Legislation to Protect Food Assistance for Colorado Kids & Families Clears Committee
SB25B-003 modifies Proposition MM to include funding for SNAP
DENVER, CO – Legislation to give voters the opportunity to fund food assistance for Colorado students and families passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today.
SB25B-003, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Senator Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, would modify Proposition MM, which the Legislature referred to the November 2025 ballot, to give Colorado voters the opportunity to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in addition to the Healthy School Meals for All program.
“No child in Colorado should go hungry because they can’t afford a nutritious meal – at school or at home,” said Michaelson Jenet. “By adjusting Proposition MM to include SNAP, Colorado voters will have the opportunity this November to help keep this life-saving program afloat, while fully funding Healthy School Meals for All Colorado students.”
“SB25B-003 builds on the will of the voters to ensure that no child in our state goes hungry, while also supporting our local economies,” said Wallace. “The Healthy School Meals for All program improves educational outcomes, supports farmers and ranchers, and reduces strain on families' budgets. With the additions in this bill, we can also help 300,000 Colorado households afford groceries each month. Ultimately, this bill empowers Colorado voters to continue our state’s now proud tradition of ensuring none of Colorado’s children go hungry."
In June, Governor Polis signed HB25-1274 which referred two ballot measures, Propositions LL and MM, to Colorado voters to determine whether or not to continue funding the Healthy School Meals for All program, which offers free, nutritious school meals to all public school students.
In July, Congressional Republicans made unprecedented cuts to SNAP with the passage of H.R.1, slashing millions from the program that helps families put food on the table. Now, more than 300,000 low-income Colorado families – including children, older adults, and people with disabilities – are at risk of going hungry. By adjusting Proposition MM to include SNAP, voters would have the opportunity this November to fully fund the successful Healthy School Meals for All program and help fund SNAP.
If Proposition MM passes, it could raise up to $95 million per year by limiting state income tax deductions for households earning over $300,000. These new revenues would first ensure that the Healthy School Meals program is fully funded, and then any remaining funds could support SNAP.
SB25B-003 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.