THE GOVERNOR'S  NEWSLETTER

October 23, 2025

Taking Action to Protect Food Access for All Coloradans

I announced new actions to help hungry Coloradans get food as the federal government’s shutdown stops funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food for more than 600,000 Coloradans — half of whom are children.

Following direction from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on October 10 to suspend the release of November SNAP food access, Colorado is moving swiftly to support families and communities across the state. The Governor’s Office submitted two requests: one to consider approval for up to $10 million in General Fund revenue to support food banks and pantries, and another to extend previously approved funding for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)  nutrition access through November. WIC supports food access for nearly 100,000 women and children in Colorado.

Our state is also announcing a new philanthropic initiative through Feeding Colorado that invites individuals and businesses to help meet the growing demand for food assistance by donating, and is launching a map to show where Coloradans rely most on SNAP support.

I also visited the Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado in Colorado Springs. The organization distributes food to 291 partners across 29 counties. I toured the facility, and met with staff to discuss the impacts the federal shutdown and SNAP cuts are having on Coloradans and their communities.

SNAP is fully funded by the federal government and administered by the state; as a result of the ongoing federal shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has instructed all states to pause November food access until additional federal funds are released. 

The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) administers SNAP, which provides grocery food access to more than 600,000 Coloradans across 330,000 households — half of whom are children, with 10% elderly and 15% living with disabilities. The program distributes approximately $120 million in food support each month, supporting local grocers, farmers, and nearly 10,000 grocery workers statewide. On average, every dollar in SNAP food access  generates about $1.50 in local economic activity, strengthening small businesses and rural economies alike. In the meantime, CDHS is coordinating closely with counties, food banks, and community organizations to ensure families are informed, applications continue to be processed, and local partners have the resources to meet increased demand.

If Colorado families and individuals need more food resources during the government shutdown, the State encourages Coloradans to reach out to your local food banks, pantries, or community agencies in your area. 

To find these resources in your area, please contact:

Colorado 211: Dial 2-1-1 or (866)760-5489 or visit www.211colorado.org

Feeding Colorado Resources at www.feedingcolorado.org/find-food or [email protected] 

When the shutdown ends, there will be more information to share about the future of SNAP benefits. More up-to-date information can be found on the Colorado PEAK website: https://co.gov/peak 

Those able to help are encouraged to donate to local food banks. While canned goods are welcome, financial donations go further — every dollar helps food banks purchase and distribute more meals statewide. Donations can be made at FeedingColorado.org/donate.

Celebrating Diwali

I had the honor of hosting the first annual Celebration of Diwali at the Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion. I want to thank the Colorado South Asian Artists Group for sharing their incredible artwork and our participating local restaurants: Spice Room, Little India, Paradise Tavern, Rocky Mountain Momo, SoJo Kitchen & Co., Prost Brewing, and Chai Five Organics.

Diwali, the festival of lights, reminds us that light always triumphs over darkness, that hope, goodness, and perseverance prevail. That same spirit is at the heart of Colorado’s story: people from all over the world coming here, working hard, building businesses, and creating opportunities for themselves, their families, and others.

This event celebrated the strong Indian and South East Asian communities in Colorado, and we welcomed another opportunity to celebrate diversity as a strength in our Colorado for All.

Call for the Next Colorado Poet Laureate