Nearly a thousand people gather in Boulder, Colorado, to protest sweeping job cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), highlighting concerns over federal workforce reductions. The demonstration, organized by former Colorado Congressman David Skaggs, brings together current and former NOAA employees, environmental advocates, and community leaders. Skaggs, who played a key role in securing funding for the NOAA research center in Boulder, emphasizes that the large turnout reflects public opposition to the layoffs and broader concerns about government support for scientific research.
The exact number of employees affected at NOAA’s Boulder office remains unclear, but reports indicate that dozens of scientists, researchers, and administrative staff have been laid off in recent weeks. Among them is Paul Hemmick, who describes how the dismissals unfolded, including his own termination. Many employees express shock at the abrupt nature of the cuts, citing limited communication from leadership about the future of ongoing projects.
NOAA’s layoffs come amid widespread reductions across multiple federal agencies, including the National Park Service, Veterans Affairs, and the Internal Revenue Service. The job cuts are part of broader federal cost-cutting measures, with the government citing budget constraints and shifting priorities as reasons for the reductions. Critics argue that cutting NOAA’s workforce threatens critical environmental research, weather forecasting, and climate monitoring programs that play a crucial role in national disaster preparedness.
Protesters in Boulder voice frustration over what they see as the federal government undermining scientific progress and weakening climate-related initiatives. Some raise concerns that the layoffs will slow research on climate change, ocean health, and severe weather prediction—areas where NOAA has historically led global efforts. Others worry that job cuts in agencies like the National Park Service and Veterans Affairs indicate a larger trend of diminishing public services and environmental protections.
Employees who remain at NOAA report growing uncertainty about their job security and the agency’s long-term direction. Scientists working on climate change and atmospheric research fear reduced funding could impact critical studies, particularly those focused on extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and pollution tracking. The layoffs also raise concerns about national security, as NOAA plays a key role in monitoring satellite data and tracking hurricanes, tornadoes, and other potentially catastrophic weather events.
The Boulder protest follows similar demonstrations across the country as federal employees and their supporters push back against job cuts. Union leaders and advocacy groups call on Congress to intervene, urging lawmakers to restore funding to agencies affected by the layoffs. As the debate continues, NOAA employees and their supporters vow to keep fighting for job stability and continued investment in scientific research.
