Income-Qualified Home Energy Resources

Various programs and offerings are available in the State of Colorado to support qualified residents with energy needs from weatherization to bill payment assistance, see below to find a program to fit your needs.

Please note most of these services are only available to income-qualified residents below 80% of the area median income. Refer to this income table or visit the specific program websites to check if you may qualify.

If you are looking for information on EnergySmart’s income-qualified rebates, please visit our income-qualified rebates page.

Electrification & Weatherization

Electrification means converting equipment from using fossil fuels to electricity, resulting in reduced pollution and energy costs. Learn more about electrification.

Weatherization protects a home and its interior from outside elements, reducing your home’s energy use. Learn more about weatherization.

In addition to the options listed below, EnergySmart also has rebates for electrification and weatherization through the Income-Qualified Rebate program.

Get Free Home Energy Upgrades with CARE (Colorado’s Affordable Residential Energy)

Provided by Energy Outreach Colorado and in partnership with Boulder County, CARE provides free energy-efficiency and electrification improvements to income-qualified households.

Requirements and Qualifications: Boulder County households at or below 80% Area Median Income.

Considerations: Eligible improvements are completed by CARE contractor and depend on a home assessment conducted by the program. A waitlist may apply.

Application and next steps found on CARE’s webpage.

Get Free Home Energy Upgrades with the Weatherization Assistance Program

Provided by Energy Resource Center and funded through the Colorado Energy Office and the U.S. Department of Energy. The weatherization assistance program provides free energy-efficiency and electrification improvements to income-qualified households.

Requirements and Qualifications: Colorado households at or below 60% Area Median Income or Xcel Energy customers at or below 80% Area Median Income.

Considerations: Eligible improvements are completed by predetermined contractor and depend on a home assessment conducted by the program. A waitlist may apply.

Application and next steps for Boulder County residents found on Energy Resource Colorado’s webpage.

Inflation Reduction Act – Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR)

The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate program (HEAR) is for homes and multifamily buildings that are upgrading electrical equipment and appliances. The initial phase of the HEAR program launched through the Colorado Weatherization Assistance Program in Fall 2024. Direct-to-consumer rebates to receive a discount on the upfront cost of qualified home energy upgrades will be available for eligible low- and moderate-income Coloradans through approved contractors starting sometime in 2025.

More details about household and equipment eligibility, rebate amounts, and how to apply will be available when the direct-to-consumer rebates are launched.

Visit the Colorado Energy Office’s webpage to learn more.

Utility Costs & Bill Assistance

Income-qualified residents can access several programs to help with monthly utility costs or find emergency financial aid for past-due energy bills.

Energy Outreach Colorado

If you’re struggling to pay your heating or electric bills, Energy Outreach Colorado’s Bill Payment Assistance Program can help. This program provides emergency funds to pay for past-due energy bills for qualifying Coloradans.

Requirements and Qualifications: Available to households at or below 80% Area Median Income. Only available if you are disconnected from service, have a past-due heating or electric bill, or are low on fuel and you pay your bill directly to a utility or fuel provider. Not available if you have received prior utility bill assistance from October 1 of the previous year, through September 30 of the current year.

Visit Energy Outreach Colorado’s website to learn more and find your nearest agency

LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program)

LEAP is a federally funded program that helps eligible Colorado households pay a portion of their heating costs. The program is open to take and process applications from November to April.

Requirements and Qualifications: Available if you pay home heating costs, either directly to a utility company or to a landlord as part of rent, earn a maximum family household income that does not exceed 60% of the state median income level, and can provide proof of lawful presence in the U.S., for you and household members born outside of the U.S.

For more information about LEAP, visit the state’s LEAP website or call the HEAT HELP line at 1.866.432.8435.

Free Solar Garden Subscriptions

Income-qualified community solar garden subscriptions are offered by Energy Outreach Colorado and Xcel Energy in partnership with Boulder County and the City of Boulder. Enrolled qualifying residents will save on average 40-50% off the cost of electricity per year. Available at no-cost to income-qualified homeowners and renters. Receive the benefits of solar energy without needing to place solar panels on your roof.

Requirements and Qualifications: Available to households at or below 80% Area Median Income. Must have an electric bill from Xcel Energy.

Visit Energy Outreach Colorado’s webpage to learn more and apply.

Emergency Heating Repairs

If your heating system is broken, Energy Outreach Colorado’s Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) may be able to help. CIP provides free emergency repairs and replacements of non-working heating systems for income-qualified Colorado households.

Requirements and Qualifications: At or below 60% of the Colorado median are income and have applied for the state’s LEAP program. Must pay home heating costs and proof of lawful presence is required.

Considerations: Availability of program funding dependent. Only available during the heating season (November-April).

Visit Energy Outreach Colorado’s webpage to learn more or call 1-866-HEAT-HELP.

Additional Resources

Energy Outreach Colorado offers an excellent list of resources on their website.

Area Median Income (AMI) Chart

Home Diagnostics and Energy Assessments

An energy assessment illuminates how efficient your homes is and helps you to prioritize upgrades.

Requirements and Qualifications: Must own the dwelling. Sometimes restricted to single family homes, but exceptions made for multi family units.

Check with your utility provider to get started:

• Xcel Energy – 303-446-7910, homeenergysquadco@clearesult.com
• Longmont Power and Communications – 877-981-1888, information@efficiencyworks.org
• PVREA – 800-432-1012, pvrea@pvrea.coop

Utility Rate Structure

Time of Use (TOU) rates adjust the cost of electricity throughout the day. It divides periods of the day into “On Peak”, “Mid-Peak”, and “Off-Peak” and prices are adjusted accordingly.

Requirements and Qualifications: If Xcel customers fail to opt out of time of use rates, they may be automatically enrolled.

Contact: 800-895-4999

Si bien no podemos garantizar que cada enlace esté traducido al español, en el condado de Boulder nos aseguramos de que la comunidad tenga acceso a todos los recursos. Comuníquese con nuestro asesor de energía bilingüe si necesita ayuda.