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DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law to refer two ballot measures to Colorado voters regarding the continuation of the Healthy School Meals for All program.
“Colorado children should never have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “The Healthy School Meals for All program has improved the health and educational success of Colorado students. Now, Colorado voters will be able to decide if we continue this program to reduce childhood hunger or will have to scale it back. At a time when Congressional Republicans are considering deep cuts to nutrition assistance, we should be doing all we can to make sure our students have food to eat in school.”
“Kids in school should be thinking about their next math test – not worrying about going hungry,” said Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City. “In 2022, voters approved the Healthy School Meals for All program, which made a significant positive impact on Colorado students and their families. This law will allow the voters to reaffirm their support for our state’s children and their educational success.”
“Every single Colorado kid, regardless of their income, should be able to eat a healthy, filling breakfast and lunch without worrying about the cost,” said Senator Katie Wallace, D-Longmont. “The Healthy School Meals for All program has been extremely successful in Colorado – it has reduced the stigma associated with free and reduced lunch, helped Colorado kids succeed, and allowed families breathe a little easier with less strain on their budgets. This law empowers Colorado voters to decide on the future of this beneficial program.”
HB25-1274 will refer two ballot measures to Colorado voters in the November 2025 election to determine whether or not to continue funding the program as is, increase funding for the program or scale it back. One ballot measure asks voters if they want the state to be able to retain and spend state revenue on the Healthy School Meals for All Program above the original estimate, which will otherwise need to be refunded to taxpayers who earn over $300,000 a year. The second ballot measure asks voters if they want to expand the program by further limiting tax deductions for those who earn over $300,000 a year.
If at least one of the two measures is approved by Colorado voters, the law will extend the local school purchasing program, which is set to repeal after FY 2025-2026.
In 2022, Colorado voters approved Proposition FF, creating the Healthy School Meals for All program to provide all Colorado students free breakfast and lunch. The program was funded by limiting income tax reductions for taxpayers who have a federal adjusted gross income of $300,000 or more. The 2025-2026 budget, approved by the Colorado General Assembly in April 2025, fully funds the Healthy School Meals for All program through the end of the year.
As Colorado works to expand access to healthy school meals for children, Congress is considering the GOP budget proposal that would significantly pare back SNAP benefits for children and families. Under this proposal, state and county costs across Colorado are expected to increase by approximately $260 million annually. The GOP budget proposal also heightens eligibility requirements for food assistance programs, making it more difficult for Coloradans over 55 and families with children between 8 and 18 years old to receive the support they need.