Trinidad, CO
Population 8,329 (2020 Census)
Month Year visit: Saturday, May 27, 2023 - morning hike at Fischer Peak State park, then afternoon and evening in Trinidad downtown
Small Town Vibe blog link: tbd
Observations: Trinidad has an exceptional number of beautiful and historic buildings, dating back to early 1900s when coal mining was fueling the economy and the population was over 12,000 at its height in 1930s-40s. We visited about 2 years ago, and noticed a significant revitalization effort with more active businesses. We parked near Gramma's brewery (co-located with Sexy Pizza) for lunch, but later learned Gramma's (parent site in Denver) was closing down after the weekend. We talked with the bartender who said business had slowed since the buzz of the early days, and she wasn't sure why. We enjoyed the many hours we spent walking around the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. There were many people out (as one might expect on the Saturday of Memorial weekend) and we were impressed to see a number of buildings actively being renovated to support (we assumed) new businesses.
Waling Tour: online website information | Audio Tour
Online Research
Google Search: 'Trinidad Revitalization' and ' Trinidad historic downtown'
June 7, 2022: Colorado State news brief announcing Grant Awards through the CDOT Successful Revitalizing Main Streets Program
City of Trinidad | $1,800,000 for the project: Multi-use Path Along Santa Fe Trail. This project will provide a multi-use connection providing safe access and mobility for residents of all ages, incomes, and ability, including vulnerable users
Downtown Trinidad Development Group
"After the coal mines closed in the late 1960s, Trinidad, Colorado suffered an economic depression that has lingered for over 50 years. As Colorado's most southern city and a common destination for interstate travelers, we see big potential. We hope to be the leader in Trinidad's economic redevelopment and bring Trinidad back to its former glory."
Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (COEDIT)
Colorado Creative Districts Program
The Trinidad "Corazon de Trinidad" Creative District, is working with a Colorado State program that certifies communities that contribute to the State’s economy through creativity, culture and the arts. The goal is to help communities increase jobs, incomes and investments in creative places.
Spaces to Create Program: In 2015, Trinidad was selected as the community for the first demonstration project.
Space to Create Colorado utilizes Artspace as the lead consultant for feasibility and market studies. Space to Create Colorado projects are eligible for funding from the Boettcher Foundation.
The Corazon de Trinidad is a historic district in Trinidad, Colorado which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[1]
The district is a 132 acres (53 ha) area roughly bounded by the Purgatoire River on the north and west, Walnut St. on the east, and 3rd, W. 1st and Animas Sts. on the south.[1][2][3]
It includes approximately 50 contributing buildings. A full list can be found at this link: Category:Corazón de Trinidad (historic district) - Wikimedia Commons
Colorado Preservation, Inc: El Corazon de Trinidad (listed as of 2000) website
Sources of Project Funding and Support
April 5, 2023: Construction students in Trinidad are fixing up blighted homes. Hands-on training and helping their community is the payoff (article from CPR (Colorado Public Radio) News)
April 1, 2023: Transforming Trinidad: SMU (Southern Methodist University) program takes interest in town's revitalization (article from Corsicanadailysun)
March 25, 2023: EPA awards $998,770 to clean up and revitalize former Holy Trinity property in Trinidad, Colorado
Feb 3, 2023: Attorney General's Office to expand grant to revitalize rural housing, support trades programs in southern Colorado (article from Market Place)
Trinidad State College (TSC) was part of the firt grant announcement in 2020... As of November 2022, the total grant amount for the college is $2.76M ...
Oct.6, 2022: In Trinidad, a new space for artists to create - and live - opens with an eye on revitalization and community (article from CPR (Colorado Public Radio) News)
Trinidad Walkability Score and AARP Livability Index
as of 5/31/2023
