As of October 1, 2025, the federal government officially shut down after Congress failed to pass a budget for Fiscal Year 2026 by the September 30th deadline. A government shutdown means that the federal government must stop all non-essential services, leading to potential disruptions in public services. The shutdown will continue until Congress passes and the President signs funding legislation.
While there may be questions and concerns about what this means for nutrition programs in Colorado, here is what you need to know:
- Coloradans should continue applying for and using their food benefits.
- October benefits for nutrition programs – including SNAP and WIC – are NOT impacted.
- Nutrition programs, including WIC, remain open for business in Colorado.Â
- Public school students in Colorado can continue to access free meals at school.
- Double Up Food Bucks and Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus continue to operate as usual.
Please share these messages with others! It is important to ensure that Colorado families are aware that their food benefits remain available.
Together with our partners at Hunger Free Colorado, Nourish Colorado, and Feeding Colorado, we have compiled a resource guide outlining impacts to major nutrition programs in our state, which we will keep current throughout the shutdown. We will continue to update this resource as changes occur and as we learn more.
You can read more about what this shutdown means and how we got here in this news story from Colorado Public Radio.
In Solidarity,
Policy & Community Justice Team
Dayana, Brace, Charlie & Grace
