8435.

Official links

• Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), Colorado Department of Human Services
• Colorado PEAK application portal
• HEAT-HELP: 1-866-432-8435
• FOR MY HEAT: 1-855-469-4328
• Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The official CDHS page is the reference for the 2026–27 intake date, application methods, income guidelines, and checklist. Confirm those instructions when intake opens, since CDHS may post application forms or further guidance then.