(The Center Square) – Colorado is leading the legal effort against the Trump administration for its cuts to the AmeriCorps program.
That effort was granted a win last week, when a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction ruling that the cuts, both monetary and of personnel, must be paused.
Colorado was joined by 23 other states in the lawsuit, which argues that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority in cutting the program.
While the majority of those states are Democrat-led, some Republican-led states like Kentucky also signed onto it. The temporary injunction only applies to the states that are a part of the lawsuit and also exempts staff reductions at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued a statement regarding Thursday’s decision.
“The illegal cuts to AmeriCorps threaten Colorado communities that rely on program volunteers to provide services to military veterans, older Americans aging in place, people dealing with substance abuse, and wildfire mitigation support,” Weiser said. “The true spirit of service embodied by the hundreds of AmeriCorps members and volunteers across the state is something that gives me hope in the future.”
AmeriCorps is a U.S. government-funded service organization created in 1993. According to americorps.gov, the agency enrolls more than 200,000 people each year, while also providing more than $4.8 billion in education awards.
In February, Trump issued an executive order directing every federal agency to reduce its staff in a money-saving effort.
Since then, AmeriCorps has placed at least 85% of its workforce on administrative leave, as previously reported by The Center Square. It also canceled more than $400 million in grant funding nationwide, which has totaled nearly $1 billion annually in recent fiscal years.
Weiser said Colorado programs would be hurt by these cuts, which make “no sense.”
“Every region in Colorado has directly benefited from the contributions of AmeriCorps members,” he said. “I won’t stop fighting until we’ve permanently put a stop to the Trump administration’s reckless and shortsighted attempt to destroy AmeriCorps and the spirit of community service for which it stands.”
Currently, Colorado has 25 operational grants and two planning grants receiving funding from AmeriCorps grants, according to the state. Some of those programs include early childcare facilities, literacy groups and homeless advocacy.
“AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers served at more than 700 locations across Colorado, including schools, food banks, homeless shelters, health clinics, youth centers, veterans facilities and other nonprofit and faith-based organizations,” stated a report from AmeriCorps.
In Colorado, AmeriCorps had 6,600 members and volunteers working from February 2024 through February 2025. It also spent more than $44.5 million in federal funding on programs in the state during that period. Now, at least $8 million of that is in jeopardy, according to an interview with Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has also pushed back against the cuts, stating in a post on social media that it makes an “incredible impact” in the state.
“With important work at over 700 sites across all 64 counties, AmeriCorps members are tackling major issues, from wildfire mitigation to affordable housing and mental health access,” he said.
This is just one of more than a dozen lawsuits that Colorado has joined in challenging actions taken by Trump and his administration since January. The legal battle over AmeriCorps will likely continue as the lawsuit makes its way through the courts.
