State leaders are in crisis mode as the weekend approaches. The ongoing government shutdown means SNAP benefits will be put on hold . That will result in 600,000 Coloradans -- half of them children -- being unable to buy food.

Gov. Jared Polis asked for $10 million to help food banks meet the need and the Joint Budget Committee approved it Thursday but, everyone agrees it's nowhere near enough. The state is losing $120 million in food stamps every month.

"It is effectively us trying to plow a field with a fork," Senior Budget Analyst Tom Dermod told the committee. "This $10 million -- even with the buying power of the food banks -- is only going to maybe get to about $50 million for November and December. It's riddled with holes."

Republican state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer agreed

See Full Page