Committee Passes Legislation to Protect Food Assistance for Colorado Kids & Families

SB25B-003 would modify Proposition MM to include funding for SNAP

DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed a bill sponsored by Representatives Lorena Garcia and Katie Stewart that would give voters the opportunity to fund food assistance for Colorado students and families. SB25B-001 passed by a vote of 9-4, without a single House Republican voting in support.

“Every Coloradan should be outraged that Trump and Congressional Republicans’ budget offers significant tax breaks to mega corporations while jeopardizing food security for children and families,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “SNAP and Healthy School Meals for All are life-saving programs, and there will be crushing consequences if they are not fully funded. I am disappointed in our GOP federal delegation for voting for H.R.1, but this bill gives Coloradans the opportunity to blunt some of the cuts to food assistance programs and prevent children from going hungry.”

“It breaks my heart that over 600,000 Coloradans, especially children, will be impacted by the SNAP cuts under Trump’s budget bill,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango. “Families struggling with food insecurity should never have to worry about when their next meal will be, which is why Colorado Democrats helped create the Healthy School Meals for All program and have continuously invested in programs like SNAP and EBT. Our bill would add SNAP to Proposition MM, giving Colorado voters the opportunity to continue programs that keep vulnerable Coloradans fed.”

SB25B-003 would modify Proposition MM, which the Legislature referred to the November 2025 ballot, to give Colorado voters the opportunity to direct funds to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after the Healthy School Meals for All program is fully funded.

In June, Governor Polis signed a law that will refer two ballot measures, Propositions LL and MM, to Colorado voters to determine whether or not to continue funding the Healthy School Meals for All program, which offers free, nutritious school meals to all public school students.

In July, Congressional Republicans made unprecedented cuts to SNAP with the passage of H.R.1, slashing millions from the program that helps families put food on the table. Now, more than 300,000 low-income Colorado families – including children, older adults, and people with disabilities – are at risk of going hungry. By adjusting Proposition MM to include SNAP, voters would have the opportunity this November to fully fund the successful Healthy School Meals for All program and help fund SNAP. 

If Proposition MM passes, it could raise up to $95 million per year by limiting state income tax deductions for households earning over $300,000. These new revenues would first ensure that the Healthy School Meals program is fully funded, and then any remaining funds could support SNAP.