Gov. John Hickenlooper on Monday declared a disaster emergency due to a propane supply shortage that could impact 33,000 residents in mainly rural areas, the state’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said in a news release.

These customers may not be able to receive enough propane to heat their homes in the near future, the release said.

The declaration of emergency lifts the ban on intrastate drivers transporting winter-heating fuel before Jan. 8.

Production issues at statewide propane facilities this month caused the propane industry to seek supplies outside of the state, officials said, significantly increasing the amount of time needed to transport propane used for winter heating fuel.

The propane industry attempted to address the issue with rationing and other means, the release stated. However, propane shortages have continued. This need is compounded by anticipated extreme winter weather over the coming weeks, which will increase demand for propane used as a winter heating fuel.