Attorney General Phil Weiser co-led a coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s dismantling of AmeriCorps through a 90% reduction of its workforce, effectively ending the agency’s ability to continue administering the programs, operations, and funding that make its important work possible.
“For more than 30 years, communities across the nation have benefited from the work of AmeriCorps members and volunteers. In 2024 alone, AmeriCorps members in Colorado contributed over one million hours of service across all 64 counties. In an attempt to dismantle the agency, the Trump administration and its DOGE demolition team made abrupt and drastic cuts to staff and volunteers and terminated grants. We are suing to stop this illegal dismantling of AmeriCorps and preserve the spirit of community service in our state and nation,” said Attorney General Weiser.
“In Colorado, AmeriCorps members are on the front lines: supporting wildfire mitigation, helping students succeed in school, and expanding mental health access. Their work touches every part of our state, and these cuts are taking important services away from Coloradans and our communities,” said Governor Jared Polis.
AmeriCorps is an independent federal agency that supports national and state community service programs by providing opportunities for Americans to serve communities and awarding grants to local and national organizations and agencies to address critical community needs. These organizations and agencies use AmeriCorps funding to recruit, place, and supervise AmeriCorps members nationwide. AmeriCorps members and volunteers, for example, have connected veterans to essential services, fought the opioid epidemic, helped older adults age with dignity, rebuilt communities after disasters, and improved the physical and mental well-being of millions of Americans.
In Colorado, AmeriCorps grants are managed by Serve Colorado, a state government office housed in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Serve Colorado currently manages 32 grants, including grants to Colorado Youth for a Change, United Way of Southwest Colorado, and Colorado State University. Since 2015, Serve Colorado has awarded nearly $102 million in AmeriCorps grants and has enlisted nearly 12,000 AmeriCorps members in service to the state of Colorado.
In early February, the Trump administration issued an executive order directing every federal agency to plan to reduce the size of its workforce and prepare to initiate in large-scale reductions in force. Since then, AmeriCorps has placed at least 85% of its workforce on administrative leave immediately and notified employees that they would be terminated effective June 24 this year.
“AmeriCorps unlocks the power of national service which supports transformation outcomes for both communities and members,” said Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera. “This decision will have devastating effects on communities across our state, impacting our ability to support students, provide families food and housing supports, protect against forest fires, and lift up our neighbors. Cutting AmeriCorps undermines our ability to meet local needs and erases a pipeline of passionate, skilled individuals ready to lead in every sector. We believe these actions are not only reckless but immeasurably harmful, and we will continue to consider every approach to support the power of national service in our state and across the nation.”
In the lawsuit filed today, the coalition argues that by dismantling AmeriCorps, the Trump administration is effectively ending states’ abilities to support AmeriCorps programs within their borders — the few remaining staff members at AmeriCorps will not be able to timely process grants and ensure the flow of funds to states, which will harm organizations and agencies that receive these grants.
The coalition explains that the Trump administration has acted unlawfully in its gutting of AmeriCorps, violating the Administrative Procedure Act and the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution. Congress created AmeriCorps and the programs it administers, and the President cannot incapacitate the agency’s ability to administer appropriated grants or carry out statutorily assigned duties.
Others joining in filing today’s lawsuit include the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as the Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
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