Although rural Colorado communities like Trinidad face economic challenges, resources
like Trinidad State College’s Makerspace, located inside its library, could provide
an economic boost by fostering innovation with a collaborative environment equipped
with tools, technology and training.
Donna Haddow, the continuing education coordinator at TSC, oversees the Makerspace and described it as a place for people to come together and learn new skills or share their skills with others.
She told The Chronicle-News, “If there’s a small business someone is trying to get off the ground but they can’t afford the equipment, they can come here and use it until they have enough momentum to go off on their own. It’s a kind of incubator.”
Economic challenges have placed increasing pressure on rural communities like Trinidad, with losses in marijuana revenue, boom or bust cycles of industry, business closures, and job losses, and the potential closure of critical access hospitals, such as Salud Family Health, threatening local healthcare access, while recent tariffs and USDA funding freezes leaving rural farmers in a state of uncertainty. According to the Colorado Community College System, higher education institutions are vital to sustaining rural economies.
“Colorado’s rural communities are wonderful places to live, work, play, and build a future, but they can do so only with our continued investment and attention,” CCCS stated. “Across CCCS, we are committed to strengthening our colleges to be effective partners in building sustainable economies while also preserving the rural way of life that is the foundation of Colorado’s western heritage.”
The Makerspace at TSC could be a hub for creativity and skill development, offering high-tech tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and robotics kits alongside traditional equipment like sewing machines leatherworking tools, and crafting supplies. It also provides workshops, mentorship programs, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
The Makerspace has recently moved to the Freudenthal Memorial Library on the TSC campus, which they expected would increase community accessibility. It is now open on Saturdays, which Haddow believed would would boost awareness and participation.
Funding has helped TSC’s Makerspace to grow. Last year, the program received a grant of approximately $50,000.
“With that grant, we were able to a large portion of the equipment equipment available
in the makerspace including 3D printers, laser engravers, an embroidery machine, industrial
sewing machine, and much more.”
Haddow said the Makerspace evolved organically as part of efforts to offer more resources to the community.
“A few years back, I had a friend who had worked in the Makerspace, and together, we approached the president about formalizing it. She (the friend) no longer lives here, but (the Makerspace) has continued on,” she said. Looking to the future, Haddow envisioned more opportunities for workforce development through the Makerspace.
She said, “We’re always looking for volunteers and people who want to share their knowledge. You might think what you have to share isn’t interesting, but there are people out there who want to learn.