How the Government Shutdown Could Disrupt Travel and Parks in Colorado

U.S. Government Shutdown Begins: What Northern Colorado Needs to Know

On Wednesday, October 1st at 12:01 AM EST the United States government shut down. This is the fourth time that the federal government has paused since 2013, according to NBC.

There is no word on just how long this shut down will last. During President Donald Trump's last time in office, the U.S. government went through its longest shutdown in the nation's history back in 2018.

This lasted for 34 days, according to NBC..

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Now, because lawmakers in Congress couldn't reach an agreement on funding multiple different services and operations have been put on hold, according to reports.

Many of these specific services are going to affect Northern Colorado.

How the Government Shutdown Impacts Denver International Airport

TSA and Air Traffic Controllers at DIA

In a report from Denver 7 news, many federal workers are currently  being furloughed due to the shutdown, but that's not the case for people who work at TSA.

The Transportation Security Administration agents as well as air traffic controllers at DIA are still at work. However, they are not getting paid for their service. Since these workers are considered "essential" they have to keep working.

They will get paid once the government shutdown ends.

Read More: Flying Out of Denver? These Everyday Foods Could Get Confiscated by TSA

At the start of the shutdown, travelers might not even notice that anything is different at the airport. The longer that the government is shutdown the greater the possibility of long lines, delays, and flight interruptions, according to reports.

If you’re flying through DIA in the next few days or weeks, plan to arrive early, have patience, and don’t forget to thank the TSA workers.

Rocky Mountain National Park During the Shutdown

Are Colorado’s National Parks Still Open?

If you wanted to head out to Estes Park for some prime leaf-peeping, make sure to take this into consideration.

Many employees of the National Park Service have been furloughed during this shut down, according to reports.

Rocky Mountain National Park will still be open, but they will have limited services like "protection of life, property and public safety."

Officials from the National Park Services said in a statement, "During the federal government shutdown, the National Park Service will continue to share critical information about park access, safety, and resources. Some services may be limited."

Read More: 20 Best Colorado Towns for Fall Colors in 2025

Are Visitor Centers at Rocky Mountain National Park Open?

Reports confirm that visitors were able to get into the park, but they couldn't check out all of the visitor experiences. All of the visitor centers within Rocky Mountain National Park were closed since they are run by park rangers (federal employees).

The Fall River Visitor Center, located just outside the park, is run by Rocky Mountain Conservancy staff and is open to travelers.

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