Colorado boosts food aid as federal SNAP funds freeze

DENVER — Gov. Jared Polis, Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera and state and community leaders on Wednesday announced new efforts to help Coloradans access food as the federal government’s shutdown freezes funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves more than 600,000 residents.

The Polis administration has requested up to $10 million from the state’s General Fund to support food banks and pantries and has asked the Joint Budget Committee to extend previously approved funding for the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program through November. WIC provides food assistance to nearly 100,000 women and children in Colorado.

The state also launched a new philanthropic partnership through Feeding Colorado to encourage donations from individuals and businesses and released a map showing areas most reliant on SNAP benefits.

“Coloradans take care of one another, and we’re stepping up to make sure hardworking families can continue putting food on the table while federal funding is on hold,” Polis said. “We’re providing emergency state support for food banks, extending WIC access, and giving every Coloradan an opportunity to help by donating to FeedingColorado.org.”

The federal shutdown has halted SNAP benefits for November, following direction from the U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this month. SNAP provides monthly grocery assistance to 330,000 Colorado households, including children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. The program distributes about $120 million in benefits each month, supporting local grocers, farmers and nearly 10,000 grocery workers.

“Access to nutritious food is fundamental to good health,” Primavera said. “Our administration is working to ensure that every Coloradan has the resources they need to stay healthy and thrive, no matter what’s happening in Washington.”

Colorado Department of Human Services Deputy Executive Director Minna Castillo said the agency is coordinating with counties and food banks to fill gaps and process SNAP applications until federal funding resumes.

“Our priority is to make sure no Coloradan goes hungry,” Castillo said. “We’re working with food banks to fill gaps and ensure families get benefits as soon as they’re available.”

Food banks across the state have reported a surge in demand. “In some areas, we’re seeing a week’s worth of visitors in a single day,” said Erin Pulling, president and CEO of Food Bank of the Rockies. “This state support will help us purchase food at scale and respond to the growing need across communities.”

Polis planned to visit the Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado in Colorado Springs on Wednesday to meet with staff and discuss the impacts of the federal funding freeze.

Coloradans seeking food assistance can call 211 or visit www.211colorado.org, or contact Feeding Colorado for local food resources. Those able to help are encouraged to donate financially, where every dollar helps distribute more meals statewide.

More information about benefits will be shared when the federal shutdown ends, and updates are available on the Colorado PEAK website.