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Colorado Employment First FFY2026 Program Operator Handbook

State of Colorado, Department of Human Services SNAP Employment and Training

Last updated: July 9, 2026

This handbook is a living document and is subject to change throughout the 2026 Federal Fiscal Year.

Table of Contents Acronyms 1 Summary of Employment First 3 Use of Program Operator Handbook 4 State Employment First Team Directory 4 Program Resources 4 Employment First Funding 4 Employment First Allocation Methodology 6 Employment First Partnerships 7 Partnership with Local SNAP Eligibility Teams 7 Who Is an EF Client? 7 Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs) 8 Recruitment and Engagement 8 Screening and Referrals to Employment First 9 Provider Determination (PD) 11 Employment First Program Enrollment 14 Employment First Program Statuses 14 Case Management 16 Co-Enrollment 18 Supportive Payments (Participant Reimbursements) 22 Employment First Job Retention 25 Activity Hour Data Entry 25

1575 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 P 303.866.5700 cdhs.colorado.gov

Jared Polis, Governor | Michelle Barnes, Executive Director