News Pub | by Press Room
Natural gas prices are lower than a year ago, when many Coloradans saw big jumps in their heating bills, but the need for help to pay utility bills remains high, say agencies that offer assistance.
For the week ending Jan. 21, the nonprofit Energy Outreach Colorado fielded 555 applications for assistance and spent $333,229, said spokeswoman Denise Stepto.
“The need is just unprecedented. These numbers are bigger than we’ve seen them before,” Stepto said.
She attributes the ongoing need to overall elevated costs. And Stepto said she’s bracing to see the fallout from the recent stretch of frigid weather when temperatures dropped into the single digits and below zero.
The organization that provides assistance is getting its own help from the Colorado Avalanche and Xcel Energy-Colorado. The utility is donating $1,000 for every Avalanche home assist this NHL season.
So far, the Avalanche have made 171 assists at home, racking up $171,000 for Energy Outreach Colorado. Stepto said the money contributed to date will support 245 households.
“We are anticipating an increase then because people were doing what they needed to do try to stay warm.”
