More than 1,000 protesters gathered outside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) building in Boulder on Monday, voicing outrage over mass layoffs of scientists under the Trump administration. Two NOAA employees estimated that at least 10% of the agency’s Boulder staff was dismissed last week as part of broader federal workforce reductions.
The demonstration, organized by former U.S. Congressman David Skaggs, exceeded expectations, with Skaggs noting he had anticipated around 100 attendees. Police at the scene estimated the crowd at over 1,000.
“The size of this protest reflects the deep concern Americans feel as the Trump administration dismantles critical scientific institutions,” Skaggs said. “We must stand up for what we know is right.”
Last week, the Trump administration fired over 800 NOAA employees nationwide, according to congressional sources. NOAA has not responded to requests for comment on the layoffs or the specific number of employees affected in Boulder.
Scientists at the rally warned that NOAA staffing cuts could undermine essential services, including space weather forecasts critical for satellite and power grid operations, as well as life-saving wildfire, tornado, and hurricane warnings.
Susan McLean, a retired NOAA manager, expressed concern that the abrupt dismissals would make it harder to attract top scientific talent to federal agencies.
“We used to draw skilled professionals despite lower pay because they believed in our mission,” McLean said. “These cuts make it clear that mission is no longer valued.”
McLean compared the layoffs to previous federal workforce reductions, noting that during the Clinton administration, staffing cuts were planned in coordination with agency leadership over several years to minimize disruptions.
“Those cuts were done with a scalpel,” McLean said. “This is being done with a wrecking ball—indiscriminate and without thought.”
Brenna Raeder, one of the demonstrators holding a sign reading “National Weather Service Saves Lives,” echoed concerns that NOAA’s downsizing would have dire consequences.
“It’s completely insane to defund these vital services, including wildfire forecasts that save lives right here in Colorado,” Raeder said.
The layoffs follow policy recommendations from Project 2025, a conservative initiative advocating for NOAA’s downsizing. The group has argued that NOAA “has become one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry” and should be broken up.
Similar protests erupted outside another NOAA facility in Silver Spring, Maryland, where 1,000 demonstrators demanded the reinstatement of fired scientists.
“NOAA is critical to the safety of the seafood we eat, to forecasting deadly hurricanes, and to a million other aspects of our daily lives,” said protester Mike Tidwell. “We need to keep this agency strong.”
