Montezuma County warns SNAP interruption could strain food providers; 4,912 residents receive benefits

Congressman Hurd joined Montezuma County commissioners and county staff by phone on Oct. 31 to hear local effects of the federal government shutdown that is expected to interrupt SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefit distribution.

Kelly Unrein, Montezuma County social services director, told the board that the county has 4,912 individuals enrolled in SNAP and that the county typically issues about $900,000 in SNAP benefits monthly. "We are concerned that we won't have what our community needs," she said, and reported that local pantries and meal providers had already begun seeing increased walk‑ins and requests for assistance.

County staff and community food providers convene weekly to coordinate capacity and resources, and the county has distributed an updated food‑resource list and frequently asked questions about available services. Unrein said faith‑based partners and small church pantries are already seeing expanded demand; a small church pantry that normally serves about a dozen families provided food for roughly 50 families this week.

Commissioners and Congressman Hurd discussed broader federal impacts tied to the shutdown. Hurd urged two‑way communication with his office and said he had voted in the House for a funding measure that would continue SNAP benefits; he asked county leaders to inform his staff about local conditions and suggested coordinated outreach to Colorado’s U.S. senators. County leaders and Hurd noted related federal program slowdowns: Farm Service Agency (FSA) deadlines affecting producer insurance and grant work, FEMA response timelines that can take significantly longer during shutdowns, and a temporary pause on new flood‑insurance policy issuance.

County staff offered a demographic snapshot of the SNAP caseload: about 50% of recipients are children, 15% elderly and 10% disabled. Unrein said the elderly population may be disproportionately impacted because many live in rural areas without easy pantry access. County agencies prepared for at least a 25% uptick in demand at local food providers in the coming weeks and emphasized monetary donations, volunteer support and coordinated delivery to rural residents as immediate mitigation steps.

Ending: The county asked residents and institutions wanting to help to coordinate through local food providers and offered to send letters to Colorado’s U.S. senators urging action to reopen federal funding and resume benefits.