Thousands of Colorado families are rushing to beat the clock this week as the deadline to apply for heating assistance looms large. The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, better known as LEAP, officially closes applications at midnight on April 30th.

The program, which helped more than 83,000 households stay warm through Colorado’s brutal winter months, offers up to $1,000 to eligible families. For many, it’s a lifeline they can’t afford to miss.

Heating or Eating: A Stark Choice for Many Coloradans

For plenty of families, it’s a choice that feels almost cruel: pay the heating bill or put food on the table.
Theresa Kullen, who manages LEAP under the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), doesn’t sugarcoat the situation.
“The choice between heating or eating is real for too many in our communities,” Kullen said during Wednesday’s press announcement.

LEAP was set up to tackle exactly that heartbreaking decision. It’s not about covering the entire heating bill — it’s about offering enough help to keep the furnace running without blowing up the grocery budget.
Some families get a few hundred bucks. Others qualify for the full $1,000, depending on factors like:

• Household income

• Type of heating fuel (natural gas, electric, propane, wood)

• Family size and location

• Energy consumption rates

It’s not just about throwing money at a problem. Officials say it’s about giving vulnerable families breathing room during months when the thermostat dips into cruel territory.

Who’s Eligible — And Who’s Missing Out?

While over 83,000 Coloradans received help during this heating season, there are still thousands who qualify but haven’t applied yet.
Part of the issue? Awareness.
Part of the issue? Paperwork.

To qualify, applicants typically need to meet income limits. For example, a family of four must earn less than roughly $66,000 per year. Yet some families don’t even realize they qualify until it’s too late.

Even then, the process of proving income, residence, and heating costs can scare people off.
“It’s intimidating for some folks,” said Maria Ellis, a community outreach worker in Grand Junction. “They hear ‘government paperwork’ and immediately assume it’s gonna be a nightmare.”

The LEAP application itself isn’t especially complex, but like anything official, it requires documents — tax returns, utility bills, IDs — and that can slow people down.
One sentence: when you’re already stretched thin, even simple tasks feel ten times heavier.

How to Apply — and Beat the Deadline

Officials are practically begging eligible families not to wait until the final hours.
Applications must be submitted through the CDHS website before midnight on April 30th — and missing the deadline means missing out entirely until the next winter season.

Here’s what residents need ready to apply:

Community organizations like Energy Outreach Colorado are also stepping in to help applicants navigate the process, offering free assistance by phone and in person.

And yes, it’s still possible to apply if you’re not great with computers — some local offices offer walk-in support, but time is almost up.

Real Stories Behind the Numbers

Statistics paint a picture, sure. But it’s the personal stories that stick with you.
Take Vanessa James, a single mom of two in Pueblo.
“I didn’t even know LEAP existed until a neighbor told me,” she said. “Without that $700 grant, I don’t know how I would’ve kept the heat on when my hours got cut at work.”

Or Daniel Vargas, a retired veteran living on a fixed income in Durango.
He applied late last year and received enough help to get through the coldest months without falling behind on his other bills.
“Every little bit helps,” he said. “When you’re on Social Security, there’s not much extra lying around.”

These aren’t isolated cases. They’re happening all over Colorado — and they underscore just how critical programs like LEAP are, especially in a state where winter doesn’t mess around.