The Democratic officials contend the administration is legally required to keep benefits going as long as it has funding.

Food banks in Colorado are preparing to respond to a sudden increase in need this weekend as federal food benefits pause due to the government shutdown. About 600,000 Coloradans receive money for groceries through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,

Colorado Congressional District 3 Rep. Jeff Hurd has co-sponsored a House bill to keep SNAP funded during the government shutdown.