Protests Erupt Over NOAA Layoffs in Boulder, Colorado

More than 1,000 demonstrators gathered outside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) building in Boulder, Colorado, on Monday, protesting sweeping layoffs imposed by the Trump administration. According to two current employees, the cuts affected more than 10% of the scientific workforce at the facility.

Rally Led by Former U.S. Congressman David Skaggs

The rally was spearheaded by former U.S. Congressman David Skaggs, a Democrat from Colorado, after whom the NOAA building in Boulder is named. Skaggs, initially expecting only around 100 participants, was surprised by the large turnout, with police estimating attendance at over 1,000.

Impact of Layoffs on NOAA Workforce

Last week, the administration reportedly terminated over 800 NOAA employees nationwide, according to Congressional sources. At the Boulder rally, two current employees estimated that about 10% of the local NOAA workforce was impacted. Scientists at the protest warned that the layoffs could jeopardize crucial services, including space weather forecasts, wildfire, tornado, and hurricane warnings.

Concerns Over Public Safety and Scientific Talent

Susan McLean, a retired NOAA manager, expressed concerns that abrupt dismissals would make it harder to attract top scientific talent to federal positions. She contrasted the current layoffs with federal workforce reductions under President Bill Clinton, which she said were conducted carefully over several years with input from agency managers.

Protests Continue in Democratic Stronghold

Boulder, a Democratic stronghold, has long been a center for scientific research, and many residents see NOAA’s work as vital. Protesters emphasized the importance of defending scientific research and public safety as a bipartisan effort.

Calls for Reinstatement and Concerns for the Future

Meanwhile, in Silver Spring, Maryland—home to another major NOAA facility—another 1,000 protesters gathered, calling for the reinstatement of dismissed scientists. As protests continue, concerns mount over the future of NOAA and its role in public safety and environmental research.

Alignment with Conservative Policy Proposals

The layoffs align with the goals outlined in Project 2025, a set of conservative policy proposals influencing the Trump administration’s restructuring efforts. The initiative has called for NOAA’s downsizing, arguing that it plays a central role in what it describes as the “climate change alarm industry” and poses a threat to economic growth.

As the protests intensify, the future of NOAA and its critical services remains uncertain. The voices of demonstrators echo the need to prioritize public safety and scientific research in the face of sweeping layoffs and restructuring efforts.

(Reuters)