Denver Airport Collects Gift Cards for Unpaid TSA Workers

Union official says the problem remains despite the gesture.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:22am

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Denver International Airport has launched a donation drive for $10 and $20 gift cards from major retailers to support federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers who are working without pay due to the ongoing government shutdown. Collection bins and locked boxes have been set up in the main terminal and at the cellphone lot, and the effort will run until the shutdown ends.

Why it matters

The government shutdown has left thousands of TSA workers across the country without paychecks, creating financial hardship for them and their families. While the gift card drive is a gesture of support, it does not address the underlying issue of the workers not being paid for their essential services.

The details

This is the second such campaign launched by the Denver airport in the past five months to support unpaid federal workers. While other major airports have reported hours-long security lines, Denver's waits have mostly stayed under 22 minutes. However, airport officials warn that could change as more than 1.3 million passengers are projected to pass through security during spring break.

  • The donation drive launched on March 13, 2026 and will run until the government shutdown ends.
  • A previous gift card drive was held at the Denver airport about five months ago during another government funding lapse.

The players

Denver International Airport

The major airport serving the Denver metropolitan area, which has launched a donation drive to support unpaid TSA workers during the government shutdown.

Angela Grana

A union official with the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1127, which represents TSA officers in Colorado. She expressed appreciation for the help but said gift cards don't solve the underlying problem of workers not being paid.

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What they’re saying

“It's a big ask to ask these officers to show up again and again to work with no paycheck. It's hard to ask an employee to choose between continuing the mission of the oath that they took or their family. It's a hard choice and not everybody can do that.”

— Angela Grana, Union Official (Colorado Public Radio)

What’s next

Airport officials warn that security wait times could increase significantly as over 1.3 million passengers are expected to pass through during spring break, if the government shutdown continues and more TSA workers are unable to report to work.

The takeaway

While the gift card drive is a compassionate gesture to support unpaid TSA workers, it does not address the root cause of the problem - the ongoing government shutdown that has left thousands of federal employees without paychecks. Resolving the funding impasse remains crucial to ensuring airport security and avoiding further disruptions to air travel.