CO SB183

Prohibits natural gas and electric utilities from disconnecting residential heating service between November and March for customers in low-income households who apply for and demonstrate eligibility for low-income energy assistance and enroll in a utility payment plan.

Extends existing disconnect protections to include members of military households who have been deployed on active duty during the November-March period.

Requires natural gas and electric utilities to provide data to the Commission on Low-Income Energy Assistance regarding disconnection notifications, discontinuance procedures, and payment plan terms and collection methods by July 1, 2014.

Directs the Commission on Low-Income Energy Assistance to review and make recommendations by December 15, 2013 on legislative changes needed to prevent service disconnection during extreme weather and to assess impacts of rising energy costs and utility payment plan effectiveness.

Allows the Commission to accept public and private funding to conduct the required assessment and review, depositing funds into the Human Services Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund.