TRINIDAD, Colo. — October 12, 2026 — Trinidad State College (TSC) is pleased to announce an open house for a newly completed home at 1024 East First Street in Trinidad on Thursday, October 29, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. The event will celebrate the completion of a remarkable community revitalization project that transformed a condemned property into a new, custom-built home constructed by students from the Trinidad Correctional Facility.
From Condemned Property to Community Asset
The story of 1024 East First Street began with an existing, severely deteriorated home originally slated for restoration. As work progressed, the property was determined to be unfit for rehabilitation and was ultimately condemned. Rather than abandon the project, partners made the decision to demolish the structure and build something new in its place.
From that decision emerged a new two-bedroom, two-bath custom home, built from the ground up. The completed home brings renewed curb appeal, functionality, and value to the neighborhood while providing students with an authentic construction experience from the foundation through the finishing touches.
A Partnership Built on Education and Opportunity
The project is a collaborative effort between Trinidad State College and the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC), made possible through the Colorado Partnership for Education and Rural Revitalization (COPERR) initiative. Students at the Trinidad Correctional Facility played a vital role in bringing the project to completion, providing the skilled labor, craftsmanship, and dedication required to transform the vision into a finished home.
Trinidad State College has a long-standing educational partnership with CDOC, providing postsecondary education and career and technical training opportunities to incarcerated students. Through this partnership, students can earn credentials and develop workforce-ready skills while completing meaningful, hands-on projects.
The 1024 East First Street project gave students in TSC’s Construction Program a unique opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. Students were involved in every phase — from observing licensed local contractors completing specialized work, to landscaping and contributing to the home’s intricate finishing details. All participating students were from the Trinidad Correctional Facility and worked under the guidance of TSC Construction Instructor Pat Martinez and CDOC Instructor Paul Burrows.
“I am incredibly proud of every student who has contributed to building this house. They show up early each morning with a can-do attitude, ready to learn, work together, and take on whatever task is put in front of them. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment are what make the COPERR program possible. This house is a reflection of not only what they have built, but also the skills, confidence, and sense of responsibility they have developed along the way.”
— Pat Martinez, TSC COPERR Instructor
“Preparing people for life after release is an essential part of our work at the Colorado Department of Corrections. Our partnership with Trinidad State College gives students the opportunity to put their education to work, gain construction experience, and contribute to the community. I’m proud of what these students have accomplished and grateful to our Trinidad Correctional Facility staff and instructors whose work makes opportunities like this possible.”
— Andre Stancil, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Corrections
COPERR: Connecting Education to Rural Revitalization
The project is part of the COPERR initiative, which connects higher education, workforce development, and community renewal under the guidance of the Attorney General’s Office.
“TSC’s COPERR programming is enriching the lives of the local community, by revitalizing blighted neighborhood homes and developing a workforce with improved job prospects and practical skillset. This is a great example of rural colleges working to solve important housing needs in the community.”
— Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General
“These students have built a home that will serve this community while developing construction skills that can help them prepare for employment after release. Their work demonstrates the value of connecting education to real community needs. We are proud of what they have accomplished and grateful to the Colorado Department of Corrections and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office for their partnership.”
— Dr. Dustin Eicke, President, Trinidad State College
Building More Than a House
For the students, this project was more than building a house. It was an opportunity to apply technical skills, work as a team, solve problems, meet deadlines, and see the results of their work take shape.
“We can’t thank TSC and the COPERR program enough for giving us the opportunity to be part of an experience that has challenged us to grow through teamwork, responsibility, and accountability. This program has helped us see what we are capable of accomplishing when we work together toward a common goal.”
— Jason, TSC COPERR Student
“TSC and the COPERR program have taught us so much more than construction skills. It has shown us the importance of maintaining our environment, taking pride in our work, and building the strong work ethic and accountability needed to succeed in the workplace. These are lessons we can carry with us long after the project is complete.”
— Kenneth, TSC COPERR Student
TSC is grateful to the many community partners who contributed their time, expertise, and resources to help bring this project to life:
- ACE Hardware of Alamosa
- Altitude Appliances — Alamosa
- Apex — Twin Enviro
- Baca Construction
- Chiquita View Kitchens
- City of Trinidad
- Colorado Hazard Control
- CTL Thompson
- Home Depot of Pueblo
- Leone Sand and Gravel
- Majestic Slopes
- Performance Builders and Roofing
- PVC Construction
- Service Plus Electric
- Sherwin Williams
- Shields Survey
- SLV Building Components
- Trinidad Builders (Trinco)
Community Invited to Celebrate
Trinidad State College invites community members, partners, local officials, educators, workforce leaders, and members of the media to join TSC and its students in celebrating the completion of this project.
Open House — 1024 East First Street, Trinidad, Colorado
Thursday, October 29, 2026
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Guests will have an opportunity to tour the completed home, learn more about the COPERR initiative, hear about the students’ experiences, and see firsthand the results of a partnership that brings together education, workforce development, and community revitalization.
The home will be sold at fair market value in the coming months, with proceeds reinvested into future projects that support community revitalization and provide students with workforce-ready learning opportunities. To sustain and expand this initiative, Trinidad State College is seeking donations of derelict or distressed properties that can be transformed through the same innovative partnership.
Media Contact:
Craig Ludwick
Marketing Director, Trinidad State College
719-846-5101
craig.ludwick@trinidadstate.edu
About Trinidad State College
Founded in 1925 as Colorado’s first community college, Trinidad State College provides
affordable, accessible higher education at campuses in Trinidad and Alamosa. With
more than 50 degree and certificate programs, Trinidad State meets students where
they are and helps them pursue their goals, whether through transfer pathways to four-year
universities or career-focused programs. Across every pathway, students gain the knowledge,
skills and experience to succeed in today’s workforce.
About COPERR
The Colorado Partnership for Education and Rural Revitalization (COPERR) brings together
education, workforce development, and community partners to create hands-on learning
opportunities that address real needs in rural Colorado communities. Through projects
such as the 1024 East First Street home, students gain practical experience while
contributing directly to community revitalization and economic development.
About TSC and the Colorado Department of Corrections, Trinidad Correctional Facility
Trinidad State College has partnered with the Colorado Department of Corrections to
provide educational opportunities to incarcerated students for many years. Through
this partnership, TSC provides college courses and career and technical education
designed to help students earn credentials, develop marketable skills, and prepare
for successful transitions into the workforce and community.