A plan to prohibit Coloradans from using food-assistance benefits to buy soda and sugary fruit juices was stalled Friday by a state board after opponents argued it was an overreach that could harm the dignity and autonomy of low-income families. The rule would ban the use of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, called SNAP, to buy soda as well as juices with added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Opponents, including people who receive food stamps, argued the restriction would limit people’s autonomy to make their own food choices and cause more food insecurity. State officials said the rule change would improve health, and could save public money spent by Medicaid to treat people with diabetes and health disease in future years. Colorado is one of 18 states with federal approval to prohibit using food-assistance benefits to buy sugary drinks.

Source: Daily Sun March 06, 2026 23:50 UTC