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Coloradans using food assistance to buy produce can receive bonus matching funds

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Coloradans using food assistance to buy produce can receive bonus matching funds


Coloradans who receive food assistance now have another financial incentive to buy produce, but only if they shop at certain local businesses.

The state is one of three piloting new incentives, and will receive $7.9 million by the end of 2027 to offer matching funds for money spent on fruits and vegetables purchased with money from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The other states that will receive funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to try out the Produce Bonus program are Washington and Louisiana.

Recipients can receive up to $20 in matching funds per transaction, for a maximum of $60 per month. The match is available for money spent on fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, provided they don’t contain added fat, salt or sugar. At farmers markets, recipients can also get matching funds for funds spent on dried beans, fruits and vegetables, provided they don’t have those three added ingredients.

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Coloradans who receive food assistance already have some incentives to buy produce, such as Double Up Food Bucks, which are paper coupons they receive when buying fruits and vegetables.

Produce Bonus funds automatically appear on people’s earned benefit transfer cards, so they don’t have to remember paper coupons, said Abby McClelland, director of the food and energy assistance division at the Colorado Department of Human Services.

People can spend their Produce Bonus funds on any foods that SNAP covers, unlike the Double Up funds, which are only good for fruits and vegetables, she said.

Because the cards don’t differentiate funding for produce from other food, states aren’t able to limit how recipients can spend the bonus money, a USDA spokeswoman said.

So far, the only participating Denver location is a single farmers market, and the other locations are concentrated in the upper portion of the Interstate 25 corridor, between Loveland and Wellington. See cdhs.colorado.gov/snap-produce-bonus for a full list.

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The department is working to get more retailers involved, though some may have to upgrade their software or card readers to process the rebate funds, McClelland said. They are focusing on locally owned businesses in areas with low access to food and low average incomes, with no immediate plans to bring in chain grocery stores, she said.

“We’re trying to be strategic,” she said.

While the USDA ultimately will decide if the program succeeded, McClelland said she hopes it can increase food assistance recipients’ produce consumption and overall purchasing power, while giving a boost to businesses in underserved areas.

“I think this is a step forward,” she said.

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Colorado

Colorado wildlife officers searching for deer roped into a concerning situation

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Colorado wildlife officers searching for deer roped into a concerning situation


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -After receiving dozens of reports, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is looking for an injured deer that has been tied up by red material.

Residents have spotted the deer in the Gleneagle neighborhood in North El Paso County.

According to CPW, a wildlife officer found it in a residential garage with a deep wound on its backside. They approached the deer before it ran away, and over a neighbor’s fence. CPW says they only intervene if there is a chance the animal will suffocate, strangle, struggle to eat, or see due to the entanglement.

As the holiday season is coming around, wildlife officers are also asking you to consider wildlife safety when decorating for the holidays, advising people not to put lights on trees or bushes.

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In a statement from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, they say in part, “Antlered animals like deer and elk naturally shed their antlers each winter, providing a passive way to shed an entanglement. Sedating, immobilizing and handling wild animals can cause stress and injury to the animal, so if there isn’t an immediate health concern, the animal is better off carrying the item instead of removing it.

Updated photos from the Gleneagle community on Monday showed red material around the deer’s front leg. Combined with the visible backside injury, this has increased CPW’s interest in locating this deer…Our officers will continue their efforts to ensure the safest possible response. “

If you spot the deer, you can report it to Colorado Parks and Wildlife at (719) 227-5200.



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Deion Sanders ‘lost for words’ after ‘foolishness’ that went on in another Colorado loss

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Deion Sanders ‘lost for words’ after ‘foolishness’ that went on in another Colorado loss


Deion Sanders was at a loss for words until he wasn’t.

Speaking to reporters after a one-sided, 36-20 loss to the Houston Cougars on the road on Saturday, the head coach described his reaction, simply saying he didn’t have much to say.

“It wasn’t good. I’m at a loss for words,” Sanders said, acknowledging the unexpected nature of the loss and the performance of his team. “No one could have told me that it was gonna turn out like this.”

Deion Sanders looks on against the Houston Cougars during the first half at TDECU Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas. Getty Images

Sanders has a lot to say. He just won’t. Not at the expense of his team.

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“Oh, Lord, thank you. I’m thanking God for not allowing me to say what I want to say,” Sanders said. “It wasn’t good. It wasn’t good at all. I take full responsibility of the foolishness that went on out there that we tried to name football. We tried to call it football. It wasn’t that. We’ve got to do better in every phase of the game. We’ve got to do better preparing our kids. We’ve got to do better, period.”

In the loss, Colorado trailed just 16-14 at halftime before being outscored 20-6 by the Cougars, who rolled to the finish.


Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes speaks with Ryan Staub #16 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Deion Sanders speaks with Colorado quarterback Ryan Staub during the first half against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas. Getty Images

Sanders later added, “We’re not struggling. We’re getting our butts kicked. You don’t have to be polite with me. You don’t have to sugarcoat it.”

Colorado is just 1-2 on the year, with their only win over a cupcake opponent in Division I FCS foe Delaware, who the Buffaloes routed last week, 31-7.

In their season opener, Colorado dropped a close out to Georgia Tech at home, losing 27-20.

The Buffaloes will look to even their record at 2-2 with a win over Wyoming next week in their return home to Colorado.

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How to Watch Washburn vs Colorado School of Mines: Live Stream CFB

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How to Watch Washburn vs Colorado School of Mines: Live Stream CFB