DENVER — Colorado has joined 24 other states and the District of Columbia in a lawsuit challenging budget cuts to AmeriCorps implemented by the Trump administration. The lawsuit asserts that these cuts effectively threaten the agency’s operations, claiming that only Congress has the authority to dismantle AmeriCorps.
AmeriCorps has been a vital part of the federal landscape since its inception in 1993, providing support in various areas such as disaster relief, education, environmental initiatives, community health, and services for veterans, according to the legal filing. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser emphasized the longstanding benefits of AmeriCorps, stating that in 2024 alone, its members contributed over one million hours of service across all of the state’s 64 counties.
Weiser criticized the Trump administration’s approach, describing it as a concerted effort to weaken the agency through drastic staffing cuts, grant terminations, and the release of volunteers. “We are suing to stop this illegal dismantling of AmeriCorps and preserve the spirit of community service in our state and nation,” he said.
The lawsuit outlines how the cuts have led to significant disruptions within AmeriCorps, including furloughs of most staff and the cancellation of various contracts and grants. These actions have drawn bipartisan disapproval, reflecting widespread concern about the implications for community services.
Governor Jared Polis voiced similar sentiments, noting the critical work AmeriCorps members do to support essential services like wildfire mitigation, educational assistance, and mental health access. He lamented that the cuts would detract from critical supports for Coloradans.
The legal argument contends that the administration’s actions violate the constitutional separation of powers and overstep its authority. According to the lawsuit, any significant changes to AmeriCorps’s programs should follow a public rulemaking process, which has not occurred.
The complaint further argues that the administration’s actions could be legally challenged for disregarding the established funding processes and for attempting to terminate the agency’s core functions without congressional approval.
Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, who oversees Serve Colorado, highlighted the potential detrimental effects on local communities. “This decision will have devastating effects on communities across our state,” she said, emphasizing the importance of national service for addressing local needs.
The participating states in the lawsuit include Maryland, Delaware, California, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The lawsuit aims to protect the essential role that AmeriCorps plays in fostering volunteerism and national service, which has far-reaching benefits for citizens and communities alike.
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