DENVER ~ In a joint effort, Governor Polis and a coalition of organizations have come together to urge Congress not to cut off Coloradans from critical SNAP support. The coalition, which includes farming groups, local government officials, state agencies, and hunger organizations such as Hunger Free Colorado and Feeding Colorado, is calling for the protection of food access for vulnerable Americans.

In a letter addressed to Congress, Governor Polis and the coalition emphasized the importance of SNAP as a lifeline for those in need and as a support system for agricultural producers. They expressed concern over proposals included in H.R. 1 that would weaken the infrastructure of the food safety net and place an unexpected financial burden on states during a time of budget constraints.

Currently, approximately 617,000 Coloradans receive at least $120 million in SNAP benefits each month. This amount is enough to provide about 48 meals per person per month. In 2024, nearly one million individuals in Colorado received SNAP benefits, with half of them being children and ten percent being older Americans. Additionally, SNAP injects over $486 million into the economy through wages for over ten thousand jobs in Colorado's food supply chain.

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The coalition also highlighted the impact of SNAP on public safety. By providing proper nutrition to children and vulnerable adults, investments in SNAP can lead to decreases in theft rates, relationship violence rates, and recidivism rates.

The proposed changes to cost-sharing in H.R. 1 would have severe consequences for Colorado. The new match requirement and other changes could cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars annually – up to $360 million in the House-passed version and up to $200 million in the currently proposed Senate version. This sudden reversal of the federal-state compact would place an unmanageable financial burden on Colorado and could result in cuts to SNAP or other critical state-funded initiatives.

Joël McClurg, executive director of systems for the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, emphasized the devastating impact these proposed cuts would have on communities across the state, especially in rural areas. The burden of new costs would fall on already struggling counties, forcing them to choose between absorbing the costs or cutting critical services.

Chad Franke, President of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, also spoke out in support of SNAP. He highlighted the program's value in providing a market for local farmers and ranchers and urged Congress to protect components such as Double Up Food Bucks, which supports local food systems.

In conclusion, Governor Polis and the coalition are urging Congress to consider the devastating consequences of cutting SNAP and to protect food access for vulnerable Americans. They also emphasize the importance of SNAP in supporting agricultural producers and its role in promoting public safety.

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