The first 100 days of the Trump administration have been marked by a flurry of executive orders, aggressive immigration policies, a rapid shrinking of the federal government under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and what some legal scholars warn is a shift towards authoritarianism.
Boulder Reporting Lab has been closely covering how these national changes are playing out locally — and we’re doubling down to keep our community as informed as possible in the months ahead. Here are some of the local impacts we’ve reported on so far:
Federal firings at NOAA and beyond: Dozens of federal employees in Boulder — including about 80 at NOAA – were fired under DOGE cuts targeting probationary workers, pushing the boundaries of executive authority. Many were briefly reinstated after the firings were challenged in court, then fired again after higher courts lifted restrictions on probationary firings. A proposed $1.7 billion cut to NOAA, part of the Trump administration’s 2026 budget plan, could shutter major divisions of the agency and eliminate hundreds of jobs in Boulder alone. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has halted all new and ongoing grant funding, with significant job impacts and losses expected at CU Boulder for people whose work depends on NSF support.
Protests across the city: The firings and broader Trump administration actions have prompted near-weekly protests in Boulder. We’ve been there — including at a protest that formed outside the NOAA building amid unfounded rumors that DOGE workers were entering the building, and at a May Day protest and die-in.
Sanctuary city funding at risk: Boulder could lose as much as $55 million in federal funding — about 10% of the city’s budget — if the Trump administration follows through on threats to penalize sanctuary cities. In Denver, the administration has already revoked $24 million in federal grants that were funding emergency shelters for migrants, and is suing the State of Colorado and the City of Denver, accusing leaders of blocking immigration enforcement efforts. Boulder does not operate a similar shelter system, and for now, its federal funding remains intact.
Health funding under legal threat: Boulder County may lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in Covid-era funding for immunization and disease prevention, depending on the outcome of ongoing legal changes.
AmeriCorps cuts hit libraries: The Boulder Public Library District has likely lost two digital navigators – employees who help residents use technology and access online services — due to large-scale cuts to AmeriCorps funding.
Deportation fears grow: As ICE intensifies its tactics, fears of deportation have grown in Boulder’s immigrant communities, including at CU. We published a guide on what to do if ICE shows up at your home or stops you in public. Meanwhile, BVSD passed a resolution affirming protections for undocumented students in Boulder schools.
Tariffs could hurt local businesses: New tariffs — among the steepest in generations — are expected to hurt Boulder businesses, including outdoor brands and other companies that rely on imported materials and overseas manufacturing.