Atmos Energy, which supplies natural gas in Kiowa County and other parts of southeast Colorado, is encouraging conservation of energy supplies over the coming days as bitterly cold temperatures make their way into the area beginning Wednesday night.

While Wednesday is expected to be relatively warm, with temperatures in the upper 40s to low 50s, overnight temperatures will plunge below 0, reaching the negative teens in Kiowa County. With wind gust up to 55 miles per hour, wind chill values (download printable chart) could be as low as -40.

Snow is also expected Wednesday night across Colorado’s plains, with under one inch of accumulation possible in the southeast.

Thursday’s high is predicted to be at or below zero, while Friday’s high recovers slightly to the mid-teens. Below-zero temperatures return Thursday and Friday nights.

Highs return to the 50s by Christmas Day.

In an email to customers, Atmos offers a number of suggestions to reduce consumption and energy bills. Tips include:

• Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 58 degrees when you are away from home.
• Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees or set your temperature dial to normal or medium.
• Unplug electronic devices and turn off lights that are not in use.
• Reduce your shower time and take baths only when necessary.
• Operate your clothes washer, dryer, and dishwasher only when fully loaded.
• Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Leaving the damper open is like keeping a window wide open - warm air goes right up the chimney!

Atmos also suggests installing smart thermostats to help manage winter heating and summer cooling. Such thermostats can operate on a schedule, and many can also be controlled from an app on a phone or other smart device, as well as Amazon’s Alexa, Apple HomePod and Apple TV devices.

The company also recommends signing up for Budget Billing so winter gas bills are more predictable, and offers financial assistance for people struggling to pay a past due balance.

Colorado also offers the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) to help with winter energy costs. The program has seen a record number of applications in 2022, in part due to rising inflation.

Sign up for LEAP continues through April 2023. In Kiowa County, applications for LEAP may be picked up at the Kiowa County Department of Social Service office, located at 1307 Maine Street in Eads. More information is available by calling the office at 719-438-5541. Information is also available from www.Colorado.gov/CDHS/LEAP.