In response to recent mass layoffs at the U.S. Forest Service USFS, Colorado’s congressional representatives are voicing strong concerns about the potential negative impacts on public safety and local economies.
Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, along with Representatives Joe Neguse, Brittany Petersen, and Jason Crow, issued a joint statement urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reverse the decision.
The layoffs affect key positions in wildfire mitigation, land management, and conservation, further exacerbating an already understaffed agency.
The lawmakers highlighted that the USFS is critical to managing vast swaths of Colorado’s land and preventing catastrophic wildfires, which have become more frequent and severe in recent years. They emphasized that these job cuts would stretch the USFS to its limits, especially as the state faces rising wildfire risks and a growing population.
Rep. Neguse, who had previously advocated for federal wildfire support after the Alexander Mountain Fire, also called for exemptions to the hiring freeze for wildfire personnel, noting the urgency of maintaining adequate staffing as fire season extends throughout the year.
The lawmakers’ concerns are particularly focused on how these cuts will impact rural communities, public safety, and the overall resilience of Colorado’s natural resources.