The Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is a federally funded program that helps eligible Coloradans pay a portion of their winter home heating costs. Our goal is to help bring warmth, comfort and safety to your home and family by assisting with heating costs.
The LEAP program works to keep our communities warm during the winter (November through April) by providing assistance with heating costs, repair or replacement of inoperable heating systems (such as a furnace), and improved home heating efficiency through weatherization. While the program is not intended to pay the entire cost of home heating bills, we aim to help alleviate some of the burdens that come with Colorado's colder months. This year, the program provided an extension to allow applicants to apply for LEAP through the end of May 2021.
In most cases, the energy assistance benefit is paid directly to the household’s energy supplier and a notice will be sent to the client informing them of the benefit amount. The program does not provide financial assistance for any type of temporary or portable heating.
| Theresa Kullen, LEAP Manager Theresa has been involved in working in the LEAP for 18 years. Initially managing the program at a county level and then making the move to manage the program for CDHS since 2018. The commitment to, and passion for, the program comes from knowing that we are really making a very important difference in the lives of thousands of Colorado residents. Many residents we serve are on fixed incomes, and when energy costs soar in the winter months the household income frequently does not allow for those higher expenditures, resulting in people not being able to pay to adequately heat their homes. Many people could be forced into choosing between paying higher heat costs or foregoing food or vital prescriptions. The program provides support to these households to ensure adequate indoor home temperatures and to ensure that people do not need to give up basic needs to pay their heat bill. Theresa comes from a very large extended family and spending time with siblings, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews is a favorite pastime. Her son, David, recently married in January making her family even larger by welcoming her wonderful daughter-in-law, Cycrena. Theresa is an avid reader and especially enjoys books on World Wars 1 and 2. She also enjoys the great outdoors Colorado has to offer. |
| Amy Harris, LEAP Contracts and Procurement Manager Amy graduated from the University of Colorado with a BA in Environmental Policy & Economics in 2008. She began her public service career in earnest immediately afterwards in San Diego where she fundraised and conducted policy analysis for the San Diego County Taxpayers Association. She moved back to her home state of Colorado in 2011 to attend Colorado Law, graduating as a member of the Order of the Coif, an honorary society reserved for those who graduate in the top ten percent of their class. During law school, Amy honed in on health policy as her career of choice, earning a Health Law & Policy Certificate. After clerking for Judge Berger on the Colorado Court of Appeals for two years, Amy found her way to CDHS as a Program Assistant for the Division of Food and Energy Assistance. That role helped prepare her to take on her current position as the LEAP Contracts and Procurement Manager. Amy serves LEAP through grant management, contract drafting and execution, supporting vendors, fiscal monitoring, and pretty much anything that has to do with money. In her free time, Amy is an active volunteer. She has served in various leadership positions with Friends of Red Rocks and actively supports the community organization Save Open Space Denver. Last year, she was elected as the District 1 representative of Greater Park Hill Community, a neighborhood organization founded in 1969 which seeks to promote the character and vibrancy of Park Hill and advocate on behalf of its residents. Amy loves to garden, hike, visit with her Grandma Harris, cook and bake with her amazing boyfriend Alex, and spoil her adorable three cats - Ira Meowstein, Gary Purrman, and Sassafras. |
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| Maria Hopps, LEAP System and Data Analyst Maria is a proud military brat and grew up traveling the world but spent most of her childhood in Las Vegas, Nevada and graduated from the University of Nevada-Reno. After she graduated she moved to Fort Collins, CO. Maria began working in LEAP with Larimer County in 2010 until she began to work for the State LEAP office in 2017. While working for Larimer County, Maria spent 3 years as a reservist with the United States Air Force Reserves. She reported to Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs and worked as a Maintenance Management Analyst. Maria provides data for LEAP and provides training to LEAP eligibility workers across the State. Due to the pandemic, Maria created a virtual training to accommodate everyone working from home. She is also the liaison between LEAP’s contractor and OIT, handling requests for access to the various systems. She works closely with LEAP’s system administrator on troubleshooting system issues and making updates to the system. Maria loves to read and attend her teenage son’s basketball games all year round. She also enjoys brunch with friends and sitting on her porch enjoying Colorado springs and summers. |
| Anna Sandoval, LEAP Program Coordinator / Program Specialist Anna has worked for the State of Colorado for nearly 22 years. Prior to LEAP, she worked in the Department of Human Services’ Child Support Enforcement Division and at the Department of Labor and Employment. Before her journey started with the State, Anna was employed at Denver Human Services for 20 years, ending her time there as a supervisor in the City Attorney’s Child Welfare Legal Unit. Anna is a Colorado native and has lived in the Denver Metro area her entire life. Her utmost priority is to assure that LEAP clients receive the highest quality of services to address their heating needs. Clients whose heat has been or will be disconnected are the most vulnerable during the cold-weather season, thus the LEAP has a tremendous effect in serving those in need. The team strives to provide excellent quality care to their clients and vendors. Anna’s enjoyment outside of work centers around spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. “They all bring me great joy!” |
