Food insecurity rose in Colorado this year, new poll suggests

The share of Coloradans who said they ate less than they thought they should because they couldn’t afford more food increased this year, though the small number of people responding makes it difficult to pinpoint the magnitude of the change.

The Colorado Health Access Survey reported 17.8% of Colorado adults — more than one in six — who responded in April and May said they couldn’t afford all of the food they needed. At about the same time in 2025, 10.5% of respondents said the same thing.

This year’s survey included only 600 people, meaning that the pollsters couldn’t make as precise an estimate as last year, when about 10,000 people answered the question about food security. The true share of people struggling to pay for food could be anywhere from 10.7% to 24.9%.

On average, grocery store food prices increased about 2.2% from August 2025 to the same time in 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture . The average conceals variation: egg prices were down, while the cost of beef and fresh fruits and vegetables rose faster than the broader category of food.

Gas and diesel prices are also up, contributing to price increases for other consumer goods and straining household budgets.

At the same time, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program added new work requirements late last year. Adults younger than 65 who aren’t living with a child younger than 14 now have to show they worked, volunteered or attended school for 20 hours a week, unless they have a disability exemption. (Previously, adults over 55 didn’t have to meet the requirement.)

In addition, adults subject to the work requirement can receive SNAP benefits for only three months in three years, possibly forcing those who are in college or working for low wages to rely on other sources, such as food banks.

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