Colorado Families and Rural Communities Rally Against Proposed SNAP Benefit Cuts

Colorado communities from the Eastern Plains to the Front Range are speaking out as proposed federal cuts to food assistance programs threaten to impact thousands of local families. U.S. Senator Michael Bennet met Thursday with Colorado residents who shared their concerns about potential reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The roundtable discussion brought together diverse voices from across the state, including a grocery store manager from rural Baca County and a Wellington farmer, highlighting how these cuts could affect both urban and rural Colorado communities.

Local Impact Reaches Beyond Individual Families

For Colorado's rural communities, SNAP benefits play a crucial dual role - helping families put food on the table while supporting local grocery stores and farmers. The proposed cuts could create ripple effects across the state's agricultural and retail sectors.

• Rural grocery stores depend on SNAP purchases to maintain profitability
• Local farmers rely on the steady market that food assistance programs provide
• Food banks across Colorado may face increased demand if cuts are approved

Rural Colorado Businesses Voice Concerns

The participation of business owners from communities like Baca County - one of Colorado's most rural regions - underscores how federal food assistance programs help maintain the economic vitality of small-town Colorado. These programs often make the difference between rural grocery stores staying open or closing their doors permanently.

The roundtable highlighted how proposed cuts could disproportionately impact:

• Military families near bases in Colorado Springs and Aurora
• Rural communities already struggling with food access
• Small business owners in agricultural communities
• Colorado farmers who supply food to local markets

As Congress continues to debate these potential cuts, Colorado communities are making their voices heard about the essential role these programs play in maintaining both food security and local economic stability.

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