COLORADO FUEL FUNDS

• The Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) was created specifically to raise and distribute funds to supplement LIHEAP. Originated in 1989 through an executive order of the governor, it is a public/private partnership of government agencies, low-income advocacy groups, the business community, and utilities.

EOC raises funds through participating utility contributions, company matches, customer contributions, unclaimed deposits/refunds, and special events. Since 1991, EOC has granted between $1 million and $6 million annually to the state LIHEAP, total contributions for 2002 were $2.5 million; $1.5 million came from the Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Plant decommissioning settlement through EOC.

In 2002, EOC distributed $1,569,156 through grant awards to 79 non-profit community based agencies statewide and 5 Department of Human Services offices to be paid to LIHEAP eligible households in shutoff or pending shutoff situations.

• Care and Share Inc./COPE - customer donations from Colorado Springs Utility Company are administered through COPE Fuel Fund.

LEVERAGING

2002: $4.3 million
2001: $4.8 million
2000: $2.8 million
1999: $3.5 million
1998: $4.4 million
1997: $1.2 million
1996: $2.5 million
1995: $910,751

LEGISLATIVE CODE

Unclaimed utility deposits and rate refunds to support CEAF, 1998, Colorado Statutes, Title 40, article 8.5, secs.101-107