With only hours remaining before the federal government runs out of money, Democratic and Republican lawmakers remained deadlocked Tuesday over the allocation of funds for the next fiscal year.
If neither party agrees to budge, the federal government is scheduled to shut down at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, and all but essential government services will be put on hold.
In such an event, thousands of federal employees would go unpaid until a budget is passed. There have also been threats of mass layoffs.
But what would it mean for the residents of La Plata County, who may not be employed by the federal government?
The immediate impacts are expected to be minimal, but the effects could become more noticeable if a shutdown dragged on for weeks – especially for lower-income residents.
The U.S Postal Service, National Weather Service and air travel – all deemed essential services – will continue to operate as usual for the duration of a shutdown.
“In the short-term, there should be limited impacts on airport operations,” said Tony Vicari, director of aviation for the Durango-La Plata County Airport.
Still, the Durango airport – along with airports all across the country – will keep a close eye on Congress and the evolving budget developments, he said.
“In past shutdowns of longer length, federal employees across the country who are starting to miss paychecks see the very real impacts of a shutdown and lack of funding,” Vicari said. “And then, not surprisingly, you typically see an uptick in folks that aren’t coming into work or are protesting in some fashion (because) they’re not being compensated.”
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits will continue, as will veteran health care and other benefit programs.
In a less secure position is La Plata County’s department of Human Services, which administers a variety of benefit programs to children, older adults, disabled and low-income residents.
“We would be OK in a government shutdown for the first month,” said Martha Johnson, department director. “If it goes longer than that – then I am not sure what happens with the government funding.”
Most programs are ensured funding through October, if not longer. But in the case of an extended funding freeze, Johnson said all of her department’s services may be affected. All programs are at least partially supported with federal dollars.
Notably, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would be at risk.
In La Plata County, 5,081 people across 2,880 households received SNAP benefits in May, Johnson said.
Typically, SNAP funding is authorized for 30 days after a shutdown. What happens after that, Johnson said she isn’t sure, but she expects more clarity Wednesday morning after a statewide phone call.
“I’m disappointed that our legislators aren’t able to reach agreement and move forward in the best interests of the people who live in the United States,” Johnson said. “This isn’t the first government shutdown that has happened since I’ve been working in human services, and each time, it’s definitely anxiety-provoking. Especially for the people who receive benefits or vital services.”
Statewide, mothers and children on the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which is administered locally under the La Plata County Public Health Department, would be affected most immediately.
According to Colorado’s WIC dashboard, 554 mothers and children in La Plata County were enrolled in the program as of August.
A La Plata County spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment.
The status of national parks face the most uncertainty. Typically, all agency branches shut down and parks close. But during the last shutdown, in 2018 under President Donald Trump, parks were kept open despite federal law.
The San Juan National Forest, southwest office of the Bureau of Land Management and Mesa Verde National Park did not immediately respond to requests for comment. For several months, all local federal offices have been required to direct media requests to national headquarters.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
