As a state we took some promising hunger-solving steps during Colorado’s 2019 legislative session. Our Policy Department has worked tirelessly to introduce and support policies that secure food resources and access for our fellow Coloradans. And we’re immensely thankful to everyone who attended our Day at the Capitol and signed our petition at the Hike to End Hunger!
Below is a snapshot of our recent policy work. To read the full report, visit HungerFreeColorado.org/policy-and-advocacy/.
Colorado Food Pantry Assistance Grant (2018 & 2019)
Hunger Free Colorado worked closely with the Joint Budget Committee to establish the Colorado Food Pantry Assistance Grant.
- Supports food pantries and food banks in purchasing critical meat, dairy and fresh produce from local Colorado farmers and ranchers.
- $500,000 was appropriated in 2018 and an additional $100,000 to fund the program in 2019
- Enables food pantries and producers to collaborate in providing fresh healthy food for Coloradans in need.
Rule Change Bolsters Food Assistance for Older Coloradans and People with Disabilities (2019)
This rule change, implemented March 15, 2019, has the potential to increase food stamp benefits for people with disabilities and older adults. It was developed by Hunger Free Colorado and the Colorado Center on Law and Policy.
- Households that include a person with a disability or an older adult can deduct their medical expenses in excess of $35 from their income when applying for food stamps (SNAP) raising their monthly benefit amount.
- Increased the medical mileage reimbursement rate from the IRS medical to the IRS business rate, allowing more Coloradans to deduct their medical expenses and ensuring that benefit amounts account for the true cost of medical care for older adults and Coloradans with disabilities.
Expand Child Nutrition School Lunch Protection Act (2019)
Also known as HB19-1171, this act expands access to affordable school lunches to high school students by covering the copay for students who qualify for reduced-price lunches. This bill ensures that Colorado’s students have the fuel needed to succeed in school and helps to prevent money-based shaming in school cafeterias.
Hunger is solvable but we can’t do it without YOUR support.
If you’re interested in ending hunger, sign up for our emails. (We won’t spam you, we promise!) You’ll receive:
- Updates about policy wins we started or supported
- Action alerts for policy that is attempting to weaken critical food resource programs
Hunger Free Colorado works from the federal to the local level to streamline processes and adopt policies and best practices that help alleviate hunger throughout the state. To support our policy work through a monthly donation, join the Full Plate Society!