Teller County commissioners released a statement last week praising the efforts of hundreds of people who responded to the crisis caused by the 43-day government shutdown.

At issue was the loss of food stamps for 3,000 residents who are beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. While the shutdown ended, SNAP benefits were not immediately restored.

The statement expressed gratitude to the hundreds, many of whom endured back-straining work from loading multiple boxes of food. The commissioners, Bob Campbell, Erik Stone and Dan Williams, led the effort in response to the loss and the potential burden placed on five food banks.

The statement recognizes first responders, county employees, elected officials, schools, faith-based organizations, Office of Emergency Management, the sheriff and his law enforcement officers.  

“We took proactive steps to prevent the food crisis from becoming an emergency,” the commissioners write.

The statement highlights the collective efforts throughout the month of November, when the commissioners created a centralized SNAP information and donation page, provided daily updates, identified donation drop-off sites, and used GIS mapping to help residents find resources quickly.

“These tools helped keep information clear and consistent throughout the shutdown and supported the coordinated effort across the county,” the commissioners write.

The statement notes donations of $150,000 from El Pomar and Teller County nonprofit organizations. In addition, the county helped provide fresh beef, turkeys and additional support including freezers.

“We want to thank the hundreds of Teller County residents who donated food items continuously and who participated in our two food drives to ensure that nobody in our county, including our children and our elderly, went hungry,” the commissioners write.

Last week, the commissioners, county administrator Ross Herzog, Sheriff Jason Mikesell and Lt. Renee Bunting distributed 60 turkeys behind the sheriff’s office and at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center.  The center’s director, Michelle Rozell, and Jeff Moser, the city’s special projects director, helped coordinate the effort.

 According to Deputy Tommy Allen, several residents joined in by delivering turkeys to those who were unable to make it to the heritage center.

The commissioners released the letter at the meeting Nov. 20 and in another potential emergency implemented Stage 1 Fire Burn restrictions.

The restrictions prohibit burning not contained in an outdoor fireplace or approved permanent fire ring, using explosive or fireworks, model rockets or burning irrigation ditches unless surrounded by irrigated farmland.