The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has issued a reminder to residents across the state to prepare for extreme cold weather expected from today through the weekend. The PUC is urging people to take measures to stay safe and warm while also managing their utility costs.
The commission has provided several recommendations for saving energy and reducing heating bills during the winter months. Suggestions include setting thermostats between 65-70 degrees when at home and lowering them to 58 degrees when away, using programmable thermostats, opening blinds during the day for sunlight, ensuring exterior doors are fully closed, running ceiling fans clockwise to circulate warm air, minimizing oven door openings while cooking, lowering water heater temperatures to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or insulating it, keeping furnace filters clean by changing them monthly, sealing windows and checking for drafts, and improving insulation in walls and crawl spaces.
Additional safety tips include clearing snow and ice from outdoor vents and meters with a broom rather than a shovel, ensuring proper ventilation in enclosed spaces, installing carbon monoxide detectors and testing batteries regularly, preparing an emergency kit with essential supplies, and being alert for gas leaks. Residents are advised not to use gas ovens or stovetops as primary heat sources. If symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure occur—such as headache, dizziness, or nausea—people should leave their homes immediately and contact emergency services. In case of detecting the smell of natural gas (similar to rotten eggs), individuals should avoid using electronic devices or switches, leave on foot right away, and call 911 from a safe location.
Residents who have questions about winter preparedness or need assistance with their energy bills are encouraged to contact their utility providers: Atmos Energy, Black Hills Energy, Colorado Natural Gas, or Xcel Energy.
According to the PUC: “Additionally, the PUC’s Utility Bill Help Program refers income-qualified Colorado residents to gas and electric bill assistance programs to help pay their utility bills. These programs are run by Atmos Energy, Black Hills Energy, Colorado Natural Gas, and Xcel Energy. Once applicants are referred by UBH, eligibility and final benefits are determined by their utility company.”
To further support consumers in finding ways to save on energy costs or make home improvements that improve efficiency, homeowners and renters can access information about available rebates and incentives through the Colorado Energy Savings Navigator tool. This online resource connects users with hundreds of rebate options and bill-saving programs.
