Early this week, Trump administration officials warned they may stop sending money for SNAP aid as early as next week to some Democratic-led states, including Colorado.
The announcement raises the risk of another lapse just weeks after thousands of Montezuma County participants faced a disruption.
State officials from the Department of Human Services said they have not received formal notice of any funding cutoff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
However, the most recent statement did not guarantee December benefits and said CDHS continues to monitor the situation. The agency encourages SNAP participants to check EBT card balances using the MyCOBenefits mobile app, the ebtEDGE app or portal, or by calling 888-328-2656.
The uncertainty is part of a larger dispute involving pending litigation between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and 21 states, as well as the District of Columbia — including Colorado. The states and D.C. sued over a federal demand to turn over personal data of SNAP recipients dating back to January 2020. The Trump administration says the information is needed to target what it describes as widespread waste, fraud and abuse in the roughly $100 billion program. States administer SNAP locally, but the bulk of the funding for food comes from the federal government.
The lawsuit alleges “the federal government's unprecedented demands are unlawful” and outside the scope of its authority.
If SNAP is paused, it would carry significant consequences in Montezuma County, where the program is a core part of the food safety net for thousands of households, including seniors, people with disabilities, low-wage workers and residents facing high costs for housing, groceries and medication.
The program electronically delivers food assistance to more than 600,000 people in Colorado and over 40 million nationwide. In Montezuma County, 4,912 residents receive SNAP benefits; in Dolores County, the number is 271.
The recent federal government shutdown paused November benefits for two weeks and caused immediate strain. Montezuma County Social Services and local food pantries saw record demand during the lapse, including 180 phone calls to the department in a single day from residents seeking information.
Montezuma County Social Services Director Kelli Hargraves said in a November interview that the disruption forced families to make difficult choices between buying food and paying rent, utilities, car loans or medications.
She said that destabilization creates consequences that trickle down, with potential evictions, utility shutoffs, larger health concerns and long-term barriers.
Food banks and meal programs across the county — from Good Sam’s Food Pantry to Grace’s Kitchen — reported the same surge in need.
If residents experience a delay in SNAP funding again, Montezuma County has multiple free or low-cost food resources available. A local and regional guide published by Ballantine Communications also lists services across Dolores, San Juan (N.M.) and La Plata counties. To view, visit:
Montezuma County Cares: https://www.the-journal.com/montezuma-county-cares/
• San Juan County: https://www.tricityrecordnm.com/san-juan-county-cares/
County food support options in the above guide are listed below. The guide does not yet include the Dolores Family Project, which distributes a community pantry every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in December at the Dolores Community Center:
- Good Sam’s Food Pantry in Cortez.
- Evangel Assembly of God in Cortez.
- Family Worship Center.
- Mancos FoodShare.
- ROCK Food Distribution.
- Dove Creek Care and Share Food Pantry.
- Rico Pantry.
- Care and Share Mobile Market in Towaoc.
- Senior lunches through Meals on Wheels.
- The Montezuma County Senior Center.
- Four Corners Food Not Bombs.
- Hope’s Kitchen at First United Methodist Church (hot meals Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays).
- Grace’s Kitchen at St. Barnabas (hot meals Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays).
- Disabled American Veterans food pantry.
- Dolores County Department of Social Services.
More information is also available on the county social services website on food assistance, at https://montezumacounty.org/social-services/food-assistance/
