News & Updates

DENVER — The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) today announced $23.8 million in Healthy School Meals for All grants to help schools across Colorado purchase locally grown foods, expand scratch cooking and increase pay for frontline school nutrition staff. These two non-competitive grants – the Local Food Program Grant and Wages and Stipends Grant – […]

A federal court ruling this week has blocked efforts to restrict what foods and beverages Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants can purchase, a huge win for Colorado families.

DENVER, CO — Hunger Free Colorado is encouraging families across the state to prepare for the return of Summer EBT (also known as SUN Bucks), a vital program that helps ensure children have access to nutritious food when school is out of session. Beginning in late May 2026, eligible families will receive a one-time benefit […]

The 2026 legislative session has come to a close and it brought decisions that will shape food access, how families meet their basic needs, and our daily lives.  This year’s session unfolded under the same pressures many Coloradans are feeling every day: rising costs and tight budgets. With a state budget facing a deficit of […]

Last week, our Hunger Free Colorado team had the opportunity to join advocates from across the country in Washington, D.C. for the 2026 National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, hosted by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). It was a powerful few days of learning, connection, and action—grounded in a shared commitment to ending hunger and […]

DENVER, CO — After two hearings with overwhelming opposition and a pending lawsuit, the Colorado Department of Human Services has hit pause on the proposed “Healthy Choice” SNAP Waiver, a policy that would have restricted the purchase of certain beverages with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The waiver has been removed from the Colorado […]

Across Colorado, a growing number of families are struggling to afford food. At the same time, federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are increasing barriers for families and shifting new costs to the state. As these pressures grow, one thing remains clear: SNAP is the strongest tool we have to close the […]

Last week’s State Board of Human Services hearing on the proposed “Healthy Choice” SNAP waiver drew significant media attention across Colorado and nationally, amplifying the voices of SNAP recipients, advocates, and community leaders who spoke out about the potential negative impacts of restricting food choices for low-income families. After nearly seven hours of testimony, the […]

Colorado State Board Delays Vote on Proposed SNAP Restrictions Following Overwhelming Community Opposition DENVER, CO — In a decision today, the Colorado State Board of Human Services voted to delay the vote on the proposed “Healthy Choice” SNAP Waiver until April 3, postponing a policy that would restrict the purchase of certain beverages with Supplemental […]

In January 1969, The Black Panther Party, founded by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale to fight police violence and state oppression, launched a program that would challenge the nation’s approach to childhood hunger: the Free Breakfast for School Children Program at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Oakland, California.   The Black Panther Party brought together their members, volunteers, and community […]

SNAP recipients, healthcare professionals, retailers, and anti-hunger advocates from across Colorado testified today in overwhelming opposition to the proposed Colorado SNAP ‘Healthy Choice’ Waiver during the first public hearing before the Colorado State Board of Human Services.

Hunger Free Colorado stands in solidarity with Minneapolis and communities across the country living with fear and grief amid increased federal immigration enforcement. A just food system cannot exist where violence, detention, and family separation undermine safety, dignity, and access to food.

On January 14, Colorado lawmakers return to the State Capitol to begin the 2026 Legislative Session. Hunger Free Colorado is focused on two policy priorities that directly impact families’ ability to access food: fully implementing Healthy School Meals for All and keeping SNAP strong.  

Last updated 10/28/25 TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress and the USDA to fund SNAP now! As the Federal Government Shutdown continues, the status of nutrition programs is quickly changing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not released the funds that states use to pay SNAP (food assistance) benefits. This means Colorado is currently unable to […]

Hunger Free Colorado, Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, and Nourish Colorado are disappointed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s approval of Colorado’s waiver request to restrict the purchase of sweetened beverages with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. This restrictive policy conflicts with SNAP’s core purpose.

The 2025 Colorado legislative session came to a close earlier this month, and we’re reflecting on what we accomplished together—and what still lies ahead in the fight for food justice across our state. This session was filled with powerful wins, hard truths, and a deepening understanding that lasting change only happens when communities show up […]

On Monday night, the House Agriculture Committee released a reconciliation bill that proposes unprecedented and deeply harmful cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—a move that threatens to unravel one of our nation’s most effective anti-hunger tools. This bill would slash billions in food assistance over the next decade, jeopardizing the health and well-being […]

On Wednesday, February 19th, Hunger Free Colorado, in partnership with Save the Children Action Network and Clayton Early Learning, gathered with over 100 advocates to rally in solidarity before walking to the Colorado State Capitol for a powerful day of action. The goal: to champion policies that support the well-being of Colorado’s children.

By Julia Wu, Policy Intern, Fall 2024 SNAP participants receive their monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which functions like a debit card. The transition from the paper vouchers used when the program first began to today’s EBT cards has significantly improved the consumer experience for SNAP participants. However, while EBT cards […]

Standing Strong for Healthy Food Access, Justice, and Dignity   As we reflect on a challenging week, Hunger Free Colorado reaffirms our unwavering commitment to stand alongside our most impacted community members and continue the fight for a just food system—one where all Coloradans can access nutritious, culturally relevant foods with autonomy and dignity. We […]