• $4 million contributed to a statewide network of 95 assistance agencies that operate year round.
• $2.15 million donated to the state’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program that operates November through April.

Energy Outreach Colorado distributed a record $7.65 million last year, including $3 million in state mineral and energy severance taxes. The state’s contribution from those taxes for 2006-07 is $1 million. Colorado’s LEAP program distributed a record $59 million last year but also anticipates reduced federal and state funding this year. It plans to distribute around $32 million to low-income households. With these changes, Colorado’s energy assistance funding this year will be significantly reduced.

Natural gas prices are predicted to be slightly lower than last year. However, the anticipated drop in energy assistance funding will hamper the ability of Colorado’s income-limited families and seniors to remain current on their bills. These households will face paying about 40% more in utility costs during the winter months.

Energy Outreach Colorado typically pays the portion of a household’s past-due energy bill that ensures their utility service isn’t shut off, so they can then establish a plan to pay off the balance and stay current on their bill moving forward. Energy Outreach payments – which are made directly to utility companies – have necessarily increased along with energy costs.

“The energy bill situation for some income-limited families is like a glacier being built,” said Skip Arnold, executive director of Energy Outreach Colorado. “This may be the second or third year in a row in which they are going into the winter with a $500 or higher balance. Many households have been affected by illness or a job layoff, or have senior citizens who can’t cut anything else out of their budgets.”

One sobering indicator is the 2006 Homelessness in Metropolitan Denver study, in which 13 percent of respondents indicated that the major contributing factor to their homelessness was their inability to pay home utility bills.

For information about how to get assistance or make a donation, go to our website at www.EnergyOutreach.org or call toll-free 1-866 HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435).

• Energy Outreach Colorado plans to distribute $6.15 million in energy assistance in 2006-07.
• Between Oct. 1, 2005 and Sept. 30, 2006, Energy Outreach Colorado and the Colorado LEAP program helped nearly 121,000 households pay a portion of their energy bills, an increase of about 25% over 2004-05.
• In 2005-06, EOC distributed a record $7.65 million in energy assistance and Colorado LEAP distributed nearly $59 million. This included one-time contributions from the State of Colorado and Xcel Energy.
• The average annual income for households receiving EOC assistance last year was less than $15,000. EOC’s average payment was about $379 – up 35% from the previous year.
• More than 59% of the households receiving EOC assistance last year included children, 23% were led by a disabled family member and 11% were led by a senior citizen.

RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE

• Between Oct. 1, 2005 and June 1, 2006, Energy Outreach Colorado and the Colorado LEAP program helped more than 114,000 households pay a portion of their energy bills, an increase of about 15 percent over last year.
• Between Oct. 1, 2005 and Sept. 30, 2006, EOC plans to distribute $7.65 million in energy assistance, an increase of $1.5 million compared to last year.
• Due to increasing energy bills, the average Energy Outreach Colorado benefit provided to each household increased by about 19 percent to $327, compared to $274 in 2004-05.
• The 2005-06 average Colorado LEAP benefit, which EOC helped fund, increased by about 50% to $550, compared to $366 in 2004-05.
• Energy assistance payments were made directly to energy providers as credits to the bills of approved recipients. Providers included vendors and utility companies across Colorado that sell coal, kerosene, fuel, oil, natural gas, electricity, firewood and propane. Energy assistance payments help reduce collection costs for providers, and thus reduce the impact on rates for all customers.

ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO OUTLOOK, FALL 2006
BY SKIP ARNOLD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
After being shocked by skyrocketing energy prices the last three years, we are relieved that Colorado’s natural gas prices are projected to be slightly lower this upcoming winter compared to last year. Most of us are fortunate enough to know we can pay our energy bills without having to sacrifice other needs.

But as many as 370,000 income-limited households in Colorado do not have that assurance. This winter could actually be the most difficult they have experienced. That is because federal and state energy assistance funding will be sharply reduced from last year’s emergency levels. We anticipate that households qualifying for energy assistance will have to pay a larger percentage of their utility costs this winter – up from 48% last year to 73% this year. That calculates to an average of $716 for November through April compared to $513 last winter, a 40% increase.

With fewer public funds available, will Colorado have enough energy assistance funding to meet this winter’s need? It remains to be seen.
The state’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program went into effect in September, with energy companies across the state launching new programs to benefit energy assistance. We’re gratified for their support and we’re already seeing positive results from many generous donors like you.

In addition, voters in the City of Denver recently approved a new franchise agreement with Xcel Energy that will generate about $2 million a year for energy assistance. The agreement eliminates a slight exemption from the previous franchise fee on Xcel Energy bills, with the resulting funds going to energy assistance. It also requires Xcel Energy to make a $100,000 annual contribution to the City for energy assistance and energy improvements.

The rest is up to you, our many concerned and generous donors. As always, thank you for supporting the critical need for adequate energy assistance funding in our state. You make such a positive difference in the lives of Colorado’s most vulnerable residents.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gayle Berry
Melanie Daly
Dian Callaghan
Adam Goldman
John Harpole
Joel Johnson
Jim Lightner
Michael McFadden
Tom O’Donnell
Mark Sexton
Mark Sunderhuse

STAFF
Skip Arnold, Executive Director
Sean Cone, Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Gremmert, Deputy Director
Peggy Hofstra, Communications Director
Jennie Miller, Assistant Deputy Director
Rose Reed, Director of Administrative Services
Bethany Therrien, Director of Web & Database Management
Shelly Wallace, Director of Long-term Energy Solutions

To learn more visit us online at www.EnergyOutreach.org or call 303-825-8750.

COLORADO LAUNCHES NEW ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Colorado’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, which was signed into law in May 2005, officially took effect this September when energy companies operating in the state launched new efforts to raise funds for energy assistance.
The six investor-owned utilities in Colorado are now offering their customers the opportunity to make a tax-deductible monthly donation to Energy Outreach Colorado by simply checking a box on their energy bill. They are Xcel Energy, Atmos Energy, Aquila, Kinder Morgan, Eastern Colorado Utilities, and Colorado Natural Gas.
Several rural electric cooperatives also are offering monthly donation options to their customers, including: Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA) in Sedalia, La Plata Electric Association in Durango, Grand Valley Rural Power Lines in Grand Junction, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association in Fort Collins.
The other utilities operating in the state, including more than 50 municipally-owned energy providers and rural electric cooperatives, have identified other programs to raise funds for energy assistance to their customers. Some support Energy Outreach Colorado specifically and others support local organizations.
In addition, many of these companies are matching their customer’s contributions, including: Atmos Energy, Kinder Morgan and Aquila – unlimited matching; Xcel Energy – up to $1 million; IREA – up to $75,000; Empire Electric Association – up to $10,000; and United Power – up to $7,500.
Energy Outreach Colorado anticipates these new efforts will raise an additional $1.5 million overall this year to assist Colorado families. If you’d like to participate, please go to our website for a complete listing of programs for all utilities: www.EnergyOutreach.org/sb1programs.asp.

ENERGY OUTREACH AWARDS NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANTS
Energy Outreach Colorado is awarding nearly $600,000 in grants to 13 Colorado organizations in 2006-07 to fund energy efficiency upgrades for new and renovated affordable housing projects across the state.
As a result, residents will use less energy to heat and light their homes, allowing them to stay warm and safe while reducing their energy costs.
“We can’t control how high energy prices will climb, but we can control how much we use,” said Shelly Wallace, EOC’s director of long-term energy solutions. “Programs to make homes more efficient and provide energy saving training are essential to helping residents remain healthy and safe for the long-term.”
The grant recipients include:

• Adams County Housing Authority
• Boulder Housing Partners
• Center for Resource Conservation
• Center Housing Authority
• Colorado Energy Science Center
• Colorado Rural Housing Development Corporation
• Colorado Springs Utilities

In addition, Energy Outreach is awarding $30,000 in grants to promote energy conservation education to the following:

• The Colorado Energy Science Center
• Huerfano/Las Animas Housing Resources

“The interest in energy efficient housing projects and conservation education has increased among developers, educators and donors since our long-term energy solutions program began nearly 10 years ago,” said Wallace. “I expect interest will continue to grow as energy costs and supplies remain an important issue for us all.”
A complete list of grant recipients and projects is available at www.EnergyOutreach.org.

NEW SEASON FOR THE ENERGY HOG TRAVELING ROAD SHOW
Kids are back in school and the Energy Hog is getting his back pack ready for another exciting Energy Hog Traveling Road Show season. Energy Outreach Colorado and the Colorado Energy Science Center welcome a new partner – the Mile High Youth Corps – to help in the delivery of a fun, hands-on energy conservation education program.

The free elementary school program is offered to students in grades three through six in income-qualifying schools throughout Colorado. The program is funded through Energy Outreach Colorado and three grants from the Scientific Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). The SCFD grants allow EOC to reach schools in Douglas, Broomfield and Adams counties.

Members from Mile High Youth Corps will help present the Energy Hog Traveling Road Show throughout the school year. Through an entertaining, game-show format featuring a life-sized Energy Hog character, students learn about where energy comes from, how energy is used, how energy is wasted and how to save energy. Classroom materials are provided to teachers to further explore the topic and reinforce key concepts.

Since the Energy Hog Traveling Road Show was created in 2003, it has visited nearly 150 schools and reached over 20,000 students and families. For more information about this program, contact Shelly Wallace at 303-825-8750 ext. 230.

ASSISTANCE HELPS FAMILY COPE
Terri May has less to worry about going into this winter, thanks to energy assistance funding from Energy Outreach Colorado.

The Greeley resident, a single mother with two teenaged children at home, struggled for months to keep up with her mounting energy bills. Medical and car repair bills, as well as attorney’s fees resulting from a recent divorce, all hit at once and were stretching her limited income beyond the breaking point.

The stress of supporting her family and adjusting to her divorce were taking a toll on her health as well. Then she received a disconnect notice from Atmos Energy.
“Things just seemed to go from bad to worse,” said May, who worked at State Farm Insurance for 20 years before taking a more flexible position as an office assistant at a local sand and gravel pit. “Going from a family with two incomes to living off of not even half of what we had been making, I got really far behind on the bills. It seemed like there was no where to go.”

May, who had contributed to United Way for many years, called Atmos Energy and Xcel Energy to set up payment plans for her natural gas and electric bills. She also checked to see if there was any assistance available.  “I’ve never really had to ask for help before, and it’s hard,” she said.

Fortunately, Energy Outreach Colorado received additional energy assistance funding from state mineral and energy severance taxes last spring and was working with Atmos Energy to provide energy assistance to their customers who had already received LEAP but were still in danger of being disconnected. May was one of the recipients.

“I was just so shocked and relieved, I even called Atmos Energy to double check,” she said. She sent Atmos Energy a thank you letter in which she stated, “You’ve given me the faith that I thought I had lost in knowing that there is hope, even in the worst situations.”

BOYER’S COFFEE HELPING WARM COLORADANS
Boyer’s Coffee is sponsoring its third annual promotion to raise funds for low-income energy assistance through coffee sales.

Boyer’s, a Colorado-based, family-owned company, will donate $1 from every 2.5-pound bag of its Kona Blend coffee sold in Sam’s Clubs outlets across Colorado and 50 cents from every 1-pound bag of Rocky Mountain Thunder coffee sold in WalMart Superstores. The promotion runs from November 1, 2006, through January 31, 2007.

Funds raised will be distributed by Energy Outreach Colorado to about 100 emergency assistance sites across the state. Boyer’s was founded in 1965 and is a strong supporter of causes important to Colorado.

Energy Outreach Colorado is gratified for the ongoing support of Boyer’s Coffee, which has contributed nearly $20,000 toward energy assistance.

ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO NAMED OUTSTANDING COLORADO FOUNDATION
Energy Outreach Colorado has been named the state’s Outstanding Foundation in 2006 in conjunction with National Philanthropy Day in Colorado.

National Philanthropy Day is celebrated across the country each November to recognize individuals and organizations who donate time, talent and financial resources to worthy causes. Energy Outreach Colorado was nominated by Habitat for Humanity of Colorado for demonstrating “outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and community involvement.”

Energy Outreach Colorado will be recognized at the 2006 National Philanthropy Day in Colorado awards luncheon in Denver on November 3.

SPOTLIGHT
GOLF BENEFIT RAISES $60,000 FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE
National Fuel Marketing, a natural gas marketing company based in Denver, hosted the Second Annual Natural Gas Industry Charity Golf Tournament to benefit Energy Outreach Colorado on Sept. 14 at the Homestead in Lakewood. The event raised more than $60,000.

Other major sponsors of the event were St. Mary Land & Exploration, Orion Energy Partners, Enserco Energy, American National Bank, Hein & Associates, National Fuel Corporation, Noble Energy, Innovest Portfolio Solutions, Guaranty Bank and Trust Company, Enterprise Texas Pipeline, RTS – Oil and Gas Recruiting Specialists, Duke Energy Field Services, Bentek Energy, Aspect Energy and Newfield Exploration Company.

“Being in the energy industry, we at National Fuel Marketing are particularly aware of and sensitive to current historically high energy costs, and how they impact our fellow Colorado citizens,” said National Fuel Marketing President Dan Joss. “We want to do something in the community to help those who struggle to cope with this issue, especially in the winter when the needs are greatest.”

Natural gas prices tripled in Colorado over the past three years and are expected to remain nearly as high this winter.
“All too often, income-limited seniors or families feel forced to sacrifice food or medical care during winter months in order to afford to heat their homes,” said Skip Arnold, executive director of Energy Outreach Colorado. “Coloradans, and especially those who need energy assistance, are extremely fortunate to have the strong support of the oil and gas industry right here in our state. We couldn’t provide the funding we do for bill payment assistance and energy efficiency upgrades for affordable housing without their ongoing generosity.”

Energy Outreach is the only statewide organization that raises money and distributes energy assistance funding year round through a network of more than 100 emergency assistance sites.

ENERGY OUTREACH PILOT PROGRAM TO LESSEN DEPENDENCE ON ASSISTANCE
Energy Outreach Colorado is testing a program to combine energy assistance with weatherization services to help income-limited residents manage their energy costs.

“We’re bringing these services together in hopes of lessening dependence on energy assistance by decreasing long-term energy usage,” said Shelly Wallace, director of energy solutions for Energy Outreach Colorado.

“We anticipate that we can help the household save money, improve the safety and health of their home and positively impact the environment,” she added. “We’ll also be able to evaluate the benefits of weatherization in measurable terms.”

The Home Energy Assistance and Weatherization Project is targeting six homes in the Denver area selected with the help of Denver Urban Ministries (DenUM) and Cross Community Coalition, which receive energy assistance funding from Energy Outreach.

Energy Outreach will pay off each resident’s energy bill so that participants begin the program with a “zero” balance. Sun Power will provide personalized weatherization services for each home, based on an energy bill and home efficiency analysis conducted by the Colorado Energy Science Center. The residents also will receive conservation education.

During the next twelve months, energy bills for the homes will be analyzed to measure reductions in energy usage compared to the previous year. The findings will be used to measure the impact of specific weatherization measures and develop a statewide program.

“We’re happy to support any program that helps struggling residents keep more of their money so that they can better afford heat and other necessities like housing, medication and food,” said Alex Delgado, case manager for DenUM. “High energy costs are frightening for our clients, who every day live with the very real possibility of being disconnected.”

EMPLOYER PROGRAMS CAN BENEFIT ENERGY ASSISTANCE
If you participate in an employee giving program, consider directing your donation to Energy Outreach Colorado. If you are a Denver-area federal employee, you can contribute to Energy Outreach Colorado by selecting number 4031. If your company participates in a United Way program, you can designate your contribution specifically to Energy Outreach Colorado.

FREE ENERGY SAVING INFORMATION AVAILABLE
As part of our energy efficiency education program, Energy Outreach Colorado is offering free information about home energy efficiency and savings.

Included in the packet is a Saving Energy in Colorado guide, which is available in both English and Spanish. This information is available to anyone and provides no-cost, low-cost and higher-cost suggestions for saving home energy.

The Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation provides funding for this educational program, including a $20,000 grant for 2006-07. Since 2002, nearly 45,000 information packets have been distributed to residents across Colorado.

To request an Energy Saving Information Packet, please call toll-free 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) and select Option 3.

CHARITABLE ENERGY NETWORK
Thanks to your generous donations, Energy Outreach Colorado is providing $6.15 million in 2006-07 energy assistance funding to the following agencies:
ACS - LIFT
Adams County Housing Authority
Advocates Against Domestic Violence
Almost Home
Association for Senior Citizens
Aurora InterChurch Task Force
Boulder County AIDS Project
Brain Injury Association, Colorado
Broadway Assistance Center
Care and Share
Caring Ministries of Morgan County
Castle Rock Community Inter-Church Task Force
Catholic Charities, Denver
Catholic Charities, Pueblo
City of Arvada Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization
City of Fountain
Clear Creek Department of Human Services
Colorado East Community Action Agency
Colorado Health Network
Community Budget Center
Community Emergency Assistance Coalition
Community Ministry
Community United Methodist Church, Pagosa Springs
Cooperating Ministry of Logan County
Cross Community Coalition
Crossroads Ministry, Estes Park
Denver Indian Health and Family Services
Denver Urban Ministries
Emergency Family Assistance Association
EMPOWERMENT
Family & Intercultural Resource Center
First Mennonite Church
First Presbyterian Church of Salida
Grand Valley Catholic Outreach
Gunnison/Hinsdale County Department of Human Services
Help the Needy
Helping Hearts and Hands
Holy Cross Energy
House of Neighborly Service
Independent Life Center
Inter-Church ARMS
Inter-Faith Community Services
Jackson County Department of Human Services
Jeffco Action Center
La Puente Home
Lake County Department of Human Services
Las Animas Helping Hands
Lift-Up, Routt County
Loaves and Fishes Ministry
Lowry Family Center
MADA
Manna House
Metro CareRing
Mountain Family Center
Mountain Resource Center
National MS Society, Colorado Chapter
Northern Churches Care
Northern Colorado AIDS Project
OUR Center
Phillips County Department of Human Services
Pikes Peak Community Action Agency
Pinon Project
POCCAA
Pregnancy Resource Center
Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers Foundation
Rural Communities Resource Center
Salvation Army, Colorado Springs
Salvation Army, Denver
Salvation Army, Teller County
Salvation Army, Vail Valley
San Juan Cooperative Parish
Sedgwick County Economic Development
Senior Support Services
Seniors! Inc.
Seniors’ Resource Center
Sense of Security
South Central Council of Governments
Southern Colorado AIDS Project
St. Vincent De Paul Society
The Home Front Cares
Tri-Lakes Cares
United Methodist Church, Dove Creek
WARM
Western Colorado AIDS Project

METRO CARERING
Metro CareRing, an emergency assistance agency located in central Denver, serves more than 10,000 households a year. The agency was started in 1974 by five downtown churches to address an increasing need in the community for services including food, toiletries, bus tokens, ID documents, and other basic needs, including a welcoming ear to listen.

During the past year, Metro CareRing distributed more than $240,000 in energy assistance funding provided by Energy Outreach Colorado to more than 400 families.

“We’re proud of our partnership with Energy Outreach Colorado to provide energy assistance to those in need,” said Jon Holmer, executive director of Metro CareRing. “The energy assistance, combined with meeting basic needs, advocacy, mentoring support and ecumenical work, truly help us provide a ring of care to those in need in the community.”

Metro CareRing strives to help clients make long-term changes that will improve their lives. The agency registers clients to vote so they can participate in the democratic process. Metro CareRing also serves as an advocate at the state and federal level on such issues as hunger, poverty, health care and affordable housing.

In the last year, Metro CareRing launched two new initiatives. One is to provide new service hours in conjunction with Muslims Intent on Learning and Activism. The other is a mentoring program for preventing homelessness, done in partnership with Jewish Family Services.

STAY SAFE WHILE STAYING WARM
As temperatures begin to drop along with the autumn leaves, be sure to take extra caution to keep your home warm AND safe.

“This time of year, people begin using more energy for heating and lighting while taking extra steps to seal out outside air,” says Shelly Wallace, director of energy education for Energy Outreach Colorado.

Wallace offers these tips to consider for keeping your home warm and safe:

• Make sure heating vents are not blocked and that your furnace is cleaned and maintained. Change furnace filters once every two months and do not store flammable liquids in the same room.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector near bedrooms to detect dangerous build-ups of carbon monoxide.
• If you use a wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney inspected and cleaned annually and use a sturdy fireplace screen.
• Watch candles carefully and use sturdy, safe candleholders that can collect dripping wax. Keep them away from children and anything that can ignite. Blow them out when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Wallace notes that portable space heaters are not the most efficient or safe way to heat your home, but if you choose to use them, please follow these safety steps:

• Make sure your portable electric space heater carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory (US, CSA or ETL) and has an automatic shut-off feature.
• Operate a portable space heater only when an adult is in the room and keep it at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
• Never use your oven as a heating source, and do not use heating or cooking devices intended for outdoor use inside your home.
• Residents worried about being able to afford their energy bill can call toll-free 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) or go to Energy Outreach Colorado’s website at www.EnergyOutreach.org.

SHARE THE WARMTH
Energy Outreach Colorado is giving away a Share the Warmth Gift Basket! Submit your entry today by going to www.EnergyOutreach.org. The winning entry will be drawn at noon on Nov. 17, 2006. Because your privacy is important to us your information will be used for EOC purposes only and will not be shared or sold.