Colorado: Full SNAP Food Assistance Funding for November to Resume as Federal Government Reopens

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DENVER (Nov. 12, 2025) — With an end to the longest shutdown the United States has ever experienced, Colorado is moving to deliver 100% of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments as rapidly as possible to approximately 600,000 Coloradans. Participants can expect to see the funds on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards starting as soon as Thursday, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) announced. This is a pivot from the State's previously announced move to begin processing 65% of SNAP benefits as authorized by the federal government on Saturday November 8. "The federal government is finally reopening, and hardworking Americans will no longer be caught in the middle of Washington's dysfunction. I thank Colorado's food banks, the Department of Human Services, and our local communities for their efforts during this unprecedented time. Keeping people from going hungry should always remain a top priority," said Governor Jared Polis.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on a Senate-passed funding package late Wednesday that funded federal agencies, including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). While certain federal programs were only funded until January, the package funds the USDA through September 30, 2026, including funding for full SNAP payments for the entire month of November. The release of full SNAP food assistance comes after days of uncertainty that left hundreds of thousands of Coloradans, and millions of Americans, without SNAP food assistance for nearly two weeks. This news also provides participants with certainty for their December payments.

Congressional funding also now resolves ongoing confusion and unpredictability created by a series of conflicting updates from the federal government over the last few weeks. Last month, the USDA informed states that it would not fund SNAP during the government shutdown. Following legal action challenging this stance, the federal government moved to provide partial payments to SNAP participants. A subsequent judicial order on November 6 instructed USDA to make full SNAP food assistance available. Colorado worked with its technical partners to immediately begin delivering full November SNAP payments to EBT cards. Those payments were halted late on November 7 after the U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration a pause on fully funding benefits. At the time of the Supreme Court order Colorado was in the process of delivering benefits and has, in fact, already delivered full November benefits to 32,000 Coloradans. Because of the decision, Colorado paused on delivering the remainder. The USDA then instructed states to deliver 65% of SNAP benefits, a process that is now being pivoted to deliver the full 100% of food assistance.

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"After weeks of uncertainty, Coloradans will finally have critical access to food back. No Coloradans should ever have to be in a position where they go hungry or are usure of where their next meal is coming from. This situation has shone a light onto just how valuable programs like SNAP are to thousands in our communities," CDHS Executive Director Michelle Barnes said.

During the shutdown, Colorado acted quickly to provide food for those in need. Governor Jared Polis secured $10 million in emergency funding from the Joint Budget Committee to fund food banks, providing a critical lifeline for communities across the state. Communities across the state also pitched in, raising more than $500,000 through Feeding Colorado to help their friends and neighbors access the food they need.

All SNAP recipients who have opted in for text updates will receive a text from CDHS announcing the news in the next few days. For individuals and families still in need of food resources, we encourage you to reach out to your local food banks or community agencies in your area. To find resources in your area, please contact:
Local communities also may have additional resources available. Contact your local county human services office for more information.

We encourage all Coloradans who are able to support our neighbors to reach out to local food banks and community organizations, or make a donation at www.feedingcolorado.org/donate.
  • While canned food donations are appreciated, cash donations go much further. Food banks and community organizations have much greater purchasing power, so dollars spent buy much more food and have a much greater impact.

With payments coming, CDHS would also like to remind SNAP recipients to protect themselves from potential fraud. There are several simple steps you can take to protect your benefits:
  • When you are not using your card, CDHS recommends that you freeze your EBT card to stop new purchases by logging into the ebtEDGE mobile app or Cardholder Portal.
  • Change your Personal Identification Number (PIN) often to prevent fraudulent charges.
  • Avoid simple PINs.
  • Don't share your PIN or card number with others.
  • Report suspicious activity immediately.

You can find more tips, and a video on protecting your EBT funding, on the CDHS website.

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About the Food and Energy Assistance Division

The CDHS Food and Energy Assistance Division administers programs designed to safeguard the health and well-being of low-income, financially eligible households, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).

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