DENVER (KDVR) — When lawmakers in congress are unable to pass bills that fund the federal government, the U.S. government shuts down, and local agencies and communities feel the impacts.
Congress is required to pass 12 appropriations bills to fund the next fiscal year by the time it starts on Oct. 1 of each year. Zero of the 12 required bills have been passed as of Oct. 1, 2025.
The end of a shutdown comes when the appropriations bills are passed by the House and Senate and signed by the President, a process that can take weeks. In the meantime, federal employees in departments funded by those bills may be furloughed or required to work without pay, and government services may be closed.
Here’s what Coloradans should know in the case of a government shutdown.
What happens to federal workers in Colorado?
As of February, there were about 57,000 federal employees in Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
Nonessential federal workers in departments that depend on funding from appropriations may be furloughed during a government shutdown, which means no work and no pay. Furloughs typically increase the longer a shutdown lasts, and most employees will receive back pay after the shutdown ends.
Meanwhile, “essential” government employees who “protect life and property” will continue working without pay. Some examples include air traffic control, social security, border security, law enforcement agencies and power grid maintenance.
Will airport/TSA operations be impacted?
The Federal Aviation Administration’s Appropriation Lapse Plan states that 11,322 of its 44,829 employees are expected to be furloughed. Transportation Security Administration and air traffic control is considered essential, and operations will continue through the shutdown, with 13,294 air traffic controllers working without pay. Most other FAA services will also continue operations as usual.
Travelers may not see the impacts immediately, but delays may become common the longer the shutdown lasts. During the shutdown in 2018-2019, some workers who were not getting paid stopped showing up for shifts, causing longer security lines and delays.
Which services will continue?
Many services will continue but will have fewer employees, which may cause delays for things like passport renewals, Social Security card replacements and information requests, but essential services will continue.
Medicare, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage patients will still be able to receive health care and claims will still be processed.
Postal services will continue as usual, as the U.S. Post Office is funded by its own sales.
The Colorado Joint Budget Committee approved funding to cover October WIC benefits, so WIC benefits will not be disrupted, according to Jefferson County Public Health. SNAP benefits will continue in October as usual, however if the shutdown lasts, new applications and future benefits may be delayed, according to Rep. Brittany Pettersen’s website.
Social Security benefits, including disability income or retirement income, are part of mandatory spending and will not be disrupted with the shutdown. According to the Social Security Administration’s Appropriations lapse plan, 6,197 out of its 51,825 employees may be furloughed, but most services will continue.
Will National Parks be closed?
Government shutdowns can cause National Parks to close or to be short staffed. According to the National Park Service’s contingency plan, 9,926 out of about 15,000 employees are expected to be furloughed. The exceptions are for law enforcement and fire protection workers.
Visitors centers and buildings that can lock are expected to close throughout the shutdown. Thus, parks that are only accessible indoors will be closed. Rocky Mountain National Park’s roads and trails will still be accessible.
The Grand Lake, Colorado government Facebook page has responded to several comments on RMNP’s Facebook page, confirming that the park remains open, though visitor centers are closed. The town said its local visitors center will be able to help give people information.
Exactly how the shutdown will impact all operations remains unclear, however cameras at the park show some park rangers at the park and visitors going through entrances on the east side of the park (Estes Park).
Gov. Jared Polis requested that the federal government to keep the parks open and staffed, with the busy leaf-peeping season underway at RMNP, which is a major economic driver for the state’s rural communities.
“If Congress does not fund the federal government, I urge the Administration to prioritize the operations of the national parks so that they can continue to be enjoyed. Here in Colorado, we are evaluating all options, and are a willing partner if needed, to use limited State funds to keep our biggest park fully operational if necessary,” Polis said in a statement.
Each park’s websites and social media pages will not be updated, but the National Park Service page on X will continue to share information.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
