As of last Saturday, beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program were cut off due to the government shutdown, now in its second month.

The cuts affect 3,000 Teller County residents, 10% of the population, and represent $450,000 a month in nutritional benefits.  

In addition to the loss of SNAP benefits, 236 children and 50 newborns in Teller County are losing benefits from the federally funded WIC – (women infants and children) program according to Michelle Wolff, director of Teller County Public Health & Environment.

In an all-out crisis response, Michelle Boley, director of the Office of Emergency Management, and Sheriff Jason Mikesell set a time limit of 72 hours to develop strategies for filling gaps in needs.   

“Here’s the thing: In Teller County, we’ve had multiple emergencies, COVID, fires,” Mikesell said. “Years ago, we put together a plan that will turn into an operational planning period for us. That’s what we do.”

Anticipating the shutdown, the sheriff and his team, in addition to first responders throughout Teller County, held a foodclothing drive in October that netted $12,000.

The two officials lead a team that includes the commissioners, directors of four food banks, representatives of faith-based groups and the two school districts.  Kellie Case, Annie Durham and Barbara Manning, mayors of Woodland Park, Cripple Creek and Victor, respectively, represented their cities.  Aaron Vassalotti, Woodland Park’s city manager, was also at the meeting.

Scott Porter represented the Cripple Creek Casino Association and Triple Crown Casinos.  Katie Blake spoke for SSR Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Co.

“It’s going to take all of us to work through the problem solving but the need is there,” Boley said. “We’d like to have an action plan within 72 hours.”

The plan builds on operations in place, chiefly by the food banks, to identify and designate responsibility for collection and distribution sites.  “We want to see what delivery looks like and how we want to structure the deliveries,” Boley said.

Of particular concern for the county are veterans, the elderly and clients of the Department of Human Services, said Commissioner Dan Williams.  

The timing of the shutdown is on top of a 25% increase in needs in the county along with a 25% reduction in grant funding, Williams said, adding that donations to Care & Share were down even before the shutdown.

Williams, who is a board member of Court Appointed Special Advocate, noted the presence of Kim Alvarado, CASA’s program manager for Teller County. 

“In times like these, child abuse crimes go up,” Williams said. “So, we can help ourselves before that all happens.”

The situation exacerbated by the government shutdown is an emergency, said Kim Mauthe, director of DHS, who voiced concern about current and future clients.

“We are still taking applications, checking the websites and talking to clients,” Mauthe said.

Expecting an abundance of donations, Mikesell highlighted the need for storage as well as a central source of information.

“I will be able to help with technology and communication,” said Kyle Crawford, the county’s director of information technology.

Deputy Tommy Allen volunteered to disseminate information and have QR codes available for donations.

“Ideas are nothing without people attached to those ideas to bring those to fruition,” said Commissioner Erik Stone.

Throughout the meeting the participants stayed away from attaching blame for the shutdown.

“We don’t care who is responsible, our goal is to make sure we take care of our people,” said Commissioner Bob Campbell.  

Participants included representatives of Ute Pass Kiwanis, Andersen Enterprises, Park State Bank & Trust (via message), Mountain View United Methodist Church, Charis Bible College, and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen.

Officials chat before meeting to plan a strategy for addressing the need for food for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. (Pat Hill)