Since taking office in 2025, the current administration has taken a series of actions specifically aimed at weakening environmental protections on public lands, threatening to sell off of public lands, defunding land management agencies, and laying off thousands of federal land employees.
2,300 employees were fired at the Department of the Interior (New York Times, 2/18/25), and 3,400 Forest Service employees were fired at the Department of Agriculture (Reuters, 2/14/25). While a federal judge ordered reinstatement of thousands of fired federal employees early in March 2025, the administration placed many on paid administrative leave rather than returning them to active duty.
The three USFS visitor centers in the Roaring Fork Valley are closed indefinitely
The White River National Forest (WRNF) spans over 2.3 million acres and includes Aspen, Vail, Glenwood Springs, and the Maroon Bells. It is the most visited forest in the United States.
The WRNF staff has been reduced by 35%*, which means:
*Source: Scott Fitzwilliams, ex-WRNF Supervisor, March 2025
If the staffing and funding gap continues, the gaps in local services (listed above) will also continue. Plus, in the long term:
The White River National Forest underpins the region’s economy—supporting over 2,200 jobs and generating nearly $1.6 billion annually. With just $18 million in federal funding each year, it delivers an extraordinary return for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
