National Laboratory of the Rockies axes another 134 positions

The facility formerly known as NREL has terminated staff for the second time in less than a year.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The National Laboratory of the Rockies, based in Golden, Colorado, let go 134 employees on Monday, the second round of layoffs at the facility in less than a year. The lab, which operates under the U.S. Department of Energy, cited adjustments to existing and projected funding levels and alignment with DOE priorities as the reasons for the job cuts.

Why it matters

The National Laboratory of the Rockies, formerly known as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is a major research institution focused on advancing renewable energy and combating climate change. The latest round of layoffs raises concerns about the lab's future direction and ability to continue its important work under the Trump administration's policies.

The details

The eliminated positions were in both research and operations at the lab's main 327-acre campus in Golden as well as its National Wind Technology Center in Boulder County. A spokesman said a 'large percentage' of the cuts were made in Golden, where most of the lab's nearly 4,000 employees are based. The lab also has offices in Washington, D.C., and California, and a research site in Alaska.

  • On Monday, February 10, 2026, the National Laboratory of the Rockies announced 134 job cuts.
  • In May 2025, the Trump administration previously slashed 114 positions at what was then known as the NREL campus in Golden.

The players

National Laboratory of the Rockies

A major research institution focused on renewable energy and climate change, operating under the U.S. Department of Energy with its main campus in Golden, Colorado.

David Glickson

A spokesman for the National Laboratory of the Rockies.

Brittany Pettersen

A U.S. Representative whose congressional district includes Golden, Colorado, and who criticized the Trump administration's decision to cut more staff at the national lab.

Audrey Robertson

An Assistant Energy Secretary who announced the renaming of the lab from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to the National Laboratory of the Rockies in December 2025.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States whose administration has targeted federal workforce and climate change programs, according to critics.

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What they’re saying

“These actions were taken to adjust to existing and projected funding levels and alignment with DOE priorities. We recognize the meaningful contributions of those impacted and the role they have played in advancing the laboratory's work.”

— David Glickson, Spokesman, National Laboratory of the Rockies (The Denver Post)

“Donald Trump has consistently put our federal workforce on the chopping block. These are people who work to make energy more affordable, conduct groundbreaking climate research, and keep our state up and running. Trump's backwards agenda is going to undo the progress we've made to combat the climate crisis and have cascading effects on our economy. I'm deeply sorry to the employees whose livelihoods are now in jeopardy.”

— Brittany Pettersen, U.S. Representative (Text message)

“we are no longer picking and choosing energy sources”

— Audrey Robertson, Assistant Energy Secretary (The Denver Post)

What’s next

The National Laboratory of the Rockies has not announced any definitive future plans or events related to the latest round of layoffs.

The takeaway

The job cuts at the National Laboratory of the Rockies reflect the Trump administration's broader efforts to scale back federal support for renewable energy research and climate change initiatives, which could have far-reaching consequences for the lab's important work and Colorado's economy.