By High Country Advocate Staff
October 29, 2025 — Salida, CO
The Chaffee County Board of Commissioners, chaired by P.T. Wood, held a special meeting on October 28 to respond to an impending food-assistance shortfall caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown.
With an estimated 1,800 residents facing delays in their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) deposits for November, the board voted unanimously to provide $75,000 in emergency county funding to ensure families have access to food during the first half of the month.
SNAP Delay Leaves Hundreds Without Food Funds
Chair P.T. Wood said he felt “compelled to call this meeting” after learning that SNAP recipients would not receive their regular benefits between November 1 and 15.
“Those payments may get backfilled later,” Wood noted, “but that doesn’t help people who need to eat over the next two weeks.”
Monica Haskell, director of the Chaffee County Department of Human Services (DHS), told commissioners that about **1,200 families — roughly 1,800 people — **depend on SNAP locally. The interruption equals nearly $360,000 in lost monthly aid.
Governor Jared Polis has asked the state’s Joint Budget Committee to dedicate $10 million statewide to food banks, Haskell said, but those funds have not yet been released.
“To bridge the gap, we need local action now,” she told the board.
Community Foundation Mobilizes
Betsy Dittenber, executive director of the Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF), said her board had already voted to activate its Emergency Response Fund for this crisis, approving $50,000 for direct relief and reviewing another $25,000 for food-pantry operations.
“We’ve been preparing for this possibility since March,” Dittenber explained.
“A dollar spent through a food bank can stretch much farther than a dollar at retail, but both immediate gift cards and expanded pantry support are essential.”
She outlined a three-part strategy:
- Immediate relief — grocery gift cards for the most vulnerable SNAP recipients.
- Short-term reinforcement — grants to food banks and meal providers to meet rising demand.
- Long-term stability — investment in a coordinated countywide food-access network to withstand future disruptions.
County Commits $75,000 in Emergency Funds
After discussion with finance staff, the board approved allocating $50,000 from the county’s general fund to DHS for direct aid and $25,000 to the Community Foundation to expand food-security programs.
Commissioner Dave Armstrong said the measure was straightforward:
“We can’t wait on Washington. People need food now.”
Commissioner Gina Lucrezi added that Chaffee County must also prepare for next time.
“We can apply a band-aid today,” she said, “but we also need to build something more permanent for the future.”
Finance Director Dan Short confirmed the transfer could be managed despite a tight 2025 budget. “If it’s a priority, we do it,” he said.
Growing Hunger and Local Collaboration
Dittenber told commissioners that local food programs currently serve about 1,000 people each month, with demand continuing to climb — especially among older adults.
Partnerships across the county are expanding: the Guidestone Community Fridge, Caring & Sharing’s new Saturday pantry hours, and cooperation with the Chaffee Shuttle for meal deliveries are among the recent initiatives. The Area Agency on Aging is also distributing limited emergency funds for seniors aged 60 and older.
Haskell said DHS will gather feedback from SNAP households receiving the county-funded gift cards to identify unmet needs.
“These are our highest-risk residents,” she said. “We have a statutory responsibility to make sure they can feed their families.”
Long-Term Goal: Regional Food Hub
Several participants discussed establishing a regional food hub with cold-storage capacity so that Chaffee County can store and distribute food locally rather than relying on Denver or Colorado Springs.
Dittenber said CCCF is exploring grants and partnerships for that effort. “We want a system strong enough that next time a shutdown or emergency happens, we don’t end up scrambling,” she said.
Final Vote and Adjournment
The board’s motion, approved unanimously, states:
“To provide $50,000 of immediate funding to support SNAP recipients through the Department of Human Services, and $25,000 to the Chaffee County Community Foundation for food pantry and fundraising needs.”
If the federal government restores benefits later in November, the county will seek reimbursement or redirect any unused funds toward ongoing food-security efforts.
Chair Wood concluded, “Even if this ends up being extra food for the month, nobody in Chaffee County should go hungry.”
The meeting adjourned shortly before 12:30 p.m., with commissioners scheduled to reconvene later that day for a work session with the Citizens Advisory Committee.
Meeting Information
Chaffee County Board of Commissioners — Special Meeting on Food Access
Date: October 28, 2025 Location: 104 Crestone Ave., Salida
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