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MorningMagazine_2025-04-30 Gabrielle Mendoza
AmeriCorps cuts lead to another Trump administration lawsuit
Colorado and nearly two dozen states are suing the Trump administration over the dismantling of AmeriCorps.
The federal lawsuit alleges that the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, illegally gutted the 30 year-old federal agency for volunteer service, which was created by Congress.
It goes on to say that the Trump administration took back its promise of hundreds of millions of dollars in grants already approved by congress, through the AmeriCorp State and National Program.
Governor Jared Polis publicly stood up for AmeriCorps, citing the help its members do in Colorado to support wildlife mitigation, students in schools, and the expansion of mental health services.
Just last week, Polis said in a briefing that the state had 500 AmeriCorps workers lined up for fire suppression and mitigation work. Now, Trump’s cuts will cut nearly 300 AmeriCorps members from roughly 200 sites across Colorado.
AmeriCorps employs nearly 500 full-time federal workers in addition to the roughly 200,000 corps members it sends across the country as parts of its service programs. At least 85% of the agency’s national staff were put on administrative leave this month.
Due to these AmeriCorps cuts, the Boulder Public Library has lost funding for its two “digital navigators,” who help people navigate new technologies. About 80 people visit these digital navigators each month.
Human remains found a year after Stone Canyon fire
Forensic experts have found human remains inside a home where the Stone Canyon fire is believed to have started.
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said yesterday it believes 74-year-old Kevin James Tracy was the person whose remains were found in a single family home at 2602 Eagle Ridge Rd. in unincorporated Boulder County. Officials believe the fire sparked either inside or near Tracy’s home, then quickly spread to the surrounding wildland. That fire – the Stone Canyon Fire – eventually engulfed 1,500 acres north of Lyons and destroyed five homes.
The Stone Canyon fire was one of three along the Front Range last summer that forced thousands of people from their homes in the foothills.
Colorado urges to apply for LEAP before deadline
State leaders are urging Colorado residents to apply for its winter heating assistance program by midnight tonight.
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, or LEAP, has already supported over 83,000 households. It’s designed to offset the cost of home heating for eligible low-income households. The program directly pays utility companies, and those payments will typically show up as credit on customers’ bills.
To qualify as a single-resident household, one must make no more than $3,382 a month. For a household of four, all residents must collectively make only up to $5,926 a month.
Applicants must have at least one U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident living in the household.
LEAP program manager Theresa Kullen told Denver7 that the program is made to help “vulnerable” Coloradans like seniors, individuals with disabilities, or those on fixed incomes. LEAP wants to prevent people from having to choose between buying groceries or getting their medications, and heating their home during the winter.
LEAP benefits range from $200 to $1,000.
To apply before tonight’s midnight deadline, visit the Colorado PEAK website and scroll to the LEAP section to find the application. To apply over the phone, call the HEAT HELP line at 1-866-432-8435.
