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SNAP data and research

This page includes commonly requested data about Colorado's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as well as related research. If you'd like to request data not listed on this page, please email our Data, Strategy, and Analytics (DAS) team at: cdhs_das@state.co.us. 

SNAP data

Application data

The following reports show SNAP applications by county, broken down by month.

Issuance data

The following reports show information about caseloads, issuance amounts and clients.

Other data

SNAP research

“Co-Enrollment in SNAP and Health First Colorado by County.” This study by the University of Colorado School of Medicine Farley Health Policy Center looks at the differences between counties in co-enrollment rates for SNAP, Medicaid and CHP+.

“Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation and Health Care Cost & Utilization for Health First Colorado Members.” This study by the University of Colorado School of Medicine Farley Health Policy Center explores how being part of both SNAP and Medicaid might affect healthcare costs and usage for residents covered by Health First Colorado.

Using Colorado Longitudinal Data to Address Food Insecurity and Support Equity in Postsecondary Education

Nearly one in four college students face food insecurity. This RAND research study was produced in partnership with the Colorado Department of Higher Education, the Colorado Department of Human Services and the Linked Information Network of Colorado (LINC).

“Addressing College Student Food Insecurity in Colorado.” (June 2025) Researchers looked at how college students in Colorado moved through the SNAP pipeline, from eligibility and applications to denials and actual enrollment. The study tracks those trends across eight academic years, from 2014-15 through 2021-22. Researchers identified differences in SNAP eligibility and participation across student subgroups and Colorado institutions. It also explores best practices for colleges to scale SNAP outreach and application support.

“College Students and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Colorado.” (June 2026) This research brief provides updated trends to the 2025 RAND study with an additional two years of data. The authors included key findings to inform state agencies, colleges and counties about college student SNAP participation in Colorado.

“Levers for Increasing College Student Access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.” (June 2026) This RAND study builds evidence on how federal and state policy levers could expand SNAP access for college students. The research team provides estimates for potential changes in SNAP participation rates under four scenarios:

  1. adoption of federal student eligibility rules temporarily implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic,
  2. expanded state agency staff authority to interpret student eligibility rules, 
  3. statewide outreach, and
  4. college-based case management support.

“What States Can Do to Boost College Student Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.” (June 2026) This research brief aims to inform state leaders from higher education and human services agencies exploring ways to expand SNAP access for college students. It explores a pair of policy levers that state leaders can use, backed up by evidence, using Colorado data, on how student SNAP participation might increase.

“What Colleges Can Do to Boost Student Participation in SNAP.” (June 2026) This research brief includes high-level evidence for college administrators, basic needs staff at colleges and state agencies coordinating with institutions of higher education seeking to expand SNAP support services for students.