Your easy, up-to-date Colorado EBT guide: learn how to apply fast, check your Quest Card balance, stay safe from skimmers, and get every benefit you deserve in 2025–2026.
What “Colorado EBT” Actually Means in 2025–2026
If you’re hearing “Colorado EBT” or “Quest Card” for the first time, relax — it’s just the debit-style card that Colorado uses to deliver food assistance and a few other benefits. Think of it as a pre-loaded card that works like any debit card, but only for approved items.
More than 600,000 Coloradans use the Colorado Quest Card every month. The money on it comes mostly from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps), plus a handful of other programs we’ll cover below.
What Programs Load onto Your Colorado Quest Card?
Your card can hold money from five different programs — most people only know about SNAP, but the others can add real help:
| Program | What It Pays For | Typical Amount |
| SNAP (Food Assistance) | Groceries (any store with Quest logo) | $250–$500+ per person/month |
| Colorado Works / TANF | Cash for rent, utilities, etc. | Varies by family size |
| Summer EBT (S-EBT) | $120 per school-age child for summer groceries | One-time each summer |
| Energy Assistance (LEAP) one-time payment | Helps with winter heating bills | $200–$1,000 (most get ~$500) |
| CO SNAP Produce Bonus / Double Up Food Bucks | Doubles your SNAP dollars on fruits & veggies at farmers markets | Up to $20–$50 extra per visit |
SNAP Benefit Deposit Schedule 2025–2026 (by Last Digit of SSN)
Benefits always load between the 1st and 10th of the month. Here’s the exact day based on the last digit of the head-of-household’s Social Security number:
| Last Digit of SSN | Benefits Available |
| 0 | 1st |
| 1 | 2nd |
| 2 | 3rd |
| 3 | 4th |
| 4 | 5th |
| 5 | 6th |
| 6 | 7th |
| 7 | 8th |
| 8 | 9th |
| 9 | 10th |
Are You Eligible? Current Income Limits (2025–2026)
Most families qualify if their gross monthly income is under these amounts (200% of federal poverty level):
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit |
| 1 | $2,510 |
| 2 | $3,408 |
| 3 | $4,304 |
| 4 | $5,200 |
| 5 | $6,096 |
| Each extra | +$896 |
Quick tip: Many deductions (rent, childcare, medical bills) can lower your countable income and make you eligible even if you’re slightly over.
How to Apply in Under 10 Minutes (3 Easy Ways)
- Fastest: Colorado PEAK website (colorado.gov/PEAK) — create an account, answer the questions, upload pay stubs or photos from your phone.
- Mobile: Download the free MyCOBenefits app (iPhone/Android) — same questions, but you can snap pictures of documents.
- In person or paper: Walk into any county human-services office or call 1-800-536-5298 for a paper application.
Most approvals happen in 7–30 days (7 if you have almost no income).
How to Check Your EBT Balance (All 5 Methods Ranked)
- ebtEDGE mobile app – fastest, shows last 30 transactions
- Call 1-888-328-2656 (free, press 1 for English)
- Log in at https://www.ebtedge.com
- Look at your last grocery receipt (balance prints at bottom)
- Some Walmart/7-Eleven registers will tell you for free
Using Your Quest Card Like a Pro
YES, you can buy:
- Any food or drink (except hot prepared foods)
- Seeds/plants to grow food
- Cold deli sandwiches, bakery items
NO, you cannot buy:
- Alcohol, cigarettes, pet food
- Vitamins/supplements
- Hot food to eat in the store
You can use your Colorado Quest Card in all 50 states and most territories — perfect for vacations or family visits.
Protecting Your Benefits from Skimmers & Scams (2025 Update)
Card skimming is the #1 complaint right now. Here’s exactly what to do:
- Freeze your card when you’re not shopping
→ In the ebtEDGE app or by calling 1-888-328-2656 → choose “Card Freeze”
→ Unfreeze in 10 seconds when you’re at the checkout - Change your PIN monthly (never use your birth year or 1234)
- Never give your PIN over text or phone — CDHS will NEVER ask for it
- If money is stolen, Colorado now replaces 100% of skimmed benefits (report within 30 days)
Immigrant & Mixed-Status Families: The Real Rules
Many legal immigrants qualify (green-card holders after 5 years, refugees, asylees, U.S.-citizen kids with non-citizen parents, etc.). Only applying for yourself as an undocumented adult can affect future green-card applications — but applying for your U.S.-citizen children is 100% safe and encouraged. Full details at cdhs.colorado.gov/snap.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Card? Here’s What to Do
Call 1-888-328-2656 → new card mailed in 3–7 days (often 48 hours). Your benefits stay safe — just transfer to the new card automatically.
Overpayments & Fair Hearings – Don’t Panic
Sometimes CDHS says you were overpaid. You have the right to a fair hearing (90% success rate if you show up with pay stubs). Free legal help: Colorado Legal Services 1-800-395-2465.
Bonus Perks Most People Miss
Your Quest Card unlocks more than groceries:
- Free or discounted admission to Denver Zoo, Museum of Nature & Science, Botanic Gardens
- Amazon Prime for $6.99/mo
- Free cell phone + data through Lifeline
- Discounted internet (Xfinity, Spectrum, CenturyLink)
Frequently Asked Questions (Colorado EBT)
How do I freeze my Colorado EBT card?
Open ebtEDGE app → Card Services → Freeze Card (or call 1-888-328-2656).
Can I use my Quest Card out of state?
Yes — anywhere that shows the Quest logo nationwide.
What foods can I buy with EBT in Colorado?
Any cold food or grocery item (no hot prepared foods or alcohol).
How do I check my EBT balance by phone in Colorado?
Call 1-888-328-2656 and follow the prompts.
When do Colorado EBT benefits load?
Between the 1st–10th based on the last digit of your SSN.
Can immigrants get SNAP in Colorado?
Many legal immigrants and all U.S.-citizen children qualify.
How Can i check more SNAP Benefits Updates?
To get the latest news, eligibility changes, payment schedules, and state-wise SNAP Benefit updates, you can regularly visit the SNAP updates section on Snapusda.com. This platform provides easy-to-understand guides, new policy alerts, and all important announcements in one place, so you never miss any update.
What is Updated Colorado SNAP Income Limits 2025-2026?
If you want to check the latest Colorado SNAP Income Limits for 2025–2026, you can easily see the full updated chart, household income criteria, and eligibility rules by visiting this detailed guide:
👉 Colorado SNAP Income Limits 2025
How To Use Colorado Food Stamp Eligibility Calculator 2025-2026?
You can use this tool to estimate whether you qualify for SNAP benefits under current guidelines:
👉 Colorado SNAP Eligibility Calculator 2025
You now know more about the Colorado Quest Card than 99% of recipients. Bookmark this page, share it with a friend who needs it, and eat a little easier tonight. or alcohol).
