Dec. 30, 2005
 
Colorado Governor Seeks Millions More for Heating Help
 
By Kevin Flynn
Rocky Mountain News/Scripps Howard News Service
 
Denver, CO (SHNS) -- Gov. Bill Owens said Thursday he will ask the legislature to provide an additional $10 million in heating cost assistance to low-income families.
 
That's in addition to $10 million Owens initially proposed last month and in recognition of the surging cost of natural gas for home heating. Added to $30 million in expected federal funding for the program, Colorado could have $50 million available to help low-income families.
 
State officials who administer the Low-income Energy Assistance Program say they expect up to 105,000 families to seek assistance this year, a record. A total of 96,127 were aided last year.
 
"Every year, thousands of low-income families struggle to make ends meet and significantly higher heating costs are making the struggle even more difficult," Owens said.
 
The money would come from the state's general fund portion of severance taxes, the levies on mineral and energy companies that extract resources from within Colorado. The tax has been growing with the rise in energy exploration.
 
Glenn Cooper, the LEAP program manager for the Colorado Department of Human Services, said the number of families in the program has doubled over five years. Families must meet certain low-income guidelines to qualify for assistance.
 
He estimated the average family would receive about $500 in aid over the winter heating season.
 
The bill will be sponsored in the General Assembly by Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, and Rep. Jim Sullivan, R-Larkspur.