The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management encourage consumers to be prepared for extreme cold weather that is forecasted for the long holiday weekend. Importantly, there are important protections in place that prohibit disconnections during cold weather events as well as bill assistance programs.
Below are tips for homeowners to save energy and be safe during winter weather:
Tips to Save Energy & Money
- Lower your thermostat by a few degrees, particularly when you're away from home for extended periods.
- Clear space around vents to allow warm air to circulate freely.
- Close dampers on unused fireplaces and keep garage doors closed to retain warm air inside.
- Insulate around windows and doors to prevent heat loss and keep warmth in.
- Use sunlight to your advantage by opening curtains on south-facing windows during the day and closing them at night to minimize cold air drafts.
Tips to Stay Safe
- Clear snow and ice around outdoor vents, meters, and flues to prevent blockages. Use a broom, not a shovel, to gently remove snow around gas equipment and avoid causing damage.
- Check proper ventilation in enclosed spaces and never use gas ovens or stovetops as a primary heat source.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in key areas of your home and test the batteries regularly. If you suspect carbon monoxide exposure (headache, dizziness, nausea), leave your home immediately and call emergency services.
- Prepare an emergency kit with essentials such as blankets, flashlights, non-perishable food, and necessary medications.
- Sign up for emergency alerts through the DHSEM website and follow public safety social media accounts to receive time-sensitive safety notifications and current weather updates.
- Watch for gas leaks and familiarize yourself with the smell of natural gas (similar to rotten eggs). If you detect this odor, avoid using electronic devices, including phones or light switches. Leave the area immediately and call 911 from a safe location.
PUC Protecting Colorado Consumers Against Spikes in Natural Gas Costs:
The PUC works to keep energy affordable and save consumers money. SB23-291 instructed the PUC to create protections for consumers against spikes in natural gas costs. The PUC established a price cap on natural gas and a rainy day fund to cover costs when prices exceed the price cap. These measures help protect consumers from wild fluctuations in natural gas prices that can occur during large storm events such as Storm Uri in 2021.
Know your rights as a consumer. Utilities that are regulated by the PUC must postpone disconnection to a residential customer on any day when the National Weather Service local forecast between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. predicts that the temperature will be 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower at any time in the following 24 hours.
Utility Contacts
Know how to contact your electricity provider, via online or phone, for status updates or to report an outage, get information about being prepared for winter weather, questions on your utility bill or energy bill assistance:
- Atmos Energy: https://www.atmosenergy.com/
- Colorado Natural Gas: https://coloradonaturalgas.com/winter
- Xcel Energy: https://co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/
- Black Hills Energy: https://www.blackhillsenergy.com
- Colorado Rural Electric Association https://crea.coop/co-op-map-of-colorado/
Need Help with Energy Bills?
If you need help paying your energy bills, contact your utility to learn about payment plans and assistance programs. The following programs are available to income-qualifying customers who need energy bill assistance:
- Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). LEAP helps income-qualified residents pay a portion of their winter home heating costs.
- Energy Outreach Colorado’s Crisis Intervention Program (CIP). CIP is for income-qualified Coloradans who need emergency repairs and replacements of non-working heating systems for income-qualified Colorado households.
- Energy Outreach Colorado’s Bill Payment Assistance. This program provides emergency funds to income-qualified residents of Colorado who are past due on their energy bills.
- PUC’s Utility Bill Help Program (UBH). UBH refers income-qualified Colorado residents to bill assistance programs to help pay their utility bills. These programs limit a customer’s payments to a small percentage of their income and are run by Atmos Energy, Black Hills Energy, Colorado Natural Gas, and Xcel Energy.