Hundreds of IRS Workers in Denver Laid Off Amid Nationwide Cuts
A wave of layoffs hit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Denver on Thursday as part of a sweeping nationwide workforce reduction under the Trump administration.
According to a government official, the IRS let go of approximately 6,700 employees across the country, targeting probationary workers who had not yet secured civil service protection. In Denver, sources estimate up to 200 employees were affected.
At the IRS office on 1999 N. Broadway, workers were informed via email Wednesday night to “bring in our equipment,” signaling their termination. Arlene, a contact representative in collections, said employees had been bracing for the layoffs all week.
“We’re all probationary employees—about 121 of us here,” she told FOX31. “It’s devastating. Most of us don’t even know how we’re going to pay our mortgages, rent, or put food on the table. This should not be happening.”
Patricia Allen, president of the National Treasury Employees Union Local 32, said affected employees received notices citing poor performance, despite no documented proof of such claims.
“There’s no severance. There’s no ‘next week.’ You get paid nothing,” Allen said.
More than 5,000 of the terminated employees worked in auditing and tax collection, critical roles in maintaining tax compliance. Workers fear the layoffs will have severe consequences for the 2025 tax season.
Osvaldo Delgado, another impacted employee, expressed frustration over the decision.
“They told us we were hired because the agency was short-staffed, and now they’re firing us? It makes no sense,” he said.
Despite the cuts, IRS staff involved in the upcoming tax season were previously told they could not accept buyout offers until mid-May, after the tax filing deadline. Employees worry this disruption will lead to widespread processing delays.
“It’s going to be bad,” Delgado warned. “I have a feeling it’s just going to go progressively downhill from here.”
Some believe the layoffs are politically motivated.
“We are heartbroken,” said Aimee Millensifer. “We have worked so hard. I have never worked this hard at a job in my life. Elon Musk is running this show, and Donald Trump is letting him. It’s a disgrace.”
During a press briefing Thursday, White House officials defended the decision, calling the terminated workers “ineffective” and indicating that more layoffs could follow as IRS technology improves.
Meanwhile, the union representing the affected employees is preparing to file a wrongful termination lawsuit.
