Colorado has an exceptionally low enrollment rate for people eligible for food stamps,reports Colorado Public Radio. And now, because of the lack of response, the state’s food stamp administration is receiving close scrutiny from the federal government. Colorado has even drawn sanctions from Washington for its low enrollment rate.
Kathy Underhill, CEO of Hunger Free Colorado, says the success of the program varies widely across the state. Some counties are spending much more on food stamp programs than others, with equal results.
Gini Pingenot, legislative director for Colorado Counties, Inc. argues the fines are counterproductive. She says they leave counties with less money to administer food stamps. The federal sanctions will allow various counties to recoup some of the cost of the fines from various counties in Colorado.