Federal shutdown sidelines 34,000 workers in Colorado

Spread the love

As the federal government enters its fourth week of a shutdown, an estimated 34,000 Coloradans are currently on furlough from their federal jobs.

That’s according to a new report from SmartAsset, which ranked Colorado 12th nationally for its percentage of the state’s total population currently furloughed.

With an estimated 33,707 employees furloughed, that makes up 0.57% of the Centennial State’s population.

In total, Colorado has over 50,000 federal employees. As previously reported by The Center Square, the state has taken steps to assist those employees.

While not all of those employees are impacted by the shutdown, many are furloughed. That means they are temporarily not working or getting paid.

In contrast to Colorado, Connecticut ranked 50th nationally in the report with just 0.07% of its population furloughed. Maryland saw the biggest impact of any state, with 1.65% of its population furloughed.

Washington, D.C., with a population of 700,000, blew out all the states with nearly 20% of its population currently estimated furloughed.

Throughout the nation, an estimated 700,000 federal employees are currently on furlough. Many of those have already missed their first paycheck since the shutdown began.

For Republicans and Democrats, both in Colorado and nationally, the shutdown is largely a battle of different narratives with both sides pointing blame.

“Republicans hold 53 Senate seats. This means we need at least seven Democrats to join with @SenateGOP to reopen the government — but they refuse. The takeaway? This is a Democrat Shutdown,” said U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colorado.

Evans is referring to the 60-vote requirement to pass a budget and end the government shutdown.

On the other side of the aisle, Colorado Democrats are standing united in voting against both the full budget and the Republican-proposed continuing resolution bill, which would temporarily fund the government. Yet Democrats maintain it is a Republican shutdown.

“Republicans control the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Republicans control this shutdown,” said U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colorado.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Poll: Majority of Americans do not support National Guard to deter crime

Poll: Majority of Americans do not support National Guard to deter crime

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As President Donald Trump continues to deploy troops into American cities in an effort to reduce crime, more than half of Americans said they do...
‘Legal minefield:’ Biometrics reforms needed to keep IL tech biz growing

‘Legal minefield:’ Biometrics reforms needed to keep IL tech biz growing

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square For the past year, business leaders, attorneys and others in Illinois and beyond have watched to see how the courts and the...
Senior Fred Thomas delivers a game-changing play, sacking the Olney quarterback, stripping the ball, and making the recovery to give the Warriors possession in the second quarter.

Warriors Fall to Olney 28-27 in Heartbreaking Battle for Little Illini Title

Featured image caption: Senior Fred Thomas delivers a game-changing play, sacking the Olney quarterback, stripping the ball, and making the recovery to give the Warriors possession in the second quarter....
As military branches celebrate 250 years, Democrats vote against paying them

As military branches celebrate 250 years, Democrats vote against paying them

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In addition to U.S. Senate Democrats voting 11 times to keep the government shut down, they’ve also voted against funding U.S. military personnel, many of...
Chicago transit violent crime at 7 year high, funding concerns persist

Chicago transit violent crime at 7 year high, funding concerns persist

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With federal authorities now threatening to cut Chicago Transit Authority funding due to rising violence across...
WATCH: National Guard case before SCOTUS; Trump insists China soybean deal coming

WATCH: National Guard case before SCOTUS; Trump insists China soybean deal coming

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Harvey furloughs some employees; lead poisoning prevention continues

Illinois quick hits: Harvey furloughs some employees; lead poisoning prevention continues

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Harvey furloughs some employees The Chicago suburb of Harvey has furloughed 69 employees, including police and fire, after the city council...
Illinois quick hits: Filings made to SCOTUS in National Guard case; Chicago sued DHS

Illinois quick hits: Filings made to SCOTUS in National Guard case; Chicago sued DHS

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Filings made to SCOTUS in National Guard case Illinois asked the Supreme Court not to hear President Donald Trump's request to deploy the National...
Colorado Dems seek restoration of $600M in federal funds

Colorado Dems seek restoration of $600M in federal funds

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado Democrats joined together to sign a letter calling for the U.S. Department of Energy to restore over $600 million in funding for 38 Colorado-affiliated...
Senate Democrats block bill to end government shutdown for 11th time

Senate Democrats block bill to end government shutdown for 11th time

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square For the 11th time, U.S. Senate Democrats blocked legislation Monday evening to reopen and fund the federal government, indicating that Republicans’ strategy of waiting out...
WATCH: Eric Trump talks about his book at Reagan Library

WATCH: Eric Trump talks about his book at Reagan Library

By Dave MasonThe Center Square After almost a decade of politics, Eric Trump felt it was time to tell his family's story. President Donald Trump’s son accused Democrats and mainstream...
IL State rep: Grants are paying off in effort to combat auto thefts, carjackings

IL State rep: Grants are paying off in effort to combat auto thefts, carjackings

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bipartisan group of elected officials are applauding a new round of state grants to help police...
Illinois asks Supreme Court not to give Trump authority over National Guard

Illinois asks Supreme Court not to give Trump authority over National Guard

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The state of Illinois asked the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear President Donald Trump's request to deploy the National Guard to Chicago amid a...
9th Circuit rules Trump can activate National Guard to protect ICE in Portland

9th Circuit rules Trump can activate National Guard to protect ICE in Portland

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit on Monday overturned a temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge...
WATCH: Pritzker not confident Trump can solve soybean trade deal with China

WATCH: Pritzker not confident Trump can solve soybean trade deal with China

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With shipments of soybeans last month to China dropping to zero for the first time since November...