Changes at National Lab of the Rockies: Name Change Followed by Layoffs
The National Laboratory of the Rockies, previously known as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has recently undergone significant changes, including a name change and workforce reduction. The lab, located in Golden, has laid off 134 employees in response to shifts in funding and priorities, according to spokesperson David Glickson.
Glickson explained, “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.”
Impact on Employees and Research Projects
Among those affected by the layoffs is Justin Daugherty, a communications project lead who worked on promoting federal initiatives for renewable energy transitions in agriculture and small businesses. Daugherty anticipated the possibility of layoffs following the Department of Energy’s announcement of grant reductions for renewable energy research last fall.
“I had sort of accepted that it might be possible. But then it happens, and there’s a grieving to it, right? Especially when it’s a job that you loved at one point,” Daugherty said.
He received notice of his termination during a brief video call and later treated himself to a meal at a French restaurant in Minneapolis, where he worked remotely for the lab.
While the lab employed over 3,500 full-time workers as of late 2024, it remains unclear if the layoffs targeted specific projects or research areas. A termination letter reviewed by CPR News cited “funding constraints, continued budget uncertainty and programmatic shifts” as reasons for the job cuts.
Historical Context and Future Prospects
The recent changes at the lab are not unprecedented. In May 2025, the Department of Energy laid off over 114 employees, and months later, the institution rebranded as the National Laboratory of the Rockies. This transition has been overseen by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a former fracking executive known for advocating “climate realism,” a perspective that challenges rapid shifts away from fossil fuels.
Additional layoffs may loom as the lab faces a 10 percent funding reduction for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, a key funding source. The cut was part of an appropriations bill signed by President Trump, which allocated approximately $3.1 billion to the office.
The Lab’s Evolution and Contributions
Founded in 1977 as the Solar Energy Research Institution, the lab was designated as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory by President George H.W. Bush in 1991. Since then, it has expanded its research scope to include energy-efficient technologies, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and geothermal systems.
- Trump administration renames Colorado’s National Renewable Energy Lab: the National Lab of the Rockies
- 114 people laid off from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Original Story at www.cpr.org