SNAP Cuts Are Coming—What That Means for Eagle County Families

When you visit The Community Market in Gypsum or Edwards, it might look like just another place to get free groceries. But behind every shelf of fresh produce and every volunteer handing out bags is a lifeline—one that could be seriously threatened in the coming months.

The Community Market, operated by Eagle Valley Community Foundation, supports over 4,000 people every week. Many of those families rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)—what used to be called food stamps—to get by. But a new federal bill could upend how families in Eagle County put food on the table.

What’s Changing with SNAP?

The proposed federal budget includes a $230 billion cut to SNAP over the next 10 years. If passed, it would:

• Make it harder for working families, older adults, and caregivers to qualify
• Eliminate the SNAP-Ed nutrition education program, which teaches healthy cooking and budgeting
• Reverse cost-of-living adjustments to SNAP (Thrifty Food Plan updates), shrinking benefit amounts
• Push more program costs onto already-stretched state budgets

For Eagle County—where many already live paycheck-to-paycheck—the impact could be devastating.

This Isn’t Just About Groceries

Let’s be clear: SNAP is more than just a food program. Here’s what it really does:

• Improves health: Children and seniors with SNAP benefits show better nutrition, lower hospitalization rates, and even reduced rates of depression.
• Boosts the economy: Every $1 in SNAP spending generates up to $1.80 in economic activity. In rural communities, that keeps small grocery stores, farms, and food vendors afloat.
• Supports education: Programs like SNAP-Ed teach families how to stretch their food dollars and cook healthy meals on a budget. At The Community Market, these workshops are part of everyday programming.
• Fills the gaps: With housing costs rising in Eagle County, food is often the first thing cut. SNAP ensures people don’t have to choose between paying rent and feeding their kids.

What This Looks Like in Eagle County

At The Community Market, we’ve already seen a 38% increase in local families turning to us for help. And it’s not just the storefronts—we serve rural neighborhoods like Dotsero and Red Cliff with mobile pop-up markets and partner with the MIRA wellness bus to offer on-site SNAP enrollment and health screenings.

If these cuts go through, we’re bracing for:

• Longer lines at food banks
• Less fresh food available
• Cancelled education and wellness programs
• Local vendors losing revenue
• Worsening health outcomes for children, seniors, and working families

The Numbers Don’t Lie

• In 99% of U.S. counties, SNAP benefits already fall short of covering a modestly priced meal.
• Without the Thrifty Food Plan updates, Colorado alone stands to lose $380 million in food assistance over the next decade.
• Job losses from combined SNAP and Medicaid cuts could hit 14,000 in Colorado and 1.2 million nationwide.
• Eliminating SNAP-Ed could gut nutrition classes and cooking workshops that prevent diet-related disease.

What You Can Do Right Now

Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. But here’s how you can make a real difference for families in Eagle County:

Donate to support food access, education, and outreach at The Community Market
Volunteer to staff a market, pack bags, or assist with SNAP enrollments
Call your representatives and tell them to protect SNAP and SNAP-Ed funding
Spread the word—share this blog with friends, family, and coworkers who care

Final Thoughts

SNAP cuts don’t just trim a budget. They take food off the table. They make life harder for neighbors already doing everything they can to make ends meet. In Eagle County, The Community Market stands ready to help—but we can’t do it alone.

Now is the time to raise your voice, show up for your community, and make sure that everyone—regardless of income—can access the nutrition and dignity they deserve.

Want to get involved? Contact us or visit eaglevalleycf.org to learn more.