In a push to bolster Colorado’s wildfire prevention efforts ahead of the dry season, Representative Jeff Hurd is leading the charge with other state officials to reinstate around 3,000 U.S. Forest Service staff who hold red cards, a credential that qualifies workers to assist with wildfire management and prevention.
Urgent Call to Action Amid Growing Wildfire Risk
Colorado’s leaders have written a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urging the reinstatement of these critical workers, who were part of recent federal layoffs. The workers in question, though not firefighters on the front lines, play a vital role in wildfire prevention and forest management. Their work supports essential wildfire mitigation activities, including forest maintenance, habitat restoration, and emergency response coordination.
This call for action comes at a critical time, just ahead of another wildfire season in Colorado. The state is facing low snowpack levels, dry conditions, and high wildfire risk, making the reinstatement of experienced forestry workers essential to maintaining fire prevention efforts.
Bipartisan Support for Reinstatement
Representatives Jeff Hurd, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, Diana DeGette, and Brittany Pettersen are joined by Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper in this urgent appeal. During a visit to Grand Junction on April 23, Senator Bennet expressed frustration over the federal layoffs, particularly given the importance of these workers to the state’s fire prevention infrastructure.
“They said they weren’t gonna let any firefighters go, but thousands of people with red cards have been let go,” Bennet remarked. “We’re going to push, continue to push, continue to push, to make sure that they understand how counterproductive that is and how damaging that is.”
Hurd: “We Can’t Afford to Be Short-Staffed”
Rep. Hurd, who represents Colorado’s Third Congressional District, echoed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the importance of these workers in protecting Colorado’s forests, water sources, and ecosystems. With seven national forests in his district, Hurd highlighted the broad scope of their work and the critical role they play in wildfire prevention.
“These are the folks who are on the ground helping to maintain our forests that not only protect the great outdoors but also the water that we rely on to grow our crops, water our lawns, and take care of our families,” said Hurd.
Hurd also pointed out that, despite the intent to protect firefighters during the Trump administration, the layoffs still occurred. “These employees may not have been seen as firefighters on paper, but in practice, they’re essential,” he said, underscoring the need to restore the staff as soon as possible.
A Matter of Public Safety
With Colorado heading into another dry and potentially dangerous fire season, the stakes are high. The absence of qualified personnel could lead to slower response times and more dangerous conditions should wildfires arise. The representatives argue that reinstating these workers would be an immediate and cost-effective solution, as these employees are already trained and familiar with the state’s forest management needs.
“We’re not asking to create new positions, we’re just asking to bring back people who are already trained and who are ready to go,” Hurd said. “These are public servants who want to do their jobs, and with fire season on us, restoring them isn’t just important. It’s urgent.”
There has been no official response from Secretary Rollins at this time, but the urgency expressed by Colorado’s leaders suggests that the issue will remain a priority as the wildfire season approaches.
