Oh, SNAP!

In addition to tightening eligibility for SNAP benefits, President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed in July also made cuts to how much money the federal government gives states for program implementation on the local level. Specifically, the bill reduced federal contribution from 50% of SNAP administrative costs to 25%, leaving states on the hook for the difference.

The change is predicted to cost Colorado $50 million starting next year to fully fund SNAP at its current level.

At the same time, the state’s popular Healthy School Meals for All program, which offer free breakfast and lunch to all students, is facing a budget shortfall due to higher-than-projected costs and demand. The program, launched in 2023, is primarily funded by capping state income tax deductions for those making $300,000 or more (known as Proposition FF, passed in 2022). However, the funding was only enough to cover meal reimbursements and administrative costs, leaving no money for other promised elements like grants for local food purchases and increased wages for cafeteria worker wages.

To cover these costs, two ballot initiatives, Proposition MM and Proposition LL, appear on the November ballot. They would allow the state to retain $12.4 million excessive tax revenues from Prop FF while raising taxes on those making more than $300,000 a year. Revenues would pay for the shortfall in the free school meal program with the excess being used to fund SNAP.

Under the ballot measures, the state would have to fully fund the free school meal program before any of the money could be spent on SNAP. The remaining revenue would go to SNAP administration, outreach and nutrition education.

If voters approve the ballot initiatives, they’re projected to raise an additional $95 million for the state, which sponsors say would be enough to fully fund both school lunches and SNAP.

If the measures don’t pass and the state doesn’t come up with money to fully fund SNAP, most of the impacts would fall on counties who administer the program, including reviewing application, according to sponsors of the measures.