Federal Impacts to Services
The federal government shutdown has ended. Of the programs Boulder County helps deliver, Congress has funded many through the end of January 2026, and others through the end of September 2026. Congress will need to vote again before January to extend some programs. Also, new federal laws and orders are impacting programs and services.
Here is the best available information we have at this time:
Benefits and Services
- Congress has voted to end the federal government shutdown, and the State of Colorado has loaded full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits onto EBT cards for all recipients for November. SNAP recipients should have seen communications from the State of Colorado about this as well.
- SNAP has been fully funded through the end of September 2026.
- For easy access to your SNAP EBT balance and transaction history, or to select or change a PIN, visit the EBT Edge site at ebtEDGE.com. You can also visit the Colorado Quest Card site at coloradoquestcard.com or call 1-888-328-2656 or 1-800-659-2656 (TTY).
- SNAP participants are able to use their EBT cards and SNAP balances as normal. This means that retailers will be able to receive reimbursements as usual.
- Check your Colorado PEAK account for other updates about future benefits.
- New applicants should still apply for benefits. Existing SNAP recipients should continue to renew.
- Boulder County continued to process all new applications and renewals during the shutdown so that everyone who qualifies can receive benefits as funds become available
- New SNAP work requirements took effect on Nov. 1, 2025. See the Boulder County Human Services SNAP page (www.boco.org/FoodAssistance) for more information.
- TANF (cash assistance) benefits have been funded through the end of January 2026. Participants can keep using their benefits. No changes needed from program participants.
- HUD programs, including Housing Choice Vouchers, are funded through the end of January 2026. No changes needed from program participants.
- Boulder County WIC benefits have been funded through the end of September 2026. Participants can keep using their eWIC card to purchase WIC-approved foods as usual. No changes are needed from program participants. The State of Colorado is covering the cost of this federal program during November as it did in October.
- People should visit Boulder County Findhelp to find free or low-cost services, including health coverage, food assistance, job training, housing and more.
Open Enrollment for Connect for Health Colorado Health Coverage Began Nov. 1
View the open enrollment flyer.
Schedule an appointment online with the Boulder County Enrollment Center for free assistance with enrollment (in English, Spanish, or other languages), email HealthCoverage@bouldercounty.gov, or leave a voicemail at 303-441-4530.
Visit boco.org/HealthCoverage for more information on Open Enrollment.
Additional Information
- Programs like Social Security, Medicare, Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program), and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) were not affected by the shutdown. However, community members receiving payments may face delays if government funding isn’t extended at the end of January 2026.
- Boulder County Housing Authority and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program through Boulder County Public Health remain open.
- County services that rely on federal funding remain open. These include Human Services, Workforce Boulder County, Head Start, Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Community Action Programs (CAP), and Veteran Services.
- For an update on upcoming Medicare dates, read the latest Area Agency on Aging newsletter.
If You Want to Help
Consider donating unrestricted funds, time, or non-perishable food items to local food banks or nonprofits. Every bit helps as local nonprofits serving our communities are under increasing pressure. You can explore and support local organizations at the Colorado Gives web page at ColoradoGives.org.