2025 Federal Government Shutdown

At 12:01 a.m. ET on October 1, 2025, federal funding expired, triggering a government shutdown. This shutdown will continue until the Republican-led Congress enacts appropriations legislation or a continuing resolution to fund federal agencies.

In the days leading up to this lapse in federal funding, Congressman Neguse was hard at work in Washington, D.C. — pushing for a bipartisan agreement that would’ve kept critical services up and running for families in Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District. He remains committed to fighting for the best interests of the people of Colorado.  

Team Neguse is committed to serving federal agencies and employees affected by the government shutdown, as well as community members experiencing impacts in their everyday lives. Our offices remain open and available to assist you and your families. You can reach a member of our staff by calling our office in Boulder at (303) 335-1045, Fort Collins at (970) 372-3971, and in Washington, D.C. at (202) 225-2161. Do not hesitate to reach out!

Additionally, if you are being directly impacted by the government shutdown and are from Colorado's 2nd Congressional District: We would like to hear your story! Please fill out the form HERE. 

You are not required to submit your name or contact info. However, we invite you to provide this information confidentially, so that we can follow up with you. If you choose to include your name and contact information, we will not share it or your story beyond Congressman Neguse's office without your explicit consent.

Finally, we want to ensure you have the information you need regarding how a government shutdown might affect your everyday life. Below are some frequently asked questions about a shutdown and key information you may need to know. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a federal government shutdown? And who will be affected?

Every year, Congress must pass legislation to fund government operations for the upcoming fiscal year. If a new appropriations bill isn't enacted by the deadline, Congress needs to pass a temporary measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which sustains the government's funding at its current level. In the absence of an approved appropriations bill or a CR, the government faces a shutdown due to lack of authorized funding.

Each government agency has its own contingency plans for how to operate during a federal shutdown. Many federal agencies will have to stop or reduce the essential services they provide during this lapse in funding, as well as furlough non-essential employees and have essential employees work without pay.

If I have an issue with a federal agency, can I still call them for help? Can you help me instead?

During a federal government shutdown, many federal departments and agencies furlough workers, so their help desks may have little or no staffing. You can contact our office to open a case for you, and we can contact an agency on your behalf and provide you with updates if they are open or when they re-open at the conclusion of a shutdown. During a shutdown, our office will continue to submit inquiries to federal agencies including requesting updates on constituents’ behalf, submitting paperwork, and opening new cases. We will continue providing you with any updates as soon as it is available. 

Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks? 

Recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will provide limited services like issuing Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA will stop services like benefit verifications and processing overpayments. Customer service wait times will dramatically increase.

Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?

Current Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits assuming a shutdown lasts less than three months.

What happens to veterans’ services?

All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits. However, veterans will be affected by the shutdown of other services that they count on, including education and job training, support for veteran owned businesses, and even assistance for homeless veterans.

Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?

According to reports issued prior to the Trump administration’s reckless mass terminations of public servants, Colorado is home to 41,167 federal employees; 6,290 of whom live in Colorado’s 2nd District. When the government shuts down, federal agencies are required to classify their employees whose salaries have lapsed as either “excepted” or “not excepted.” The employees classified as “excepted” work without pay during the shutdown. The employees classified as “not excepted” are put on unpaid furlough.

Do furloughed federal employees get back pay?

The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act – passed after the 2018 shutdown – requires federal employees who are furloughed or required to work during a lapse in appropriations to be compensated for the period of the lapse. After a federal government shutdown ends, all employees must be paid immediately for the time lapsed. 

What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?

Colorado is home to 65,858 active duty and reserve personnel serving our nation’s armed forces. All active-duty and Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders are excepted and therefore are required to work without pay. On-base non-acute health care will cease, although off-base care provided through Tricare will not be affected. On-military base child care will be open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement will also be required to work without pay for the duration of a shutdown.

Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?

Military and federal retirees will continue to receive their retirement benefits. Processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed.

Will air travel be affected?

Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will remain on the job without pay. If some do not report to work, as has happened in prior shutdowns, there will be significant delays and longer wait times across the country.

What does this mean for disaster relief efforts?

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will still respond to emergencies, but all long-term projects will be delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.

How will this affect environmental protection and cleanup?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will stop inspecting most hazardous waste sites, as well as drinking water and chemical facilities. Efforts to address dangerous contaminants like PFAS — which are linked to severe health effects, including cancer — will be delayed, and cleanup activities at Superfund sites will slow or cease.

What is the impact on food assistance?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will quickly run out of funding and be unable to provide food for children and parents in need. In the case of a prolonged shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may also be affected.

What is the impact on food safety activities?

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities — such as routine inspections of facilities — will be delayed across the country.

What is the impact on housing?

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will stop insuring some new mortgages and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will stop processing some new loans. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will stop new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans. Funding for federal housing assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, may be jeopardized in a prolonged shutdown.

How will this affect small businesses?

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop processing new business loans, such as through the 7(a) and 504 programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will continue regular operations.

Will my mail still arrive?

Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.

What does this mean for medical research?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be forced to delay new clinical trials. New patients who are waiting for a chance at new treatment through a clinical trial will be turned away.

Will I still be able to visit National Parks and monuments?

Across the country, services that require National Park Service staff — including trash removal and operating campgrounds and concessions — may be stopped. Closures will be determined on a location-by-location basis. Governor Polis has signaled the state of Colorado is evaluating its options to keep our parks open and staffed, or to create avenues for the state to assist in keeping parks open and protected. Open-air parks and monuments in Washington, D.C. will likely remain accessible. Smithsonian museums may also be impacted by a lengthy shutdown.

How does this affect passports and help for Americans overseas?

Consular services, passport services, and visa services are expected to continue in the immediate aftermath of a government shutdown. In a prolonged shutdown, passport and visa issuance could be slowed. Access to passport agencies located in some government buildings may be limited.

What is the impact on state and local services?

The federal government shutdown will not immediately affect any state or local services. However, with federal funding cut off, some state or local governments may have to change their operations. Check with state and local agencies for specific questions.

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