Page 3

2 2. Statement of Need The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) oversees the management and administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is the most extensive nutritional assistance program in the nation, and CDHS is committed to providing the program to those individuals that are eligible and in need of this key strategy for fighting food insecurity in Colorado. CDHS is also working to increase public awareness by reaching out to households that may be eligible for SNAP benefits. The main approach CDHS has is to form partnerships with strategic agencies (SNAP Outreach Partners) that have the experience and training to provide SNAP application assistance. SNAP Outreach partners maintain strong, trusted relationships with a range of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), referred to as subrecipients in this plan, that are uniquely positioned to reach communities across the state who may otherwise be missed by traditional outreach efforts. Each CBO brings specialized programs and deep community connections that allow for more targeted and effective engagement. These partnerships play a critical role in ensuring that eligible individuals and families, regardless of location, language, or life circumstances, are aware of and able to access SNAP benefits According to Feeding America, in 2023, one in eight Coloradans are struggling with hunger. There are over 744,950 people facing hunger in Colorado, with just under 172,540 of them being children.1 On average, between 2021 and 2023, 11% of Colorado kids lived in households that were food-insecure at some point during the year. From 2021 to 2023, the cost of living increased by 6.77% and between 2023 and 2024 the price of food rose to 2%.2 The share of Colorado households with kids where children were not eating enough because food was unaffordable ranged from 18% in June 2020 to a high of 37% in December 2021-January 2022.3 These numbers underscore the ongoing and urgent need to strengthen food assistance programs like SNAP and expand outreach efforts across the state. Disparities exist for people of color as well as those living in rural and frontier areas. Those who identify as American Indian Alaska Native, Black or African American, Multi racial, or Hispanic, as well as individuals born outside of the U.S., and people living in rural and frontier areas are more likely to experience poverty than the general population of Colorado. Veterans, college students, and older adults are experiencing food and housing insecurity at rising rates. These populations have some unique needs that should be prioritized in the FFY26 plan. To be effective this federal fiscal year, SNAP Outreach efforts will need to use innovative strategies and engage with broad range subrecipients to better serve these communities. There has been an increase in SNAP enrollment from 584,416 in 2024 to 615,319 Coloradans are enrolled in SNAP in 20254 While SNAP participation among low-income individuals increased 1 Feeding America. (2023). Colorado. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from Feedingamerica.org website: https://map.feedingamerica.org/county/2023/overall/colorado 2 Kids Count in Colorado 2025 data book. (2025). In Colorado Kids. Retrieved from https://www.coloradokids.org/wp- content/uploads/2025/05/KIDS-COUNT-2025-ENG-PDF-LINKS-5.28.25.pdf 3 Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids. (2022). Retrieved from https://denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/1/public-health- and-environment/documents/cbh/healthy-food-for-denvers-kids/2022-reports/hfdk-report_year2-final-508_1.pdf 4 SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: NUMBER OF PERSONS PARTICIPATING