Jefferson County adopts resolutions opposing proposed federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP
June 17, 2025 | Jefferson County, Colorado
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The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners on June 17 adopted resolutions opposing proposed federal changes to Medicaid and to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, saying those changes could reduce coverage for thousands of county residents and destabilize local health and nutrition safety nets.
The board read Resolution CC25-160 on Medicaid into the record and then read a companion resolution on SNAP before placing both items on the consent agenda. Commissioner Zenzinger said the proposals "could be harmful to more than 79,000 Jefferson County residents who rely on this program every month." The consent agenda, which included both resolutions, passed unanimously.
Why it matters: county officials said cuts to Medicaid and SNAP would not only reduce direct support to residents but would also ripple through local health providers, food banks and the broader county economy. The board's resolutions ask the county's congressional delegation to oppose reductions in federal funding and to protect eligibility and administrative resources.
The Medicaid resolution (CC25-160) states that 79,241 Jefferson County residents, including 32,262 children, rely on Medicaid monthly and warns that proposed federal changes could slash funding by as much as $715 billion over 10 years. It cites analyses estimating that every $1,000,000 in federal Medicaid funding lost could reduce Colorado economic activity by roughly $2,250,000 and lower household earnings by about $825,000.
Food policy and mental health advocates who addressed the board said the proposed federal changes would intensify demand at local food banks and strain mental health and safety-net providers. Hallie Nelson, director of the Jefferson County Food Policy Council, told the board that in 2023 about 10.9% of county residents — roughly 63,400 people — experienced food insecurity and that SNAP cuts would reduce the purchasing power available to families.
"Programs like SNAP and Medicaid are essential to keeping people in Jefferson County fed and healthy," Nelson said. Christie Boland, community engagement manager for Jefferson Center for Mental Health, told the board that Medicaid accounts for more than half of Jefferson Center's revenue and that recent disenrollments and proposed cuts already have resulted in significant shortfalls for safety-net providers.
The resolutions ask Jefferson County's congressional delegation to reject federal proposals that would reduce funding, restrict eligibility, or impose new administrative burdens, and to instead strengthen and expand access to these programs. The board approved the consent agenda containing these resolutions by voice vote: Commissioner Kerr, aye; Commissioner Zenzinger, aye; Commissioner Dahlkemper, yes.
The county's resolutions do not change local program rules or funding; they are policy statements intended to guide advocacy by the board and county staff. County officials said they will continue to monitor federal proposals and coordinate with state and local partners on potential operational impacts.
The board read Resolution CC25-160 on Medicaid into the record and then read a companion resolution on SNAP before placing both items on the consent agenda. Commissioner Zenzinger said the proposals "could be harmful to more than 79,000 Jefferson County residents who rely on this program every month." The consent agenda, which included both resolutions, passed unanimously.
Why it matters: county officials said cuts to Medicaid and SNAP would not only reduce direct support to residents but would also ripple through local health providers, food banks and the broader county economy. The board's resolutions ask the county's congressional delegation to oppose reductions in federal funding and to protect eligibility and administrative resources.
The Medicaid resolution (CC25-160) states that 79,241 Jefferson County residents, including 32,262 children, rely on Medicaid monthly and warns that proposed federal changes could slash funding by as much as $715 billion over 10 years. It cites analyses estimating that every $1,000,000 in federal Medicaid funding lost could reduce Colorado economic activity by roughly $2,250,000 and lower household earnings by about $825,000.
Food policy and mental health advocates who addressed the board said the proposed federal changes would intensify demand at local food banks and strain mental health and safety-net providers. Hallie Nelson, director of the Jefferson County Food Policy Council, told the board that in 2023 about 10.9% of county residents — roughly 63,400 people — experienced food insecurity and that SNAP cuts would reduce the purchasing power available to families.
"Programs like SNAP and Medicaid are essential to keeping people in Jefferson County fed and healthy," Nelson said. Christie Boland, community engagement manager for Jefferson Center for Mental Health, told the board that Medicaid accounts for more than half of Jefferson Center's revenue and that recent disenrollments and proposed cuts already have resulted in significant shortfalls for safety-net providers.
The resolutions ask Jefferson County's congressional delegation to reject federal proposals that would reduce funding, restrict eligibility, or impose new administrative burdens, and to instead strengthen and expand access to these programs. The board approved the consent agenda containing these resolutions by voice vote: Commissioner Kerr, aye; Commissioner Zenzinger, aye; Commissioner Dahlkemper, yes.
The county's resolutions do not change local program rules or funding; they are policy statements intended to guide advocacy by the board and county staff. County officials said they will continue to monitor federal proposals and coordinate with state and local partners on potential operational impacts.
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