Thanksgiving’s warm glow of time spent with family and friends is just now fading, and we have officially entered the holiday season – a time that can be joyful, reflective, as well as isolating or stressful when resources are strained. We want to recognize both the strain that so many of our vulnerable residents have been under, in recent weeks, and also the incredible support this community consistently shows in helping families and individuals meet their basic needs when resources are constrained, as occurred during the federal government shutdown when food benefits were delayed.
In La Plata County, an average of 2,800 households comprising 5,000 individuals receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits each month – representing nearly 10% of our population. When benefits were delayed during the shutdown that lasted well into November, these families and individuals were placed in an impossible situation that compounded the vulnerability that SNAP is designed to alleviate.
In Colorado, approximately 50% of SNAP benefit recipients are children, 15% have a disability, and 10% are senior citizens. The benefits delay resulted from a wholly political standoff in Washington, D.C., unleashed very real and very human consequences across the country and in our community. It was a callously cruel action that compromised food security – and more – for our most vulnerable neighbors. We are thankful that SNAP benefits were ultimately restored – with funding supposedly assured through the end of September 2026 – but the cost of the delay was significant, causing people to make tradeoffs between paying rent and other bills while awaiting critical food resources.
In La Plata County, our community stepped up in an incredibly moving and impactful way, rallying to find and distribute food support. Food banks in the county saw up to a 48% increase in demand, and many extended their hours and increased staffing to help ensure that people who needed food could access it. The Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado opened a Community Emergency Relief Fund to collect money for SNAP recipients whose benefits were delayed. The fund opened on Halloween with a goal of raising $50,000, and by Nov. 5, that goal was achieved. What an incredible testament to the care and concern our community has for one another.
The Good Food Collective, which fosters collaborations throughout the region in service of food security, assembled a comprehensive guide to connect those in need with food resources for meals, pantry items and other forms of assistance. Find that list here: https://www.goodfoodcollective.org/food-assistance. If you would like to donate to the emergency relief fund or find out more, you can do so here: https://tinyurl.com/bde42k7w.
The range and breadth of food resources available every day – crisis or not – is deeply heartening and we are so thankful for the generosity our community showed during the SNAP benefits delay and every day. We ask that anyone able continues to contribute to ensure food security for those who rely on support to feed themselves and their families. We anticipate additional impacts on vulnerable populations due to federal actions as we head into 2026, underscoring the importance of community safety nets.
Finally, we want to extend our gratitude to La Plata County’s voters who overwhelmingly supported Ballot Question 1A, which raised the countywide sales tax 1% effective Jan. 1. By trusting us with this additional revenue, the county is now able to ensure that we provide the services – and service levels – that you rely on from us, including constructing, maintaining and improving county roads and bridges, supporting law enforcement and preparing for and responding to wildfires, floods and other natural disasters, and providing services and support programs for veterans, seniors and at-risk children and families.
These are the essential, behind-the-scenes services that our staff members deliver every day, and we know how much they matter to keeping you and your families safe, healthy and thriving. We thank you so much for acknowledging and investing in the county and your community. We commit to continuing to earn your trust every day by making spending decisions with accountability, integrity and respect.
The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners consists of Marsha Porter-Norton, chair; Matt Salka, vice chair; and Elizabeth Philbrick, commissioner. Reach them at 382-6219.
