The county’s annual lifeline for households facing winter energy costs begins Nov. 1, when the Low‑Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) opens for applications. The program will accept filings through Apr. 30, giving eligible Las Animas County residents access to assistance with heating bills and—when circumstances meet program criteria—emergency repair or replacement of their primary heating system.

Residents who believe they may qualify can apply online through Colorado PEAK or submit an application in person at the Las Animas County Department of Human Services, located at 219 S. Chestnut St. in Trinidad. The DHS office can be reached at 719‑846‑2276 for questions about filing, documentation requirements, or eligibility determinations.

LEAP is designed to reduce energy insecurity during the colder months by helping low‑income households manage immediate heating expenses. For a rural community such as Las Animas County, where long nights and cold snaps place higher seasonal demand on household fuel and electricity, assistance can be a direct counterweight to the economic strain that winter energy bills impose on tight household budgets. In some cases, the program’s emergency repair and replacement provisions address failing heating equipment, which can otherwise leave families without heat or expose them to safety risks.

From a policy perspective, LEAP operates as part of broader safety‑net interventions intended to prevent crises that cascade into greater public costs. Keeping households heated reduces short‑term health risks, lowers the likelihood of emergency room visits related to cold exposure, and can forestall utility shutoffs that contribute to housing instability. For local governments, funding and administering these benefits also represents a way to mitigate downstream costs to health and social services during winter months.

There are market and budgetary implications at the household and community levels. Assistance that offsets energy bills leaves more discretionary income in local pockets, which can support consumer spending in Trinidad and surrounding towns. At the household level, targeted help for heating‑system repairs or replacements can improve energy efficiency and reduce future fuel consumption, with potential long‑term savings for families and lower peak demand pressure on local utility providers.

Residents who need help should review eligibility guidelines and prepare documentation before applying. While applications are available year by year, the Nov. 1–Apr. 30 window is the operational period to receive winter heating assistance through LEAP for the coming season. For in‑person help, Las Animas County DHS at 219 S. Chestnut St. remains the local contact point; the office can be reached at 719‑846‑2276. Applying early in the season may expedite support for households facing immediate heating challenges.