DENVER, CO (May 11, 2026) – The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) successfully brought the state into full compliance with federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) timeliness standards, prompting the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to release Colorado from formal escalation procedures.
"This was a true collaborative effort," said Shelley Banker, director of the Colorado Office of Economic Security. "Our county partners were at the heart of this success. Their hard work ensured that thousands of families across our state no longer face delays when putting food on the table."
The announcement follows a historic, multi-year turnaround in how the state and its 64 county partners process SNAP benefits. Colorado boosted its Application Processing Time (APT) rate from 71.5% to a sustained 97% after the federal Corrective Action Plan began in late 2023. This percentage reflects the proportion of individuals and families whose SNAP applications are processed within federal timeliness guidelines.
A Milestone for Colorado Families
While the federal release marks a major operational achievement, CDHS leadership remains focused on the human element of these improvements.
"This achievement is about more than just meeting a federal performance goal; it's about the 76,000 additional Coloradans who now receive their benefits exactly when they need them," said Abby McClelland, director of the Food and Energy Assistance Division. "While we celebrate this milestone for our state, we remain deeply mindful that food insecurity is a daily struggle for many, and our work to improve access never stops."
The Road to Compliance
In 2024, Governor Jared Polis set a Wildly Important Goal (WIG) to reach 95% timeliness. Through the "95% SNAP Timeliness Project," the state utilized intensive county support and data-driven process improvements to eliminate backlogs.
- Statewide Success: For the first time in recent history, every single Colorado county reached the 95% threshold.
- Rapid Improvement: Major gains in high-volume counties like El Paso, Jefferson and Denver were instrumental in the state's recovery.
- Sustainable Systems: FNS noted in its release letter that Colorado has made "significant strides" and "commends Colorado’s staff for your dedication."
Looking Ahead
CDHS continues to work closely with federal and local partners to maintain these high standards.
For Coloradans dealing with food insecurity, including those who may lose SNAP benefits due to recent eligibility changes, CDHS encourages the use of alternative community food resources to ensure no Coloradan goes hungry:
Hunger Free Colorado: Food Finder page.
Colorado 211: Dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211colorado.org.
Feeding Colorado: Visit www.feedingcolorado.org/find-food.
Families seeking local assistance should contact local food banks or county human services offices for additional community-based support.
The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) works with partners to empower Coloradans to thrive. CDHS oversees the state’s 64 county departments of human services, public mental health institutions, and various programs designed to support the safety and well-being of Colorado’s most vulnerable populations.
Media contact:
John Rosa, Communications Manager
Colorado Department of Human Services
Office of Economic Security
john.rosa@state.co.us