After 43 days of suspended federal operations, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history has come to a close. On Wednesday evening, the House of Representatives voted 222–209 to approve a funding bill, following Senate passage earlier this week. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the measure tonight, allowing federal agencies to reopen Thursday morning.

What the Bill Covers

The legislation provides full-year funding for three departments—Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Energy—while extending temporary funding for all other agencies through January 30. It does not include provisions for expiring health care tax credits, a point of contention among House Democrats, most of whom opposed the bill.

Despite partisan divides, a handful of Democrats joined Republicans to secure passage, citing the urgent need to restore federal services and stabilize benefit programs.

Colorado-Specific Impacts

• Federal Workers Return to Duty
  Thousands of Coloradans employed by federal agencies—ranging from the Forest Service to the Bureau of Land Management—will return to work Thursday. Back pay is authorized, though processing may take several days.
• National Parks Reopen
  Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes, and Mesa Verde will reopen to visitors, with full staffing expected by the weekend. Park maintenance and permit processing will resume immediately.
• SNAP and EBT Benefits Resume
  Colorado’s Department of Human Services has confirmed that Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) systems are stabilizing. Emergency SNAP payments began flowing last week under court order, but many recipients received only partial benefits. Full restoration is expected by mid-November, though some counties may experience delays.
• Housing and Tribal Services
  HUD programs and tribal support services will resume, including housing vouchers and infrastructure grants. The Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes, which rely on federal coordination, are expected to receive delayed payments by the end of the month.
• Contractors and Vendors
  Local businesses with federal contracts—especially in construction, logistics, and IT—can resume work. However, reimbursement for shutdown-related losses remains uncertain.

What Comes Next

With funding set to expire again on January 30, Colorado lawmakers face renewed pressure to negotiate long-term solutions. Advocacy groups are already mobilizing around health care provisions excluded from the current bill, and rural communities are calling for stronger protections against future disruptions.

For now, the reopening offers relief—but not resolution.