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Polis Activates Emergency Funds to Ensure Food Access

PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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Governor Jared Polis and Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera announced a series of urgent measures to protect working families in Colorado who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), whose funding has been suspended due to the federal government shutdown. More than 600,000 residents, half of them children, depend on these benefits to access basic food supplies.

Governor Polis explained that the state acted quickly after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ordered a pause in the distribution of November benefits. “Coloradans take care of each other, and we’re taking action to make sure families can continue putting food on the table while federal funds are on hold,” said Polis.

The governor indicated that his administration has requested approval from the Joint Budget Committee to allocate up to $10 million from the state’s General Fund to support food banks and community pantries. He also called for extending funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program through November, ensuring access to nutritious food for nearly 100,000 women and children across the state.

Support for Students and Communities

From the Colorado Department of Education, Commissioner Susana Córdova highlighted how the funding disruption could affect families with school-age children. “When students are hungry, it’s hard for them to focus. We’re working with schools and local organizations to connect families to food resources,” she said.

The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), which administers SNAP, also strengthened its coordination with counties and community organizations to address rising demand. “We continue processing applications daily and are working with food banks to fill the gaps while federal funds remain on pause,” explained Minna Castillo, CDHS Deputy Executive Director.

The SNAP program distributes about $120 million monthly, benefiting 330,000 households, including seniors and people with disabilities. According to state data, every SNAP dollar generates $1.50 in local economic activity, supporting small businesses and rural farmers.

Community Response and Solidarity

The Feeding Colorado network, which brings together the state’s leading food banks, announced a new philanthropic initiative allowing individuals and businesses to donate to sustain food distribution. “We’re serving more families than ever. In some places, we’re seeing in one day the number of people we used to serve in a week,” said Erin Pulling, President and CEO of Food Bank of the Rockies.

The governor will visit the Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, which operates in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Alamosa, to witness firsthand the challenges facing rural and suburban communities during the suspension of federal funds. “By working together, we can make sure every family has access to healthy food and that no Coloradan faces this crisis alone,” Polis concluded.

Polis Activates Emergency Funds to Ensure Food Access

Available Support Resources

The State of Colorado reminds residents that there are several options for those seeking food assistance during the government shutdown:

• 211 Colorado Helpline: Dial 2-1-1, call (866) 760-6489, or visit www.211colorado.org
• Feeding Colorado: Find your nearest food bank at www.feedingcolorado.org/find-food or email info@feedingcolorado.org
• State PEAK Platform: Get updated information on SNAP benefits at https://co.gov/peak
• Donations: Support food banks through FeedingColorado.org/donate