Committee advances bill to protect applicants for low‑income energy assistance from unnecessary data collection and utility shutoffs

The Senate Transportation and Energy Committee passed House Bill 12‑34, a measure designed to expand access and privacy protections for applicants to the Low‑Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).

Sponsor Senator Winter said the bill narrows information collection so that applicants are not required to disclose citizenship or immigration status unless it is an explicit eligibility requirement. The measure also forbids the Colorado Department of Human Services from sharing applicants’ citizenship or immigration information with federal law enforcement unless federal law requires disclosure. The bill creates a process for applicants to correct incomplete applications and ensures a limited reconnection period so households do not face immediate utility shutoffs due to paperwork errors.

Sponsors and stakeholders reported consensus language negotiated with utilities and LEAP administrators. Senator Winter introduced two sponsor amendments to tighten language and to clarify a 60‑day limit on disconnection holds; both amendments were adopted. The sponsor said utilities and LEAP administrators supported the revised, narrower bill.

Committee members had no substantive objections; the committee voted to advance the bill to Committee of the Whole. The roll call recorded the measure passing the committee by 6‑3.

Supporters described the bill as a targeted fix to reduce administrative barriers that can force vulnerable families into energy crises. Sponsors said the bill preserves statutory program eligibility rules while preventing unnecessary disclosure and short notice disconnections for fixable paperwork errors.

The bill now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.