SNAP benefits resume in Colorado, but not for all
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Colorado residents participating in the food assistance program known as SNAP will start to see their benefits restored as soon as Thursday now that the federal government has reopened.
Yes, but: Not all 600,000 who receive food money will keep their benefits after President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" put new restrictions on the program, Polis administration officials tell us.
- Colorado health officials estimate as many as 79,000 recipients will lose SNAP benefits due to the eligibility changes, particularly the work requirements.
State of play: The new rules expand work requirements to roughly 25% of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, up from 12%, according to the state health department.
- The newly added groups who must work to remain eligible include older adults aged 55-64, parents with older dependent children aged 14-18, as well as homeless, veterans and former foster care youth.
Between the lines: Other new limits include a prohibition on enrolling those seeking asylum, refugees and people living in the country illegally. This will impact about 4,000 people in Colorado, officials say.
- In addition, a change in how benefits are calculated will reduce aid up to $90 for as many as 250,000 recipients.
- A program to educate and provide resources for healthy eating, known as SNAP-Ed, was eliminated in October, resulting in a loss of about $6 million for the state.
By the numbers: 50% of recipients are children, 10% are elderly and 15% have a disability, according to state figures.
- It adds up to $120 million in food aid a month and approximately 1.8 million meals per day.
What they're saying: "We are committed to minimizing the impact on our residents while navigating these complex new federal requirements," John Rosa, a spokesperson for Colorado's health department, told us.
What's next: In October 2026, the federal government will reduce spending on SNAP by 25%, a roughly $50 million cut that Colorado would need to absorb into its overspent budget.
- The following year, Colorado may have to increase its share of the funding for SNAP, depending on its error rate in providing benefits.