Huffman, a U.S. Navy veteran, was illegally terminated by the Trump Administration from her role at the United States Forest Service
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper announced that Amelia Huffman will join him as his guest at President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress tonight, Tuesday, March 4th.
“Amelia has dedicated her life to serving our country, both as a naval officer and a public servant,” said Hickenlooper. “The administration illegally fired her and other hardworking Forest Service employees without any plan and put Colorado at risk right as we head into peak wildfire season.”
“Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be challenging. These jobs in the public lands sector provide an opportunity for veterans to stay connected to their sense of purpose and duty. We’re able to continue serving, not just in an abstract way, but in a tangible, real-world manner by conserving the land we once fought to protect,” said Huffman.
Huffman began her military service as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy in May 2020. She subsequently served as the Combat Gunnery Division Officer aboard the USS Mason and transitioned to Beachmaster Unit Two, later acting as a Weapons Officer.
In 2024, Huffman and her wife moved to Fort Collins, where she took a role with the United States Forest Service (USFS) at the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. Her job was on the front lines, directly connecting the public to Colorado public lands. Whether it was answering phone calls about camping reservations, providing information about trail conditions, or offering guidance during wildfire events, she played a key role in ensuring the public received the support and information they needed.
Last month, the Trump administration abruptly fired Huffman and over 3,400 USFS employees who were responsible for wildfire mitigation, range and timber management, habitat conservation, and outdoor recreation management. Hickenlooper, along with members of the Colorado Democratic delegation, sent a letter to the Trump administration to demand answers and call for reinstatement of the fired USFS employees.
Hickenlooper also highlighted the threats that USFS firings will have on Colorado on Twitter/X: “USFS staff in Colorado work around the clock to manage our forests and help prevent wildfires. They know our landscapes and rural communities inside and out. The USFS was already stretched thin before this. Firing 3,400 public servants without providing justification or a plan to Congress is misguided. It will cost us more money in the long run and leave Colorado at a higher risk.”
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