When City Council passed Time-of-Day (TOD) pricing in November 2017, they asked staff to explore ways to assist low-income customers who may be adversely impacted by the new rate structure. In May 2018, IQAP was codified into the Utilities Charter.

Qualifying Fort Collins Utilities electric, water and/or wastewater households that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) assistance during the previous or current heating season (November - April) are invited to participate in the IQAP. If the household does not receive at least one of these services from Fort Collins Utilities, they will not be eligible. Non-eligible services will be identified on a case-by-case basis.

The IQAP is a 12-month program October to September. You can expect to see your first rate change within one to two billing cycles (4-8 weeks) after approval. The program ends each September and requires re-application to LEAP. Participants will be re-enrolled each year if they have been approved for LEAP during the immediate past or current season. 

The LEAP application process is open November 1-April 30 each year. LEAP is not available outside of that time. If you did not participate in LEAP during the most recent application process, apply for LEAP in the next upcoming season starting November 1 and you will be eligible to apply for IQAP.

IQAP is an income-verified program. Through this partnership, LEAP provides the income verification information for Fort Collins Utilities, allowing us to keep administrative costs down and offer this program to more limited-income customers.

LEAP brings down your utility costs, which saves you money and allows Fort Collins Utilities funding to go further for those who need it most. In the 2017-2018 season LEAP provided participants with $500-$1000 in heating assistance. Learn more about LEAP.

After you've applied and been accepted into LEAP, the rate will start within the next one to two billing cycles depending on billing cycles. You will see a line item denoting IQAP and/or a rate code of A/E150 or A/E155 for electric, W225 for water and/or Q222 for wastewater accounts. Certain rates may not be eligible for IQAP.

Throughout the year we will be in touch via email or regular mail with different ways you can potentially save energy, water and money. Activities may include reading the monthly newsletter, completing a home efficiency assessment, attending a workshop and/or completing an online course.

In general, you can expect to spend at least two hours during the year on efficiency and conservation activities. Participants are expected to participate in at least two hours of activities through the program year. This can be filled by actions found in the monthly newsletter.

If your income situation changes and you are no longer eligible for LEAP, the IQAP rate will revert to our regular rate the next billing cycle after those changes are given to Utilities by the LEAP office. 

If you move but still have Fort Collins Utilities electric, water and/or wastewater accounts, the rate will move with you to the new place. Make sure to notify Utilities Customer Service that you are on IQAP when setting up the new account.

If you move out of the service territory and/or no longer pay for your utilities directly, the rate for the household will revert to regular TOD pricing.