The Daily Sun-Up Why the Trump administration is targeting Colorado
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Feb 18, 2026 Taylor Dolven, Colorado Sun reporter who dug into why federal actions targeted the state. Caitlyn Kim, CPR Washington correspondent covering Capitol impacts. Bente Birkeland, CPR reporter analyzing federal moves. They discuss public attacks and false claims, early signs like denied relief and Space Command, science center fallout, frozen safety-net funds, Project 2025 links, legal fights and local political trade-offs.
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Public Attacks Preceded Federal Actions
- President Trump repeatedly targeted Colorado publicly, linking complaints from mail-in voting to policy disagreements.
- Those public attacks preceded federal actions like moving Space Command and cutting grants, suggesting a pattern beyond rhetoric.
NCAR Closure As A Tipping Point
- NCAR's announced breakup sparked swift outrage from Boulder residents and the scientific community.
- The move felt like a tipping point that transformed complaints into claims of targeted retaliation.
Safety-Net Funding Freeze Threatens Vulnerable Families
- The administration froze hundreds of millions in TANF and childcare funds alleging misuse for undocumented families.
- That action risked immediate harm to very low-income Colorado families and child-care providers.