The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) has initiated legal proceedings against the Trump administration, challenging the proposed dismantling of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. UCAR contends that this action constitutes unlawful retaliation against the state, stemming from political disagreements between Colorado and the federal government.
NCAR, a premier institution for atmospheric research, supports a wide array of scientific endeavors, including weather forecasting, climate change studies, and space weather analysis. The center’s resources encompass research aircraft and a supercomputing facility essential for complex modeling tasks. Managed by UCAR—a nonprofit consortium representing over 130 educational institutions—NCAR has been instrumental in fostering collaborative research efforts across the nation.
The controversy began in December when the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) labeled NCAR as “one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country” and advocated for its dissolution. This characterization has been perceived by many as a politically motivated attack on climate science. Since then, plans have progressed to disband NCAR, with discussions about reallocating its assets, including computing facilities and the headquarters building.
UCAR’s lawsuit alleges that the administration’s actions are a form of retaliation against Colorado for its political stances, particularly its use of mail-in ballots and its refusal to release Trump ally Tina Peters, who is serving a nine-year prison sentence for attempting to undermine the 2020 election results. The dismantling of NCAR is also suspected to be tied to efforts by Trump administration officials to sell off parts of the institution to private interests before a formal comment period was completed. Democratic Congressman Joe Neguse has called for an independent investigation into these claims. This lawsuit marks another chapter in ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Colorado over issues ranging from climate policy to election integrity. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/03/16/ucar-lawsuit-ncar-dismantling-ncar-trump-administration?utm_source=openai))
Representative Joe Neguse, a Democrat from Colorado, has been vocal in his opposition to the administration’s plans, describing the proposed breakup of NCAR as “deeply dangerous,” “reckless,” and “ultimately unlawful.” He emphasized the critical role NCAR plays in advancing scientific understanding and the potential negative impact its dissolution could have on both the scientific community and the public. ([cbsnews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/joe-neguse-ncar-colorado-trump-dismantle-retaliation/?utm_source=openai))
This legal action is part of a broader pattern of conflicts between the Trump administration and various states over environmental and scientific policies. For instance, California has filed multiple lawsuits against the administration for actions such as blocking the state’s clean-air rules for vehicles and terminating funding for energy and infrastructure programs. ([calmatters.org](https://calmatters.org/environment/2025/06/california-sues-trump-blocking-clean-air-rules-cars/?utm_source=openai))
The outcome of UCAR’s lawsuit could have significant implications for the future of federal support for scientific research institutions and the broader relationship between the federal government and states on matters of science and environmental policy.