Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera Visits Adams County Food Bank, Highlights State Action to Support Families as Federal SNAP Benefits Cut in Half

COMMERCE CITY, CO - Today, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera visited the Adams County Food Bank to meet with local staff, nonprofit leaders, and state officials to discuss how the federal government's ongoing shutdown and new guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are impacting Colorado families.

The State of Colorado, along with 22 other states, sued the Trump Administration in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts and another lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island, resulting in a court order instructing USDA to release SNAP funding. While both lawsuits are ongoing, under new federal guidance issued today, SNAP benefits are being reduced by 50% nationwide for November, affecting more than 600,000 Coloradans who rely on the program for grocery assistance, the majority being children, people with disabilities, and older Coloradans. While conflicting information from the federal government remains, the State of Colorado is proactively implementing all required system and process changes to be able to issue SNAP benefits as rapidly as possible. In the interim, Colorado is continuing to process new applications and connect families to food resources through local food banks, schools, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.

"Despite the President's comments this morning, the facts are simple: Colorado families are going hungry this month because Republicans in Washington have chosen not to fully fund SNAP, even though the federal government has the money to do so," said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. "This isn't about politics - it's about parents skipping meals so their kids can eat, about seniors and people with disabilities wondering how they'll afford groceries. While others point fingers, Colorado is stepping up to fill the gap: supporting food banks, keeping WIC benefits flowing, and ensuring every child can still count on two healthy meals a day at school."

During today's visit, Lt. Governor Primavera toured the Adams County Food Bank's warehouse and distribution center, speaking with staff and volunteers about the surge in demand since the start of the federal shutdown. According to local food bank partners, requests for assistance have doubled in recent weeks, and statewide need could rise by another 25% following the SNAP benefit reduction.

Governor Polis and Lt. Governor Primavera recently announced the Joint Budget Committee's approval of their $10 million request in emergency state funding to help food banks meet increased demand, as well as the continuation of $7.5 million in state authority for WIC nutrition benefits, ensuring that families with infants and young children continue to receive support during the shutdown.

The Polis-Primavera Administration is also reminding families that all Colorado students can continue to receive free breakfast and lunch at school - no paperwork required - through the Healthy School Meals for All program approved by voters in 2022. Coloradans seeking food resources can contact:

Colorado 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211Colorado.org.

Feeding Colorado: FeedingColorado.org/find-food or email [email protected].

Colorado PEAK: co.gov/PEAK for benefit information and updates.

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.

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