Government shutdown continues into third week

Local offices of federal agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management have been hit with staff furloughs during the government shutdown. (Photo by Evan Bjornstad)

The U.S. government is experiencing its first shutdown in nearly seven years. The current closure is heading into its third week, making it the fifth longest in U.S. history. The shutdown began as a result of budget disputes between Republicans and Democrats in the legislative branch, with both parties not agreeing on government spending allocations. 

With no resolution in sight, local agencies within the Gunnison Valley sit vacant and most government employees within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS) have been sent home without pay. While local organizations such as Western Colorado University, Gunnison Valley Health and the City of Gunnison are yet to take direct hits from the federal stalemate, many are discussing the potential consequences should the shutdown drag on. 

The ripples from the government shutdown are affecting both the country at large and communities at the local level. Since Oct. 1, 2025, up to 40% of the federal workforce is on unpaid leave. This has left around 750,000 government employees nationwide out of work until further notice. 

On the local level, Gunnison City Manager Amanda Wilson said the shutdown has not had a discernible impact on city operations. However, should the federal closure persist, Wilson said Gunnison could begin to feel the ripple effects from delayed federal grant dollars and reimbursements — or an economic downturn from out-of-work federal employees.

“We do have some federal dollars and state dollars that have federal ties to them that could potentially be delayed, but that’s pretty speculative at this point,” Wilson said. “The bigger issue I worry about is the overall effect on our economy. People are being laid off or furloughed. They’re potentially spending less in Gunnison and eating out less in our restaurants or not coming to visit.”

Western Colorado University could face similar challenges if the shutdown continues. Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment Leslie Taylor said the University is monitoring potential delays in federal financial aid, specifically for the dependents of veterans receiving benefits under Chapter 35, the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program.

Additionally, Taylor said that federal grant dollars could also be delayed, though that would be unlikely to arise until later in the academic year. In past shutdowns, the university has temporarily covered grant-related costs, such as labor, tuition and travel with department funds, and received reimbursements once federal operations resumed.

“Anything that supports students, whether it’s veteran benefits or financial aid, are the things we’re watching,” Taylor said. “It was one of our first ones that we’re concerned about, because students need that money, not only to pay tuition, but also to pay rent and buy food. But so far, we haven’t seen anything [from the shutdown].”

Certain areas of the government deemed “essential” have not shut down, including law enforcement, border protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and in-hospital medical workers. President Trump is also pushing to ensure that military personnel continue to receive paychecks and that most VA benefits will continue uninterrupted.

Some government-funded establishments and programs will continue to stay open during the shutdown, but may have limited staffing, reduced facilities, maintenance or availability. Medicare and social security checks will continue to be sent out, though services such as card issuance and verification may not be available. National parks and recreation areas will remain open with minimal staffing and little to no facility maintenance. 

Certain workers such as air traffic controllers are expected to continue to work without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has reported that many workers in this department have subsequently called in sick, with staffing dropping to 50% at times, according to BBC. The shutdown has thus resulted in thousands of flight delays or cancellations. 

Other agencies and programs deemed “non-essential,” such as the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Forest Service, have fully closed or halted during the shutdown. All employees affiliated with such organizations have been furloughed, meaning they will not receive paychecks until the shutdown has ended. 

The Times reached out to several local branches of federally-funded agencies including the BLM, Forest Service and the Curecanti National Recreation Area to get a read on how the shutdown is impacting the Gunnison community at a local level. Callers are met with busy signals or recorded voicemail messages stating that employees are “on furlough due to a lapse in federal funding” and to note that there is “no access to email or voicemail during the lapse in funding.” Everyone at these agencies that the Times was able to reach declined to comment on the shutdown. 

 Programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food assistance programs are currently still operational, but may face an uncertain future with potential delays or disruptions with a prolonged government shutdown, should it continue into November or beyond. 

President Trump has vastly reduced the size of the government since beginning his second presidential term and has warned that the shutdown may lead to the elimination of more government positions — including permanent layoffs. Currently both parties remain in a stalemate, both holding firm to their stances. 

In multiple attempts, a stopgap bill to re-open the government has fallen short of the needed 60 votes. Senate Republicans have unsuccessfully sought to win more support from Democrats, but Democrats are holding firm, saying they won’t vote to reopen funding the government unless several terms are met. 

These include permanently extending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits that are due to expire at the end of the year, reversing cuts to Medicaid funding and restoring funding for public broadcasting platforms such as National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). 

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or amccrindle@orourkemediagroup.com.) 

(Gia Wright can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or jwright@orourkemediagroup.com.)