By Shannon Lukens.
More than 600 people in 423 Routt County households will not receive their SNAP benefits starting this Saturday, Nov. 1. It’s due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Routt County typically distributes about $116,000 in monthly SNAP benefits that are electronically loaded on to EBT (electronic benefit transfer) cards.
Routt County Commissioners discussed the loss of SNAP benefits at their meeting Tuesday and voted unanimously to approve up to $60,000 from County reserves to fund grocery gift cards for SNAP households. The amount per household will be prorated for two weeks, based on each household’s typical SNAP benefits.
Cards will be distributed through Routt County Department of Human Services at 135 6th Street, starting as soon as next Wednesday, Nov. 5. More information is below.
LiftUP of Routt County is also taking food donations.
The Veterans Center at 924 Lincoln Ave. is also collecting dry foods that they will take to the LiftUp Food Bank. So any food can also be dropped off there, and the veterans will get it to LiftUp.
Colorado is part of a 22-state lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture to attempt to force the restart of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Attorney General Phil Weiser and 22 other attorneys general sent the letter today.
“Coloradans should not go hungry during the government shutdown when USDA has reserve funds to meet critical needs. Suspending SNAP benefits at the end of the month will cause grave harm to children, seniors, and veterans who rely on food assistance every day for their meals. USDA must explain what legal authority they have to withhold congressionally mandated funds to the states for food assistance,” said Attorney General Weiser.
Press Release from Routt County; Oct. 28, 2025.
Routt County Responds to SNAP Benefit Disruption
Routt County, CO, October 28, 2025 – Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, more than 600 individuals in 423 Routt County households will not receive their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning November 1, 2025. Routt County typically distributes approximately $116,000 in monthly SNAP benefits, electronically loaded to EBT cards between the 1st and 10th of each month. With the federal system currently inoperable, the County is taking action to support affected residents.
“I am really honored to work for a County that sees value and is considering this plan,” said Kelly Kissling Routt County Department of Human Services Director. “This is a critical moment for many families in our community, we want to ensure that our SNAP qualified residents continue have access to food during this disruption.”
After assessing available options—including prepaid debit cards, food bank capacity, and regional coordination—Routt County has developed a temporary, equitable solution to ensure food access for SNAP recipients. On October 28, 2005 Routt County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve up to $60,000 from County reserves to fund grocery gift cards for SNAP households.
Response Plan
- Funding Authorization: The Board of County Commissioners approved up to $60,000 from County reserves to fund temporary grocery gift cards, covering approximately two weeks of benefits.
- Benefit Amounts: Gift card amounts are based on each household’s typical SNAP benefit, prorated for two weeks and rounded to the nearest $25.
- Card Distribution: Cards will be distributed through Routt County Department of Human Services (DHS) as soon as November 5, 2025, at 135 6th Street, Steamboat Springs. Eligible households can contact the Tech of the Day at 970-870-5280.
- Eligibility & Verification: Card distribution begins November 5, 2025, and must be completed in person by a verified SNAP household member. Households must sign an attestation agreeing to use the cards only for SNAP-eligible groceries. Cards will be issued upon ID verification, and inventory will be tracked daily to prevent duplication. Households with mobility or other barriers should reach out to DHS to arrange alternative solutions. Contact the Tech of the Day at 970-870-5280.
Should the shutdown continue beyond mid-November, the County will assess need and supply of additional grocery cards for the remaining half of the month. SNAP benefits are expected to be released once the shutdown concludes, and the County continues monitoring changes daily.
Ways to Help
If you are interested in supporting our community’s food security during this time, please remember that this is an important giving season for all nonprofits, and that additional support on top of regular giving is critical to maintain as well as enhance support for individuals and families as needs increase.
LiftUp of Routt County is the nexus of food security in Routt County, serving 1 out of 7 of our Routt County neighbors. Contributions of shelf-stable foods and USDA-processed proteins are always welcome, though financial contributions help support the purchase of higher quantities of very low-cost foods through the Food Bank’s existing purchasing partners. Learn more about donating food or funds online at liftuprc.org.
“Many individuals and groups have reached out asking how to help. The best way to support your neighbors right now is to donate funds to LiftUp,” said Melina Bricker, Assistant County Manager for Routt County. “This organization serves 1 in 7 Routt County residents, with as few barriers as possible for people to access nutrition. The food bank’s ability to purchase lower-cost foods also maximizes your dollars and impact for our community.”
To find additional resources in Routt County, please contact:
- Colorado 211: Dial 2-1-1 or (866)760-6489 or visit https://www.211colorado.org
- Feeding Colorado Resources at https://feedingcolorado.org/find-food/ or info@feedingcolorado.org
El condado de Routt responde a la interrupción de los beneficios del SNAP
Condado de Routt, Colorado, 28 de Octubre de 2025. Debido al actual cierre del gobierno federal, más de 600 personas de 423 hogares del condado de Routt no recibirán los beneficios del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP) a partir del 1 de noviembre de 2025. El condado de Routt suele distribuir aproximadamente 116 000 dólares en prestaciones SNAP mensuales, que se cargan electrónicamente en tarjetas EBT entre el 1 y el 10 de cada mes. Dado que el sistema federal no funciona actualmente, el condado está tomando medidas para apoyar a los residentes afectados.
“Es un verdadero honor para mí trabajar para un condado que valora y está considerando este plan,” afirmó Kelly Kissling, directora del Departamento de Servicios Humanos del condado de Routt. “Este es un momento crítico para muchas familias de nuestra comunidad, queremos asegurarnos de que nuestros residentes que cumplen los requisitos del SNAP sigan teniendo acceso a alimentos durante esta interrupción.”
Tras evaluar las opciones disponibles, incluidas las tarjetas de débito prepagadas, la capacidad de los bancos de alimentos y la coordinación regional, el condado de Routt ha desarrollado una solución temporal y equitativa para garantizar el acceso a los alimentos de los beneficiarios del SNAP. El 28 de octubre de 2005, los comisionados del condado de Routt votaron por unanimidad aprobar hasta 60 000 dólares de las reservas del condado para financiar tarjetas regalo de comestibles para los hogares beneficiarios del SNAP.
Plan de respuesta
- Autorización de financiación: La Junta de Comisionados del Condado aprobó hasta 60 000 dólares de las reservas del condado para financiar tarjetas regalo de comestibles temporales, que cubren aproximadamente dos semanas de prestaciones.
- Importes de las prestaciones: Los importes de las tarjetas regalo se basan en la prestación SNAP típica de cada hogar, prorrateada para dos semanas y redondeada a los 25 dólares más cercanos.
- Distribución de las tarjetas: Las tarjetas se distribuirán a través del Departamento de Servicios Humanos (DHS) del condado de Routt a partir del 5 de noviembre de 2025, en el 135 de la calle 6, Steamboat Springs. Los hogares que reúnan los requisitos pueden ponerse en contacto con el técnico de guardia en el 970-870-5280.
- Elegibilidad y verificación: La distribución de las tarjetas comienza el 5 de noviembre de 2025 y debe realizarse en persona por un miembro del hogar verificado del SNAP. Los hogares deben firmar una declaración en la que se comprometen a utilizar las tarjetas únicamente para la compra de alimentos elegibles para el SNAP. Las tarjetas se emitirán tras la verificación de la identidad y se realizará un seguimiento diario del inventario para evitar duplicaciones. Los hogares con movilidad reducida u otras barreras deben ponerse en contacto con el DHS para acordar soluciones alternativas. Póngase en contacto con Tech of the Day en el 970-870-5280.
Si el cierre se prolonga más allá de mediados de noviembre, el condado evaluará la necesidad y el suministro de tarjetas de comestibles adicionales para la segunda mitad del mes. Se espera que las prestaciones del SNAP se liberen una vez que concluya el cierre, y el condado sigue supervisando los cambios diariamente.
Formas de ayudar
Si está interesado en apoyar la seguridad alimentaria de nuestra comunidad durante este periodo, recuerde que esta es una temporada importante para todas las organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro, y que el apoyo adicional a las donaciones habituales es fundamental para mantener y mejorar la ayuda a las personas y familias a medida que aumentan las necesidades.
LiftUp of Routt County es el nexo de la seguridad alimentaria en el condado de Routt, y presta servicio a 1 de cada 7 de nuestros vecinos del condado. Las contribuciones de alimentos no perecederos y proteínas procesadas por el Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA) son siempre bienvenidas, aunque las contribuciones económicas ayudan a financiar la compra de mayores cantidades de alimentos de muy bajo coste a través de los socios comerciales actuales del Banco de Alimentos. Obtenga más información sobre cómo donar alimentos o fondos en línea en liftuprc.org.
“Muchas personas y grupos se han puesto en contacto para preguntar cómo pueden ayudar. La mejor manera de apoyar a sus vecinos en este momento es donar fondos a LiftUp,” dijo Melina Bricker, asistente del administrador del condado de Routt. “Esta organización atiende a 1 de cada 7 residentes del condado de Routt, con las menores barreras posibles para que las personas puedan acceder a la nutrición. La capacidad del banco de alimentos para comprar alimentos de menor costo también maximiza su dinero y el impacto en nuestra comunidad.”
Para encontrar recursos adicionales en el condado de Routt, póngase en contacto con:
- Colorado 211: marque el 2-1-1 o el (866)760-6489 o visite https://www.211colorado.org
- Feeding Colorado Resources en https://feedingcolorado.org/find-food/ o info@feedingcolorado.org