Over 335 individuals across over 230 households in Pitkin County will lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits by November 1st if the federal government does not approve temporary funding to keep the program afloat. SNAP is a federal program that is administered on a state level, and Pitkin County typically transfers benefits to EBT cards between the 1st and the 10th of the month.
With the federal government inoperable, the Pitkin County Board of Commissioners has approved funding for grocery gift cards and additional support for Harvest for Hunger, the local food pantry. Gift card amounts will be based on the households typical monthly SNAP benefit level, and distribution will begin on November 5th at Schultz Health and Human Services in Aspen.
If the shutdown continues beyond the middle of next month, the County will assess and supply additional grocery cards. Food banks across our region are accepting donations, including but not limited to LIFT-UP, Food Bank of the Rockies, Aspen Community Foundation, and the Eagle Valley Community Foundation. Updates and more information can be found at pitkincounty.com.
Further resources here.
This story originally aired on 10/31/25.
