Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.


Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Food Stamps Unused - 2007 Food Stamp Challenge

This year, 249,593 Coloradans will get food stamps. Last year they spent $323 million using food stamps, according to the USDA.

The department acknowledges that applying for food stamps takes time. Applicants must fill out a 21-page form, which takes at least eight hours, according to USDA research.

Once accepted into the program, they receive the benefit within seven to 30 days, but in some cases it may amount to only $10 a month.

Liz McDonough, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Human Services, said people are reluctant to apply for three reasons:

They don't think they are eligible so don't bother to apply.

They worry they don't have the right kind of identification.

Senior citizens are reluctant to go through all the paperwork.

2007 Food Stamp Challenge

When: Today - National Hunger Awareness Day

The challenge: Surviving a week on $25 in food ($3.57 a day), the average food budget of a stamp recipient.

Participants: Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver Human Services manager Roxane White, KWGN Channel 2 anchor Ernie Bjorkman and others.

How it works: Participants eat on only $25 for a week. They keep a food diary and contribute to a blog.

Web site: colochallenge.blogspot.com

Recent high-profile participants: Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski; and four members of Congress

Hickenlooper's first day: The mayor learned he was participating at the last minute Sunday and didn't have time to shop for food Monday. When the Rocky caught up with him late Monday afternoon, he said he missed breakfast and had little to eat at noon.

Quote: "I had lunch today with a couple Level III executives at the Ship's Tavern and there's nothing on the menu under $3. All I could eat was the free bread, although the Brown Palace did bring a little shot glass of peanut butter."

The mayor's dinner Monday night: Ramen soup

Roxane White's first day: "I bought a jar of peanut butter, a bag of potatoes, seven bananas on sale and pre-packaged soup mixes for lunch, because they were on sale for under $1 each."


Rocky Mountain News

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