Colorado SUN Bucks provides a one-time $120 payment per eligible school-age child to buy groceries during the summer. The program is administered by the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) — the same agency that manages Colorado SNAP (food stamps). Most children are automatically enrolled based on school meal eligibility data from the 2025–2026 academic year. Benefits began issuing in late May 2026.
Colorado stands out in the Summer EBT landscape for two reasons: its self-service SUN Bucks enrollment checker lets families instantly confirm whether their child is already enrolled, and it uses the PEAK portal (peak.my.colorado.gov) — Colorado’s all-in-one benefits management system — for applications and account management.
Colorado SUN Bucks 2026 — Key Facts
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Benefit amount | $120 per eligible child (one-time payment) |
| Who administers it | Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) |
| Enrollment checker | sebt.cbms.cdhs.state.co.us |
| Apply online | peak.my.colorado.gov |
| Phone support | 1-800-536-5298 |
| EBT card support | 1-888-328-2656 (or 1-800-659-2656 TTY) |
| Benefits start | Late May 2026 (rolling through August) |
| Card delivery | Existing 2025 card reloaded; new card mailed for newly eligible families |
| Replacement card | Ships within 7–10 business days of request |
| Benefits expire | 122 days from issue date |
| Immigration status | Not required; public charge rule does NOT apply |
Who Qualifies for Colorado SUN Bucks
Colorado auto-enrolls most eligible children based on their school meal records from the 2025–2026 school year — no application needed for most families.
Automatically Enrolled — No Application Needed
Your child is auto-enrolled if they are school age (approximately 5–18) and meet any of the following during the 2025–2026 school year:
- Household receives Colorado SNAP — CDHS directly certifies SNAP households for Summer EBT
- Household receives TANF or FDPIR
- Child was individually approved for free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) at their school
- Child is identified as homeless, migrant, runaway, or in foster care
If you receive Colorado SNAP, your school-age children should be auto-enrolled. Check your Colorado SNAP EBT balance to confirm your case is current.
Check First — Use Colorado’s Enrollment Checker
Before assuming your child needs to apply, use Colorado’s dedicated SUN Bucks Enrollment Checker at sebt.cbms.cdhs.state.co.us. This tool — unique to Colorado — tells you in seconds whether your child is already enrolled or whether you need to submit an application. It’s the fastest first step for all Colorado families.
Must Apply — If Not Auto-Enrolled
If the enrollment checker shows your child is not auto-enrolled, you can apply through:
- Online: peak.my.colorado.gov (Colorado PEAK portal)
- Phone: 1-800-536-5298
Your child qualifies to apply if they attended an NSLP or SBP school during 2025–2026 and your household income is at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Colorado SUN Bucks Income Limits 2026
For families applying (not auto-enrolled), household income must be at or below 185% FPL:
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit | Annual Gross Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,248 | $26,973 |
| 2 | $3,041 | $36,482 |
| 3 | $3,834 | $46,006 |
| 4 | $4,628 | $55,530 |
| 5 | $5,421 | $65,052 |
| 6 | $6,214 | $74,574 |
| 7 | $7,008 | $84,098 |
| 8 | $7,801 | $93,608 |
| Each additional | +$794/month | +$9,524/year |
Note for Colorado SNAP households: Colorado uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) at 200% FPL with no asset limit for SNAP — meaning some households earning up to $5,360/month (family of four) qualify for Colorado SNAP but not necessarily for SUN Bucks through the application pathway. SNAP enrollment, however, auto-qualifies children for SUN Bucks regardless of the SUN Bucks income threshold. See Colorado SNAP income limits for the SNAP income picture.
How to Apply for Colorado SUN Bucks
Step 1 — Check Enrollment Status First
Go to sebt.cbms.cdhs.state.co.us and use the SUN Bucks Enrollment Checker. You’ll need your child’s basic information. The tool will tell you immediately whether your child is enrolled or needs to apply.
Step 2 — Apply Through Colorado PEAK (If Needed)
If the checker confirms your child is not auto-enrolled:
- Go to peak.my.colorado.gov
- Log in or create a PEAK account (free, takes a few minutes)
- Navigate to the Summer EBT / SUN Bucks application
- Complete the application with your child’s school information and household income
- Submit the application
Applications can also be completed by calling 1-800-536-5298.
Step 3 — Update Your Address
Benefits and cards are mailed to the address on file with your child’s school and your CDHS account. Update your mailing address with both your child’s school and your PEAK account before benefits are issued.
Important: Colorado address updates for EBT cannot be made by calling the EBT customer service number on the back of your card. Address changes must go through your local county human services office or PEAK.
Step 4 — Receive Your Card
If your child received SUN Bucks in 2025: Keep your existing Summer EBT card — 2026 benefits will be loaded onto that same card. Do not wait for a new card.
If your child is newly eligible: A new Summer EBT card will be mailed to your address on file. It arrives separately from your regular SNAP EBT card.
Once you receive your card, activate it by calling the number on the back and setting a 4-digit PIN. For full activation steps, see how to activate your Summer EBT card.
When Do Colorado SUN Bucks Benefits Arrive?
Colorado will begin sending out Summer EBT benefits in late May 2026. Distribution continues on a rolling basis through August. Auto-enrolled children receive benefits first; application-approved children receive benefits after approval, typically within a few weeks of the application being processed.
Benefits expire 122 days from the date they are loaded — not from the date the card arrives. Use your Colorado SUN Bucks before they expire; unused funds are forfeited.
Immigration Status — Public Charge Does Not Apply
Using Summer EBT does not affect your or your child’s immigration status. The “public charge” rule does not apply to this program. CDHS will never ask for your immigration status. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to receive these benefits.
This is confirmed directly on the CDHS Summer EBT FAQ page — particularly important for Colorado’s large immigrant population in agricultural and mountain communities.
Where to Use Colorado SUN Bucks
Colorado SUN Bucks work at any authorized SNAP retailer statewide:
- Major grocery chains — King Soopers (Kroger banner), Safeway, Walmart, Target, Natural Grocers, Sprouts, Whole Foods
- Farmers’ markets that accept SNAP/EBT — Colorado has strong Double Up Food Bucks participation at farmers’ markets statewide
- Convenience stores with SNAP authorization
- Online grocery ordering at Walmart and Amazon Fresh (where SNAP EBT is accepted)
Double Up Food Bucks: Colorado participates in Double Up Food Bucks — which matches your SNAP EBT spending dollar-for-dollar on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets and select grocery stores. While Double Up Food Bucks applies specifically to SNAP benefits (not SUN Bucks), using both programs together during the summer stretches your family’s food budget significantly.
Colorado SUN Bucks follow the same food rules as SNAP — eligible for most SNAP-approved groceries; not for hot prepared food, alcohol, tobacco, or non-food items. See the SNAP-approved grocery list for what qualifies.
Replacing a Lost Colorado SUN Bucks Card
If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged:
- Call 1-800-536-5298 to report and request a replacement
- Replacement cards arrive in 7–10 business days
- Note: Colorado limits EBT card replacements — after four replacements in 12 months, additional replacements may require a county office visit
Additional Resources for Colorado Families
Colorado SNAP: Colorado uses 200% FPL BBCE with no asset limit — more families qualify than most states. Apply through Colorado PEAK at peak.my.colorado.gov or download the MyCOBenefits app (iOS and Android). See SNAP income limits for Colorado.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check WIC eligibility in Colorado.
Summer Food Service Program (SUN Meals): Free hot meals for all children 18 and under at community sites. No EBT card, no income check. Find sites by dialing 211 or texting “FOOD” to 304-304.
LIHEAP: Colorado SNAP recipients automatically meet LIHEAP income requirements for energy bill assistance — important for families in mountain communities with high heating costs. See LIHEAP application in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Colorado SUN Bucks?
School-age children (approximately 5–18) whose household received Colorado SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR, or who were individually approved for free or reduced-price school meals during 2025–2026, are automatically enrolled. Families not in those programs may apply at peak.my.colorado.gov if household income is at or below 185% FPL and the child attended an NSLP or SBP school.
How do I know if my child is already enrolled?
Use Colorado’s SUN Bucks Enrollment Checker at sebt.cbms.cdhs.state.co.us. This free tool confirms enrollment status instantly — no account needed.
If my child got SUN Bucks in 2025, do I get a new card?
No — keep your existing Summer EBT card. Colorado loads 2026 SUN Bucks benefits onto the same card used in 2025. Do not wait for a new card in the mail.
Does receiving SUN Bucks affect immigration status?
No. The public charge rule does not apply to Summer EBT. CDHS never asks for immigration status, and you do not need to be a U.S. citizen to receive benefits.
How much is Colorado SUN Bucks?
$120 per eligible school-age child, as a one-time payment. Benefits expire 122 days from the date they are loaded.
Can I apply for Colorado SNAP and SUN Bucks at the same time?
Yes — you can apply for Colorado SNAP and SUN Bucks through the same PEAK portal. If you apply for and receive SNAP, your children will also be auto-enrolled in SUN Bucks.
For the complete Summer EBT program overview and all participating states, see the SUN Bucks program guide. To check your overall SNAP eligibility in Colorado, use the food assistance eligibility tool.