Our 2025 state legislative wrap-up
June 10, 2025
Within the context of a $1.2 billion state budget deficit and ongoing threats of federal funding cuts, the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger has continued to champion bold policy change through intersectional food justice advocacy. Our 2025 state legislative wrap-up presents an overview of shared policy priorities that center the collaborative strategy and action of the Blueprint’s State Policy Committee and community partners, highlighting legislative successes and planned advocacy for 2026.
Join us in uplifting our collective impact and preparing to continue the work of advancing a policy and advocacy landscape that’s fully accessible and working for the people of Colorado.
SESSION RECAP
This legislative session, the Blueprint successfully fulfilled a longstanding policy priority through enactment of Senate Bill 25-169, Restaurant Meals Program. Our leadership on this bill marks the first step in making Colorado one of only ten states to administer the Restaurant Meals Program and in further improving accessibility for Coloradans experiencing food insecurity. Related efforts to address disrupted access to food and necessary social supports, as well as to create new and sustained pathways to increased food access and reduced waste, were also successful.
In partnership with Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and Colorado Center on Law & Policy, the Blueprint co-led Senate Bill 25-008, Adjust Necessary Document Program, which amends Colorado’s Necessary Documents Program to better assist vulnerable populations in obtaining documents without charge that are necessary to meet basic life needs. The law is important for promoting equity within our systems and providing opportunities for all Coloradans to experience health and well-being. Our team also provided critical expertise that helped shape House Bill 25-1166, Efforts to Reduce Food Waste, which among other requirements, creates pathways for food establishments to donate or resell safe food and allows grocery stores to freeze hot foods for purchase by SNAP recipients.
Moreover, the Blueprint co-led House Bill 25-1220, Regulation of Medical Nutrition Therapy, with the Colorado Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This bill would have established a licensure framework for dietitians and nutritionists to increase access to essential care, particularly for underserved communities in need of crucial nutrition services. While the bill garnered broad bipartisan support, it was vetoed by the Governor and, unfortunately, did not become law.
Following the session’s end, however, Governor Polis signed House Bill 25-1274, Healthy School Meals For All Program, into law, referring two program-related measures for votes on the November 2025 ballot and creating a path for financial sustainability of the program to continue providing children with free school meals. This work continues to be led by Hunger Free Colorado.
Our team supported several other bills this session that are now state laws and are intended to positively impact Colorado communities and our food systems. We invite you to learn more about the state legislative process — and read the complete outline of the Blueprint’s overarching policy priorities and the 2025 state bills that we engaged with.
NEXT STEPS
As we begin the process of developing our 2026 legislative agenda, the Blueprint team remains committed to ensuring that our advocacy is rooted in the present needs and experiences of Colorado communities. We look forward to your continued partnership, as we renew our focus on aligning food systems advocacy with progressive tax reform to build a collective movement and achieve sustainable success in policies that support the health and well-being of all Coloradans.
We will maintain our leadership of and support for effective implementation of Colorado’s Restaurant Meals Program; we also aim to fortify our nutrition programs, ensuring that they remain funded, accessible, and permissive. Moreover, we will continue our work to build capacity amongst coalitions and support policies that assist agricultural workers, advocates, and community leaders in their persistent efforts to feed and protect those in need amidst ongoing threats to the safety and well-being of our communities.
We invite you to join us on this journey! The Blueprint’s State Policy Committee will reconvene in September 2025. Sign up to receive our newsletter and our policy and advocacy alerts for ongoing updates.
In closing, we would like to thank our many partners – from community members to organizations across Colorado – for your leadership, subject matter expertise, and work during the 2025 legislative session! Also, a huge thanks to Adeline Hodge, Amanda Gall, and Kris Grant of Meridian Public Affairs, who were our partners in making 2025 another successful year at the Capitol!
If you would like to learn more about our efforts at the Colorado State Legislature and our work to create, execute, and manage a state anti-hunger policy platform that advances food justice and food sovereignty, please contact our Policy Director, Brace Gibson.
In solidarity,
The Blueprint Team