Colorado Continues Multi-Year Low-Income Energy Funding

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed legislation this month that will provide $13 million per year for low-income energy assistance and energy efficiency through 2011. The funds come from mineral and natural gas severance tax revenues generated primarily by natural gas production.

The $13 million will be split evenly between energy assistance and energy efficiency programs, and the energy assistance portion will be split evenly between the state LIHEAP office and Energy Outreach Colorado (EOR), the statewide fuel fund.

The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO), the federal weatherization grantee, will administer the funds for energy efficiency.

The state has provided low-income energy funds seven out of the last nine years, including 2006 legislation that provided $60 million for four years. 

In the past the LIHEAP office and EOR have used the state funds to increase energy assistance benefits and serve more low-income-households.

During 2007, the GEO used over $4 million of the funds for energy efficiency improvements in low-income housing, according to the first annual report on the state-funded energy efficiency services.

Over 22,000 households received energy efficiency services in all 64 counties.

Source: National Fuel Funds Network, GEO, EOC

Page Last Updated: May 23, 2008