Colorado SNAP soft drink ban: What you should know about the new rules
Colorado has new SNAP restrictions on “soft drinks” starting on March 1, 2026. These new rules limit which drinks you can buy with your SNAP benefits.
These changes will apply to every SNAP food purchase made in Colorado, including at grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers' markets, and online retailers. Here’s a breakdown of what is changing and which types of drinks are now banned or limited.
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What are the newly restricted items in Colorado?#what-are-the-newly-restricted-items-in-colorado
SNAP benefits can no longer be used to buy “soft drinks” in Colorado beginning March 1, 2026. This can include:
- Soda, including regular and diet soda
- Sweetened iced teas
- Sweetened cold coffee drinks (if they don’t contain milk)
- Sports drinks with added natural or artificial sweeteners
- Energy drinks with added natural or artificial sweeteners
- Drinks that contain less than 50 percent fruit or vegetable juice
It will be up to retailers to figure out which specific products are now ineligible based on the new rules—for example, a carbonated drink with no added sweeteners could still be SNAP-eligible, even if it’s sold in the same aisle as sodas.
How do the new restrictions work?#how-do-the-new-restrictions-work
According to the new rules, “soft drinks” are defined as any nonalcoholic drinks that contain natural or artificial sweeteners.
Drinks made with milk or milk alternatives like soy, oat, almond, or rice milk, as well as any drinks that are more than 50 percent fruit or vegetable juice, are not considered “soft drinks” and can still be purchased with SNAP.
What this means for you:
- Some items that used to be SNAP-eligible may no longer ring up at checkout.
- You may see “item not allowed” messages when trying to purchase groceries online.
- You can still buy the item with another form of payment (cash, debit, credit, or TANF).
- You won’t get in trouble if you accidentally buy a drink that’s part of the ban because the store where you’re shopping allows it.
What is still SNAP-eligible?#what-is-still-snap-eligible
You are generally allowed to use your SNAP benefits to buy any food item with a “nutrition facts” label. This still includes:
- Fruits and vegetables, either fresh, frozen, or canned
- Proteins like fish, meat, eggs, and beans
- Dairy, like cheese, yogurt, and milk
- Grains, like rice, farro, and corn
- Pantry and cooking staples like cooking oils, spices, salt, and pepper
- Infant formula and baby food
What can’t you buy with SNAP?#what-cant-you-buy-with-snap
The new purchase restrictions are in addition to the items that you’re never allowed to buy with SNAP under federal rules, which include:
- Alcohol, tobacco, or vapes
- Vitamins, supplements, and medicine
- Hot food that is sold prepared and ready to eat, like rotisserie chicken or soup from a deli
- Pet food
- Cleaning supplies and household items
- Diapers and wipes
- Live animals (except certain seafood and animals slaughtered before pickup)
Quick tips#quick-tips
These new rules may take some getting used to. Here are a few quick tips to help make the transition easier and help you get the most out of your benefits.
- Find substitutes: While most sodas are now off-limits for purchase with SNAP, drinks that are mostly fruit and vegetable juice, sparkling water, and flavored milk should still be SNAP-eligible in Colorado.
- Avoid self-checkout confusion: If you’re unsure about some of your items, regular checkout may be simpler because you can talk to a cashier if you need help.
- Use online shopping to test item eligibility: Online shopping carts may label items as “EBT-eligible” or “EBT not accepted” before you pay.
- Use the Propel app to track your balance and transactions: Propel gives you real-time balance and transaction info so you can see whether a purchase went through. It will also send you benefit updates and alerts to keep you up to date on all new SNAP state restrictions.
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Frequently asked questions#frequently-asked-questions
Can I still buy juice with SNAP in Colorado?#can-i-still-buy-juice-with-snap-in-colorado
Yes—you can still buy juice with SNAP in Colorado as long as it’s not considered a “soft drink” according to the new restrictions. Drinks that are more than 50 percent fruit or vegetable juice by volume are not part of the ban and are still SNAP-eligible.
Can I buy frozen pizza with my SNAP benefits in Colorado?#can-i-buy-frozen-pizza-with-my-snap-benefits-in-colorado
Yes—frozen meals, like pizza, are still allowed, as is cold take-and-bake pizza that you finish cooking at home.
Can I buy hot food with my EBT card in Colorado?#can-i-buy-hot-food-with-my-ebt-card-in-colorado
No—you still can’t use your SNAP benefits to buy hot food in Colorado.
