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ColoradoHB26-13502026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Appropriations to Legacy School Food Programs

Sponsored By: Jeff Bridges (Democratic), Judy Amabile (Democratic), Kyle Brown (Democratic), Rick Taggart (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Education & School Finance (Pre & K-12)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

School meal fund covers federal matching costs

Beginning July 1, 2026, Colorado can use Healthy School Meals for All money for the required federal school lunch match. For 2026–27, the law provides $2.472644 million for that match, replacing the same amount from the state public school fund. This is part of $3.001741 million in Healthy School Meals for All funding for four programs. The old funding reduction requires the 2026–27 annual budget act to become law. It does not apply if that act omits the program's funding or its cash-fund appropriation is below the reduction. Budget-dependent changes take effect on the later of the two laws' effective dates. All Healthy School Meals for All spending needs yearly approval; allocations must be fair and follow federal law. The Education Department can spend up to 2% of each year's approved funding on administration.

School meal money supports summer grocery benefits

Beginning July 1, 2025, Colorado can use school meal money for SNAP outreach and summer grocery benefit activities. An award must leave the Healthy School Meals for All reserve at 35% or more; spending must add to, not replace, state spending. Beginning July 1, 2026, the fund can also pay to administer Summer EBT, with yearly budget approval. For 2026–27, $229,097 replaces the same amount of General Fund money, shifting 0.9 full-time-equivalent staff positions to the replacement funding. The General Fund reduction requires the annual budget act to become law and takes effect on the later law's effective date. It does not apply if the budget omits the program's funding. These changes do not set new household benefit amounts or eligibility rules.

Free school breakfast funding loses its minimum

Start Smart supports free breakfasts for children who otherwise pay reduced prices and helps cover eligible facility-school breakfast costs. The law removes required yearly funding of $700,000 to $1.5 million; lawmakers now choose whether to fund it. For 2026–27, Healthy School Meals for All provides $65,000, while the separate Start Smart fund appropriation falls by $296,484. That reduction requires the annual budget act to become law and takes effect on the later law's effective date. It does not apply if the budget omits Start Smart funding or its cash-fund appropriation is below $296,484. The State Treasurer must move all unspent, uncommitted Start Smart fund money to the General Fund on June 30 and August 31, 2026. The separate fund ends September 1, 2026—not the breakfast program—and the transfer amount is unspecified. The Education Department must set allocation and payment procedures that follow federal law.

Free school lunch funding becomes optional

The lunch protection program supports no-charge lunches for children in state-subsidized early education and K–12 students eligible for reduced prices. It also helps cover eligible facility-school lunch costs. The law makes program funding optional rather than required. For 2026–27, Healthy School Meals for All provides $235,000, while the state education fund appropriation falls by $841,460. That reduction requires the annual budget act to become law and takes effect on the later law's effective date. It does not apply if the budget omits program funding or its cash-fund appropriation is below $841,460.

Local school food aid loses payment floor

When Healthy School Meals for All funding falls short, lawmakers can approve extra local food reimbursements and technical assistance grants. Reimbursements cover participating providers' lunches from the prior school year; grants help with local food purchasing and education. The law removes the minimum reimbursement of five cents per lunch or $1,000, whichever was greater. Reimbursements exclude the value of value-added processed products above 25% of total Colorado-grown, raised, or processed purchases. The Education Department can reduce payments proportionally when needed. Lawmakers can fund a nonprofit to award technical assistance grants when the matching program is underfunded; reporting is required. No fixed amount is guaranteed, and these programs do not pay households directly.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Jeff Bridges

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Rick Taggart

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 99 • No: 13

Senate vote • 4/16/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 33 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1350 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 49 • No: 11

House vote • 4/6/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1350 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/27/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/22/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/22/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/22/2026House

  5. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/16/2026Senate

  6. Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    4/15/2026Senate

  7. Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/14/2026Senate

  8. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/13/2026Senate

  9. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/11/2026House

  10. House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    4/9/2026House

  11. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    4/8/2026House

  12. House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    4/6/2026House

  13. Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/2/2026House

Bill Text

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