The federal government remains shuttered as of Monday morning, with no resolution in sight and over 4,000 federal employees laid off nationwide. Unlike previous shutdowns, this one has taken a more aggressive turn: the White House has opted for permanent layoffs—known as Reduction in Force (RIF)—rather than temporary furloughs, signaling a strategic shift in how executive power is wielded during funding lapses.

According to internal agency reports, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued between 1,100 and 1,200 RIF notices. The Education Department laid off 466 employees, Housing and Urban Development 442, Commerce 315, Homeland Security 176, and Treasury 1,446. These figures mark the first mass layoffs during a shutdown in modern U.S. history.

Despite the funding lapse, military pay remains intact. On Friday, President Trump announced that the Pentagon had secured funds to pay 1.3 million active-duty personnel, avoiding a missed paycheck on October 15. However, civilian contractors and support staff at military installations—including those in Colorado Springs—face uncertainty.

The Senate has failed seven times to pass a continuing resolution. A new vote is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, but bipartisan support remains elusive. An Economist/YouGov poll shows 41% of Americans blame Republicans, 30% blame Democrats, and 23% blame neither.

In Colorado, the effects are tangible. The closure of federal offices has stalled permitting processes, delayed housing assistance, and disrupted research at institutions like the U.S. Geological Survey and USDA Forest Service. Local nonprofits report increased demand for food and housing support, especially among families affected by federal layoffs.

The Rocky Mountain Dispatch has tracked the shutdown’s trajectory from its onset. In their October 1 article, “Federal Government Shuts Down as Funding Deadline Passes“, the Dispatch outlined the immediate consequences for Colorado’s federal workforce. A deeper analysis published September 29, “Shutdown as Strategy: How the White House Could Use a Government Freeze to Reshape the Administrative State“, explores the broader implications of using shutdowns as a tool for executive restructuring.

As the impasse continues, Colorado’s communities brace for further disruption. From delayed veterans’ benefits to stalled environmental reviews, the shutdown’s reach is growing—and local leaders are calling for swift resolution before temporary hardship becomes lasting damage.