New Analysis: Over 27,000 Coloradans Have Lost SNAP Benefits Under Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

SNAP Participation Falls by More Than 4.5 Million Nationwide

WASHINGTON - New analysis from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities shows that 27,486 fewer Coloradans have SNAP benefits under President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' Act, which was signed into law one year ago this month. The data, which covers the period between the law's enactment in July 2025 and April 2026, shows that SNAP participation fell by more than 4.5 million people nationwide-an 11% decline.

"The One Big Beautiful Bill took food assistance away from Colorado's poorest families to fund tax breaks for billionaires," said Hickenlooper. "In the wealthiest country on earth, it's unconscionable that vulnerable people are going hungry. We need to address the cost-of-living emergency and restore these badly needed SNAP benefits - ASAP."

Last year, Hickenlooper raised the alarm when Trump and MAGA Republicans' Big Ugly Betrayal Bill cut billions from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to pay for a $3 trillion tax break for the wealthiest Americans. As a direct rebuke, Hickenlooper introduced the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act to repeal the cuts and restore food access for millions of Americans.

The SNAP cuts are the single largest in the program in history, a $187 billion cut through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The cuts are also shifting billions in costs to states, raising concerns that many states will be forced to dramatically reduce or eliminate their SNAP programs. Hickenlooper rallied fellow former governors to warn about the impact of these cuts on state budgets. On average, states will be forced to spend two to three times more on SNAP than they do today. In Colorado, SNAP cost-share will rise from $94 million to $272 million, a 188% increase.

This all comes at a time when the Trump economy is already hitting American pocketbooks hard. Trump's tariffs apply to a large amount of U.S. food imports, making every trip to the grocery store less affordable. Adding insult to injury, the Trump administration's war with Iran has sent diesel and fertilizer prices skyrocketing for farmers.

###