Rep. Hurd talks SNAP freeze with Montezuma County commissioners

Rep. Jeff Hurd (top left) joined virtually Oct. 27 for a meeting with Montezuma County commissioners and Social Services Director Kelli Hargraves. Other attendees included Amy Huff (bottom left), Hurd’s southwest regional director, and District Director Betsy Bair. (Courtesy of Montezuma County)

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Rep. Jeff Hurd (top left) joined virtually Oct. 27 for a meeting with Montezuma County commissioners and Social Services Director Kelli Hargraves. Other attendees included Amy Huff (bottom left), Hurd’s southwest regional director, and District Director Betsy Bair. (Courtesy of Montezuma County)

Rep. Jeff Hurd joined a public meeting with the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners on Monday to discuss ongoing SNAP benefits cuts amid a monthslong federal government shutdown.

Hurd, a Republican freshman representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, said he was reaching out to establish contact with commissioners about the SNAP situation.

“I know this is something that affects every single one of the 27 counties in my district,” Hurd said, before later adding, “the news right now is not great.”

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food aid to over 40 million Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A government shutdown over Congress’ unresolved budget has halted SNAP funding, with no money planned for November and no emergency funds scheduled for states.

Colorado helps more than 600,000 people access food through SNAP. About half are children.

More than 4,900 recipients live in Montezuma County, county Social Services Director Kelli Hargraves said Monday.

Hargraves said the county is working with nonprofit food providers to pool resources. Officials and several nonprofits met Oct. 21 to discuss the situation, according to a recording shared with The Journal.

The county posted a list of local food resources on its webpage and Facebook page.

The cuts are also expected to affect WIC – the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – the Governor’s Office said.

“I can tell you that we are concerned that we won't have what our community needs,” Hargraves said. “We're a food desert in the state of Colorado here in Montezuma County.”

“This is a failure of the federal government, specifically the United States Senate, to do its job and to keep the government open,” Hurd said. “This is a completely unnecessary, self-inflicted harm.”

Hargraves added detail in response to Hurd’s questions about how the county is experiencing the freeze.

“Our local food pantries and providers are indicating an influx,” Hargraves said. “So they have seen more folks walk into their door.”

Hargraves said 15% of SNAP recipients in the county are elderly and 10% are disabled.

“I believe that our elderly population will be hit the hardest for a variety of reasons. But a significant piece of that is the rural nature of our community and the accessibility of food pantries.”

Those with limited transportation and smaller incomes will struggle to access food, she said.

“We've projected our food pantries and providers will see a 25% increase over the coming weeks,” she said.

Hurd represents over 730,000 people. His vote is one among 434 representatives and 100 senators.

He said the latest version of a spending bill passed in the House but failed in the Senate Tuesday as Democrats sought negotiations over expiring health insurance subsidies.

Hurd voted to reopen the government. That bill has now failed in the Senate 13 times.

“We kind of wrote the book on shutting down the government over not getting what we wanted and it never worked back then,” Hurd said, referring to his party’s past shutdowns.

“I don’t think its a useful exercise for our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to be doing it now.”

Following a suggestion by Commissioner Kent Lindsay, Hurd said it could help for the BOCC to contact Colorado Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and urge them to vote to reopen the government.

The congressman made his position clear.

“I am on a bill that would extend the enhanced premium tax credits,” he said. “I'm about ready to get on a bill that would extend SNAP benefits even when the government is closed.”

In a recent newsletter, Hurd shared a letter to the House declining his salary during the funding lapse.

“I'm not taking my congressionally allotted pay while the government’s shut down,” he said.

Rep. Jeff Hurd sent a letter dated Oct. 24 to the U.S. House Chief Administrative Officer declining his congressional salary during the government shutdown. He included the letter in his regular email newsletter. (Courtesy of Rep. Jeff Hurd)

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Rep. Jeff Hurd sent a letter dated Oct. 24 to the U.S. House Chief Administrative Officer declining his congressional salary during the government shutdown. He included the letter in his regular email newsletter. (Courtesy of Rep. Jeff Hurd)

List of local food resources shared on the Montezuma County Facebook page Oct. 24 (Courtesy photo)

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List of local food resources shared on the Montezuma County Facebook page Oct. 24 (Courtesy photo)