DENVER - Today, a federal judge ordered the Trump Administration to restore AmeriCorps grant funding in 24 states, including Colorado, and the District of Columbia following the lawsuit led by Colorado. Governor Polis and Lt. Governor Primavera celebrated this action, restoring important services across our state that protect our communities from wildfires, help drive student achievement, provide mental health care to youth, and more.
“What a relief for fire prevention, and just in time for fire season! Today, thanks to this decision, Coloradans and communities that rely on the important services AmeriCorps members provide all across the state will keep benefiting. AmeriCorps members play a key role in helping our communities in such ways as preventing devastating wildfires and supporting students throughout their academic journeys,” said Governor Jared Polis.
“This is a major victory for Colorado communities and the AmeriCorps members who dedicate their time and talents to strengthening our state through the power of national service,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “The court affirmed what we’ve said from the beginning: you cannot shut down vital national service programs without transparency, accountability, and due process. We remain committed to utilizing national service and volunteerism to address critical needs.”
AmeriCorps is a pillar of community strength in Colorado. In the last program year alone, members contributed over one million hours of service in education, environmental stewardship, disaster response, public health, and more. A recent study estimated a return of up to $34.26 for every federal dollar invested in AmeriCorps - a testament to its value not just in service, but in economic impact.
Colorado helped to lead 24 other states in challenging the Trump Administration’s actions and today, the U.S. District Court’s ruling grants a preliminary injunction that halts the Trump Administration’s April 2025 illegal attempt to terminate AmeriCorps grants, remove members from service, and dismantle programs without due process or Congressional action.
As a result of today’s ruling, the federal AmeriCorps agency must:
- Reinstate terminated grants in the plaintiff states, including Colorado;
- Return impacted AmeriCorps and VISTA members to service where possible;
- Restore the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program to its previous status;
- Abide by federal notice-and-comment requirements before making significant future changes.
This decision sends a clear message: national service is not disposable. This ruling restores stability for thousands of AmeriCorps members and reopens the door for critical work in communities across Colorado. National service is critical to addressing community needs across the state as well as providing workforce development opportunities in some of Colorado’s most vital sectors.
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