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MorningMagazine_2025-03-03 Gabrielle Mendoza
Anti-Musk Demonstration
Hundreds of protestors gathered outside of the Tesla showroom in Superior Saturday, to demonstrate their opposition to the new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
The department is run by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and is meant to find and eliminate excess federal spending.
Musk and DOGE have drawn widespread criticism for taking a slash-and-burn approach to cost-cutting.
The Daily Camera says about two hundred people took part in Saturday’s demonstration, which lasted about two hours. One of the protestors said that the only way he can afford his daughter’s treatment for cystic fibrosis is through Medicaid. While Medicaid has not yet been affected by DOGE cuts, the man is concerned, because Musk has mentioned the program as a possible target.
Demonstration organizers said they made sure that participants remained on public property during their protests, and that they have no issues with Tesla employees.
Denver7 says that Saturday’s protest in Superior was part of a nationwide backlash against Elon Musk and DOGE.
Also on Saturday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside of the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, to protest federal layoffs of national park employees.
Nationwide, at least a thousand National Park Service workers have lost their jobs because of DOGE layoffs, according to 9News. Some of the workers have said that among other things, the layoffs increase the risk of wildfires.
You’ll hear much more about the National Park Service layoffs, and what they could mean for the future of our public lands, on today’s Mag and the first half of A Public Affair.
NOAA Layoffs/Boulder
At the same time, a demonstration is planned for later today outside the Boulder office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The protest was called after the federal government laid off hundreds of NOAA and National Weather Service probationary employees last week. The layoffs affect employees across the country, including in Boulder.
A probationary employee refers to someone who is newer to their role. That designation generally lasts until they’ve been at that job for about a year. However, according to the federal government, the probationary period can last much longer depending on the agency.
The Daily Camera says the two offices produce weather forecasts that millions rely on. They cited a former NOAA scientist who said the layoffs will end up hurting taxpayers.
The layoffs came in spite of a District Court judge’s order that the government stop indiscriminate layoffs because they’re probably illegal. That’s according to the Colorado Sun.
Former U.S. Representative David Skaggs, a Colorado Democrat, told The Camera he sees the layoffs as short-sighted and counterproductive, adding that, in his words, “President Trump does not know beans about science.”
Skaggs added that he encourages people to take part in today’s demonstration, which is set to begin at 11:45 outside the NOAA building at 325 Broadway.
Meanwhile, Representative Joe Neguse, along with Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, are calling for an investigation into what they termed a dismantling of the NOAA.
KGNU will bring you our on-the ground coverage of the protest tomorrow, on the Morning Magazine.
DPS Layoffs
Denver Public Schools (DPS) has eliminated 38 central office jobs. 30 of those roles were filled, meaning roughly 30 individuals have been laid off.
In announcing the job cuts late last week, Superintendent Alex Marrero described it as a “restructuring plan” that will save the district about $5 million annually.
The job cuts go into effect on July 1. Only eight of the eliminated positions are currently vacant.
According to Marrero’s memo, employees who have been laid off will receive a severance package based on their years at DPS, and will be eligible to apply for other openings in the district.
The Colorado Sun spoke with one of those laid-off employees – Maria Hardman, who worked with DPS for about a year-and-a-half providing critical support and resources to unhoused students so they could keep attending school. She told The Sun that she’s worried about how the layoffs will impact DPS’ most vulnerable students.
A district spokesperson told The Denver Post that the cuts are not related to any federal funding freeze.