ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO HELPING PAY NEARLY 100,000 ENERGY BILLS
Nearly 100,000 Colorado households will have received help from Energy Outreach Colorado energy assistance funds when the 2006-07 season ends in October.
Energy Outreach is providing $6.15 million in energy assistance funding through four quarterly distributions in 2006-07, the last of which will be in August. Of that, $1.15 million was granted to Colorado’s LEAP program, which stopped taking applications for assistance on April 30 and will reopen on November 1.

The remaining $5 million in energy assistance funding is being distributed through the end of October to nearly 100 emergency assistance sites across the state. These agencies are part of the Charitable Energy Network and provide energy assistance funding year-round to families, seniors on fixed incomes and people with special health needs.

Although winter heating costs were slightly lower than the previous year, this has been the toughest season on record for Colorado’s income-limited residents. Federal and state funding reductions resulted in a drop in the average amount of energy assistance that LEAP provided each household – from $550 in 2005-06 to $317 this season.
Energy Outreach Colorado, which was created by the Governor’s Office in 1989 to supplement federal funding, increased its average household payment from $314 in 2005-06 to $343 this year. Energy Outreach also contributed $600,000 in grants to provide energy efficiency upgrades to affordable housing and to provide educational programs through schools and other community organizations.

“As traditional funding sources such as the federal government continue to be constrained, the contributions of our donors are becoming more and more critical to helping all Coloradans be able to continue to afford home energy,” said Skip Arnold, executive director for Energy Outreach Colorado.
To get information about making a donation or receiving assistance, go to our website at www.EnergyOutreach.org or call toll-free 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435).


2006-07 ENERGY ASSISTANCE FACTS
• Between Oct. 1, 2006 and June 1, 2007, Energy Outreach Colorado and the Colorado LEAP program helped nearly 100,000 households pay a portion of their energy bills.
• Between Oct. 1, 2006, and Sept. 30, 2007, Energy Outreach will distribute $6.15 million in energy assistance and $600,000 in energy efficiency grants.
• The average Energy Outreach Colorado benefit provided to each household increased by about 8 percent to $343, compared to $314 in 2005-06 and $269 the previous year.
• Energy assistance payments were made directly to energy providers as credits to the bills of approved recipients. Providers included vendors and utility companies 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
BY SKIP ARNOLD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The road to self-sufficiency can be short and straight for some, long and winding for others. Whatever the path, Energy Outreach Colorado’s goal is to help all Coloradans get to the point where they can afford home energy.

Our approach is three-fold. First, we distribute funds for energy assistance to help households on limited incomes or experiencing a crisis keep current on their energy bills until they can again manage them on their own. In relation to this goal, we represent the interests of low-income Coloradans in discussions with state policy makers to maintain affordable energy costs.

Second, we provide grants to support the energy efficiency of affordable housing so that income-limited households can afford home energy without assistance. This includes providing access to technologies that can save energy and positively impact the environment – such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and high-efficiency appliances. Recently, we expanded our scope with the help of several foundations to help non-profit facilities such as homeless shelters and residential treatment programs obtain energy audits and weatherization services.

Third, we provide education and information about how to use energy wisely. Our Energy Hog program introduces youth in grades 3-6 to the concepts of where energy comes from, how it powers our lives, and how we can conserve energy and protect the environment. We recently partnered with Xcel Energy and Habitat for Humanity of Colorado to produce a consumer education video that describes how to manage home energy use.

All of these efforts are supported through your generous donations. We thank you for the opportunity to impact so many lives in such positive ways.
Self-sufficiency. Pass it on.

HELPFUL RESOURCES
• For a copy of our home energy education video, please e-mail Shelly Wallace at swallace@EnergyOutreach.org
• For tips on saving energy in your home, please go to www.EnergyOutreach.org/tips.asp
• To learn about what’s new at the Governor’s Energy Office, go to www.state.co.us/oemc/
• For more information about the Energy Hog Traveling Road Show, e-mail Shelly Wallace at swallace@EnergyOutreach.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gayle Berry
Howard Boigon
Dian Callaghan
Melanie Daly
Adam Goldman
John Harpole
Joel Johnson
Jim Lightner
Patricia Nelson Limerick
Michael McFadden
Tom O’Donnell
Mark Sexton
Mark Sunderhuse
Jack Swift
Troy Whitmore


STAFF
Skip Arnold, Executive Director
Sean Cone, Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Gremmert, Deputy Director
Peggy Hofstra, Communications Director
Lisa McDonald, Development 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.


LAFAYETTE AGENCY PART OF ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO NETWORK
Sister Carmen Community Center, East Boulder County’s largest non-profit food bank and thrift store, began distributing energy assistance funds from Energy Outreach Colorado last fall.

By May, the agency had helped 15 households in Lafayette, Louisville, Erie and Superior catch up on overdue energy bills. Some hadn’t been able to pay their utility bill in months and were in danger of being disconnected.

“Energy assistance helps keep these families in their home and saves them from having to move in with different family members or pull their kids out of school,” said Suzanne Crawford, Sister Carmen’s chief executive officer. “Without the energy assistance funds provided by Energy Outreach Colorado, I think a lot more people would be on the street.”

Energy assistance is one of the many valuable services the agency has provided since opening in 1976 in the back room of a Lafayette dry cleaning business. The namesake and inspiration for the non-profit was Sister Carmen Ptaniak, who came to Lafayette’s Immaculate Conception parish in 1970 through the Daughters of Charity. She was a familiar visitor to many of the poor and migrant workers in the community and began distributing food, clothing and other necessities.

After she left the area, her work was carried on by others until IBM provided funds to start the non-sectarian center. In 2002, the agency moved into its current building provided by the City of Lafayette upon land donated by the Masons. In 2006, Sister Carmen Community Center provided help to more than 13,000 people, including emergency food to 3,750 households, 765 Thanksgiving baskets and 500 Christmas food baskets.

With more than 120 active volunteers who put in more than 10,000 hours a year, the agency is supported through its thrift store operations and cash and in-kind donations. For more information go to www.sistercarmen.org or call 303-665-4342.


RECIPIENT STORY
Jaime went to the Sister Carmen Community Center for help after she was seriously injured while working as a registered nurse and her husband of 11 years subsequently lost his job. With no income coming in and three children under the age of 10 to care for, Jaime needed help making ends meet until she could receive disability payments and her husband could find employment.

Fortunately, their family received help with food and energy assistance from Sister Carmen and they were able to keep up with their utility bill until they could move into a smaller home.

“We pretty much downsized everything that we could, and the only thing we couldn’t pay was our utility bill,” Jaime said. “It’s been very hard and stressful and we truly couldn’t have done it without getting energy assistance. I think it’s a wonderful program.”


COLORADO AVALANCHE FUND SUPPORTS ENERGY ASSISTANCE
Energy Outreach Colorado is among eight Colorado non-profit agencies that recently received a contribution from the Colorado Avalanche Community Fund, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation.

Energy Outreach received $7,500 to provide additional energy assistance funding to income-qualified Coloradans who need help paying their home energy bills. Since 2005, Energy Outreach has received $22,500 from the fund.

The Colorado Avalanche Community Fund (CACF) supports local and statewide, non-profit organizations that serve the needs of low-income children and families. Funds raised are matched by the McCormick Tribune Foundation at a significant percentage. Since inception, the CACF has granted more than $11 million to hundreds of non-profit agencies in Colorado.


GAS INDUSTRY GOLF EVENT TO BENEFIT EOC
Please mark your calendar for the Third Annual National Gas Industry Golf Tournament sponsored by National Fuel Marketing Co. to benefit Energy Outreach Colorado. This not-to-be-missed event is scheduled for Thursday, August 23, at the Inverness Golf Club in Englewood. Foursomes are filling up fast.

Registration is $200/player or $750/team and includes lunch, golf and the awards reception. Last year’s event raised more than $55,000 to help seniors, individuals with special needs and income-limited families in Colorado pay a portion of their energy bills.

This year’s organizers hope to raise more than $125,000 for energy assistance. Supporting the event is St. Mary Land & Exploration Company which donated $50,000 as a Platinum Sponsor. Other current supporters include Enserco Energy Company, Hein & Associates and Rosetta Resources Operating LP.

To register and to view what other teams are participating, please go to www.EnergyOutreach.org/golf.asp or call Jennifer Gremmert at 303-226-5052.


TEE OFF FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Energy Outreach Colorado is a beneficiary of this year’s annual golf tournament hosted by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA). The event will be held Tuesday, July 31, at The Ranch Country Club in Westminster.

CHFA covers the costs for the tournament so all sponsorships and cash donations go to Energy Outreach Colorado and the other recipient, Urban Peak. Last year’s event raised $108,000 to support Senior Housing Options. For more information, contact Alison Medina at CHFA at 303-297-7302.


NEEP WINS NATIONAL AWARD
A new Energy Outreach Colorado program to help non-profit facilities such as homeless shelters reduce energy costs and protect the environment has received national recognition through the National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN), a Washington, D.C.-based organization comprised of 250 organizations involved with raising and distributing money for energy assistance.

Energy Outreach Colorado accepted the Victorine Q. Adams award for its Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP) at the NFFN annual conference in June. The award, which commemorates the founder of one of the nation’s first fuel funds (Baltimore Fuel Fund), recognizes an innovation or new program that has made a positive impact on the low-income community.

NEEP provides qualifying non-profit facilities in Denver with free energy efficiency upgrades through an innovative collaboration between Energy Outreach Colorado and the City and County of Denver.

The concept was first piloted last year with the help of funding from Xcel Energy Foundation, Denver Foundation, Daniels Fund, Mile High United Way, and an in-kind contribution from the Governor’s Energy Office. To date, six nonprofit organizations throughout the metro area have been served through NEEP. Plans are to expand the program statewide once funding is secured.

Organizations that may qualify for NEEP funds can call 303-226-5057 for more information.


STUDY FINDS MANY COLORADANS STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY
One of the organizations that Energy Outreach Colorado works with on energy poverty issues – the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute – has released a new demographic study regarding poverty in Colorado.

The study, “Overlooked and Undercounted: Struggling to Make Ends Meet in Colorado,” indicates that a large and diverse proportion of Colorado families are struggling to make ends meet. This report parallels an Energy Outreach Colorado finding that one in five Colorado families does not have enough income to meet basic costs of living, including home energy.

A summary of the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute report can be found in English and Spanish at www.cclponline.org/ccs/current_pubs.php.


SPOTLIGHT
Energy Outreach Colorado is fortunate to have the generous support of corporations, foundations and individuals like you who are committed to helping all Coloradans afford home energy. We would like to spotlight some of our recent donations and thank all of you for your continuing support:
• Energy companies operating in Colorado contribute significantly each year by matching their customers’ and employees’ donations. Companies that participated in the 2006-07 season are: Xcel Energy, Atmos Energy, Aquila, SourceGas (formerly Kinder Morgan), United Power, Empire Electric Association and Intermountain Rural Electric Association.
• Colorado’s oil and gas community has been a tremendous supporter of Energy Outreach Colorado the last several years. Major contributors for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2006 include: Xcel Energy ($1.75 million), St. Mary Land & Exploration Company ($100,000), Atmos Energy ($67,000), EnCana ($50,000), Holy Cross Energy ($50,000), Noble Energy ($50,000), Aquila ($45,000), Sampson Resources ($25,000), Yampa Valley Electric Association ($24,000), Anadarko Petroleum ($10,000), Mountain View Electric Association ($10,000), Citrus Energy Corporation ($5,000), Colorado Springs Utilities ($5,000), Colorado Oil & Gas Association-North Central Chapter ($5,000), Emerald Operating Company ($5,000), Herbaly Exploration ($5,000) and San Miguel Power Association ($5,000).
• Foundations that recently awarded grants of more than $2,500 to Energy Outreach Colorado include: the Colorado Avalanche Community Fund and CW2 Gives, funds of the McCormick Tribune Foundation; the Denver Foundation; EnCana Cares Foundation; Humphreys Foundation; Lightner Family Foundation; Peierls Foundation; Petrie Family Foundation; Schlessman Family Foundation; and the Susan M. Lindsey Fund.
• Conifer High School and Meeker High School awarded Energy Outreach Colorado grants through the El Pomar Youth in Community Program. This program works directly with high school students to introduce them to the importance of leadership, service, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sectors.
• The 2006-07 Boyer Coffee Company promotion at Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart raised more than $6,000 for energy assistance.
• Recent gift donations were made in the names of Lisa & Stephen Friedman, Keith and Lindsay Campbell, Cole & Erin Murphy, and C.R. Haines and Family. For information about making a gift to Energy Outreach Colorado in tribute to someone or as part of your estate plan, contact Jennifer Gremmert at 303-226-5052.


HOLY CROSS ENERGY HONORED
Holy Cross Energy representatives Kathy Murray, Mary Lewis and Society Hunt accept a plaque from Energy Outreach Colorado recognizing the energy company’s role in distributing energy assistance since 1998.


EFFICIENCY PROGRAM TARGETS AFFORDABLE HOUSING
A unique program to help low-income residents better afford home energy is underway in the San Luis Valley community of Center.  Center Housing Authority (CHA), an affordable housing community, is the beneficiary of a collaboration between Energy Outreach Colorado, the International Center for Appropriate & Sustainable Technology (iCAST), the Department of Housing and Urban Development and graduate students at the University of Colorado.

The result will be to upgrade the energy efficiency of CHA’s housing and educate residents about energy management so less energy is used and their energy bills are reduced. The long-term goal is to eliminate the residents’ need for energy assistance.

Tim Guiterman, a graduate student in the building systems program at CU-Boulder, helped iCAST energy experts conduct energy audits and interview residents in the CHA community, which was built in the 1970s. The project team identified cost-effective opportunities to improve the housing’s energy efficiency by fixing leaks, adding roofing insulation and installing programmable thermostats.

In the current phase of the project, iCAST is tracking how residents use energy so they can help them conserve through such tactics as lowering water heater temperature settings. ICAST, a Lakewood-based nonprofit, works with underserved communities, universities and government agencies to apply cost-effective sustainable solutions to exactly this type of challenge.

“When Esther Mays, a CHA resident, needs to pay $350 a month for energy for a house that costs $250 a month to rent, it forces her to rely on assistance programs such as the Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Program,” said Guiterman.

“This money could instead be spent on energy efficiency improvements that will help permanently reduce energy bills,” he added. “I feel it is our responsibility as energy engineers to provide our knowledge and capabilities to save people money, improve lives and protect our environment.”

Energy Outreach Colorado and iCAST will compile the results of the CHA program to share with other affordable housing projects in the state.


ENERGY HOG PROGRAM REACHES 6,500 STUDENTS
Nearly 6,500 elementary school students in 31 Colorado schools enjoyed learning about energy management and conservation this past year through Energy Outreach Colorado’s Energy Hog Traveling Road Show.

The free elementary school program is offered to students in grades three through six in income-qualifying schools throughout Colorado. This year, the program received funds through grants from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District and the Office for Resource Efficiency.

In partnership with the Colorado Energy Science Center, Energy Outreach delivers an entertaining school assembly program. The interactive game-show format features a life-sized Energy Hog character and teaches the concepts of where energy comes from, how it powers our lives, and how we can conserve energy and protect the environment.

Since the Energy Hog Traveling Road Show was created in 2003, it has reached nearly 25,000 students and families. For more information, contact Shelly Wallace at
303-226-5057.


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:

DENVER-METRO AND BOULDER
ACS Lift, Adventist Community Service
Adams County Housing Authority
Almost Home
Association for Senior Citizens
Aurora InterChurch Task Force
Boulder County AIDS Project
Broadway Assistance Center
Castle Rock Comm. Inter-Church Task Force
Catholic Charities, Denver
City of Arvada Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization
City of Broomfield
Colorado AIDS Project
Community Ministry
Cross Community Coalition
Denver Indian Health and Family Services
Denver Urban Ministries
Emergency Family Assistance Assoc.
EMPOWERMENT
Family Tree
First Mennonite Church
Helping Hearts and Hands
Inter-Church ARMS
Inter-Faith Community Services
Jeffco Action Center
LifeBridge Christian Church
Lowry Family Center
Lutheran Family Services
Metro CareRing
OUR Center
Rebuilding Together
Salvation Army, Denver
Seniors Support Services
Seniors’ Resource Center
Seniors! Inc.
Sister Carmen Community Center
St. Vincent De Paul Society

MOUNTAIN
Catholic Charities, Glenwood Springs
Clear Creek County Dept. of Human Services
Family & Intercultural Resource Center
First Presbyterian Church of Salida
Help the Needy
Lake County Health and Human Services
Loaves and Fishes Ministry of Fremont County
Manna House
Mountain Family Center
Mountain Resource Center
Park County Crisis Shelter
Salvation Army, Teller County
Salvation Army, Vail Valley

NORTHEAST
Caring Ministries of Morgan County
Catholic Charities North, Weld County
Colorado East Community Action Agency
Community Assistance Network, Elbert County
Cooperating Ministry of Logan County
Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park
Faith Community Service Fund
Northern Colorado AIDS Project
Phillips County Department of Human Services
Rural Communities Resource Center
Sedgwick County Economic Development

NORTHWEST
Community Budget Center
Independent Life Center
Jackson County Department of Human Services
Lift-Up Routt County
WARM

CENTRAL, SOUTHEAST
Advocates Against Domestic Violence
Catholic Charities, Pueblo
City of Fountain Lighten the Load
Colorado Springs Utilities, Project COPE
Ecumenical Social Ministries
La Junta Associated Charities
Las Animas Helping Hands
Northern Churches Care
Pikes Peak Community Action Agency
Prowers County Department of Human Services
Salvation Army, Colorado Springs
Salvation Army, Baca County
South Central Council of Governments
Southeastern Colorado Compassion Center
Southern Colorado AIDS Project
Tri-Lakes Cares

SAN LUIS VALLEY, SOUTHWEST, WESTERN SLOPE
Community Emergency Assistance Coalition
Comm. United Methodist Church, Pagosa Springs
Grand Valley Catholic Outreach
Gunnison/Hinsdale County Dept. of Human Services
Housing Solutions for the Southwest
La Puente Home
MADA
Pinon Project
Pregnancy Resource Center
San Juan Cooperative Parish
United Methodist Church of Dove Creek
Western Colorado AIDS Project

STATEWIDE
Brain Injury Association of Colo.
National MS Society, Colorado Chapter
Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers Foundation
Sense of Security

MILITARY FAMILIES
The Home Front Cares


KEEP YOUR COOL AND HELP THE ENVIRONMENT
To keep your cool this summer, follow these simple, low-cost tips to save energy, help cool your home and make a positive impact on the environment.
• LIGHTING: Turn off lights when not needed. Use a smaller lamp instead of a room light. Incandescent light bulbs release 90% of their energy through heat, so replace them where possible with higher efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs also last 7-10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and cut your lighting costs in half.
• APPLIANCES: Appliances also generate heat. Run your dishwasher and dryer only when fully loaded and the outside temperature has cooled. Turn off the heated drying option on your dishwasher. If one of your appliances needs replacing, buy a unit with the Energy Star® label, which means it uses at least 10 percent less energy than required by current federal standards.
• COOKING: Cut down on the use of your hot oven by using your microwave and trying out salads and sandwiches. Cooking, lighting and other appliances account for about 30% of your home’s energy bill, so using them less saves you money.
• REFRIGERATOR: Your refrigerator is one of your most energy-consuming appliances. If you have more than one refrigerator or freezer, try to consolidate and unplug any that aren’t in use. Vacuum the coils behind your refrigerator and limit opening the door.
• HVAC: Change the filters on your furnace and air conditioner at least every three months to keep them clean. If you use an air conditioner, set the temperature at no cooler than 78 degrees F. Better yet, install a programmable thermostat. Ceiling fans use as little energy as a 100-watt light bulb and can help keep things cool.
• WINDOWS: Windows are the largest source of heat gain in your home. During the heat of the day, keep them shut with window coverings closed. In the early morning and evening, open windows and coverings to let in cooling breezes.


WIN A KEEP YOUR COOL BONUS!
Be the lucky one chosen to receive a professional Home Energy Audit valued at $300, donated by Xcel Energy.
Please e-mail your entry to info@EnergyOutreach.org or mail to:
Energy Outreach Colorado
225 E. 16th Ave., Ste. 200
Denver, CO 80203-1612
The drawing will be held at noon on July 23, 2007.
Name: ________________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________

City: _________________________________________________________________________

Zip: __________________________________________________________________________

Ph: __________________________________________________________________________

E-mail: _______________________________________________________________________