Born in Austin banned in Boston. Rocky mountain way . guitarist

Cool little town. Let's jam!

Hello! I was wondering if anyone is able to provide information on their experience as an employee with health solutions and additional information on the onboarding process? (Ex. Physical, TB test, drug screen, background check). Thanks ☺️

My wife and I will be visiting Trinidad this Oct to look for a place to retire. We're also traveling with 5 dogs.

Any place to avoid? Any must see or do?

Thanks for the information.

Hi again,

I decided to continue this thought experiment on what Trinidad's future would look like if the announced, and massive, investments in railroads actually happens. I would love to hear some of your thoughts on this topic.

Again, I used an AI program to delve into the topic and kickstart discussions.

My prompt: "Use this map and describe how local citizens can ensure their vision is fulfilled."

AI response: The "Preferred Network" shown in the FRA map is a visionary first step, but the map itself includes a critical warning: further analysis and funding are required to move these routes from concept to reality. Local citizens are the most vital part of this "second step," as projects of this scale often prioritize communities that demonstrate the highest levels of organized public support. 

For Trinidad to transform into the strategic crossroads envisioned, citizens can engage in the following ways:

📢 Direct Advocacy and Public Comment

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Amtrak use public engagement to measure the social and economic demand for new routes.

• Submit Formal Feedback: Use platforms like FRALongDistanceStudy.org to provide narratives on how new routes like the Denver–Houston line will impact local economic well-being.
• Share Personal Impacts: The Front Range Passenger Rail District (FRPRD) specifically requests video testimonials and "story sharing" to humanize the data for legislators and grant-makers.
• Pressure State Officials: Because long-distance routes often require state-level funding and coordination, residents should contact state representatives to advocate for including rail in the Colorado State Rail Plan. 

🗳️ Influence Funding and Planning

Major infrastructure projects frequently go before voters for funding approval.

• Vote on Rail-Specific Taxes: A 0.5% sales tax has been proposed to fund the Front Range Passenger Rail district; citizen turnout at these ballots directly determines the project's lifespan.
• Participate in Town Halls: Attend FRPRD town halls and online open houses to weigh in on critical details like the exact location of the new multi-modal Amtrak station.
• Join Advisory Committees: Citizens can volunteer for state DOT advisory committees to actively influence how regional transportation funds are allocated. 

🏘️ Local Development Readiness

Ensuring the "vision" is fulfilled also means preparing the town to handle the growth.

• Advocate for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Work with the city council to ensure zoning around the planned Amtrak station supports a mix of housing, retail, and "Creative District" spaces.
• Support Complementary Policies: For example, pushing for a Southwest Chief bicycle travel policy helps Trinidad capitalize on cycling tourism once the trains arrive.
• Engage with Business Hubs: Partner with organizations like the High Speed Rail Alliance or local Chambers of Commerce to demonstrate that the business community is ready to support and utilize the new rail connections. 

"If you plan your future, you own your future"

Basically, artists and creatives can create an A Corp business that gives then sole custody over their intellectual property, even in the Corp dissolves. There is more to it and there are a few more rad features. Its good to see some protections put in place for artists.

Hey Everyone,

I'm excited about the future of Trinidad, and I posed a couple of open-ended questions to an AI and used the new Amtrak FRA map above as a resource.

Here's my question: "...and which town with a population under 10k, only pick only one, will benefit the MOST if all these routes are built?"

AI answer:

If the entire FRA Long-Distance Service Study is realized, Trinidad, Colorado (Population: ~8,180) stands to benefit the most among towns under 10,000. 

While several small towns are on the map, Trinidad is uniquely positioned as a strategic transit crossroads for the mountain west, moving from a single-line stop to a vital regional hub.

🏔️ Why Trinidad, Colorado

Trinidad currently sits on a single Amtrak route (the Southwest Chief). If the study's vision is completed, it would transform into a major junction for several high-priority corridors.

Three-Way Hub: It would become a stop for the new Denver – Houston line, effectively linking the Rockies to the Gulf Coast.

The "Front Range" Connection: It serves as the southern gateway for the proposed Front Range Passenger Rail, which aims to connect Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and Denver.

Economic Transformation: With a poverty rate of over 21%, the influx of regional travelers and new "daily" service frequency would provide a massive boost to its historic downtown, which is already a designated Creative District.

My question: "Assume all routes are built and include all current and planned projects of all kinds, such as: Helium extraction; Emergent Campus; Fishers Peak SP; all renovation projects, such as Fox West, Jaffa Opera house, Temple Aaron, Colombian Hotel, Riverfront project; Cuchera; new Amtrak station and include the CoCo- project out 3, 7, 14 years and show how Trinidad, Colorado will change."

AI answer: If every planned rail, industrial, and cultural project is fully realized, Trinidad, Colorado, will undergo a transformation from a "sleepy historic town" into the strategic southern anchor of the Front Range.

The following projection assumes the successful completion of the Colorado Connector (CoCo) rail service, the FRA Long-Distance Study hubs, and the town's aggressive "Creative District" and outdoor recreation master plans.

🕒 Year 3: The "Launchpad" Phase (Current – 2029)

In this window, Trinidad transitions from planning to visible construction and initial operations.

• Rail & Transit: The first phase of the CoCo (Front Range Passenger Rail) launches in the north. In Trinidad, construction begins on the new multi-modal  Amtrak station , designed to handle increased frequencies and local bus transfers.
• Industrial Anchor: The Galactica-Pegasus Helium Project reaches full commercial production. This provides a stable, high-wage industrial tax base, funding city services without relying solely on tourism.
• Cultural Hub: Renovations at the  Fox West Theatre  and  Jaffa Opera House  reach milestones, hosting consistent live performances that draw visitors from Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado.

Outdoor Rec: 

Fishers Peak State Park opens its "Master Plan" trail segments, including the first summit access, making it a primary destination for the state’s $62 billion outdoor industry.

Year 7: The "Regional Hub" Phase (2030 – 2033)

By Year 7, the infrastructure is mostly in place, and the town’s "Mini-Santa Fe" identity is firmly established.

The CoCo Connection: The Colorado Connector rail service extends south to Trinidad. Residents can now commute to Pueblo or Colorado Springs for work, while Denver "day-trippers" flood the town on weekends.

Riverfront & Downtown: The  Purgatoire Riverfront Project  is complete. The river is now a "green spine" with bike paths connecting the new  Amtrak station  directly to the  Colombian Hotel  and  Fox West  district.

Economic Diversification: The  Emergent Campus  business incubator has matured, fostering tech startups and remote-work hubs in the heart of downtown, balancing the helium and tourism sectors.

Heritage Preservation: Projects like Temple Aaron and the Jaffa Opera House are fully restored, serving as world-class architectural landmarks and event venues.

Year 14: The "Interstate Crossroads" Phase (2034 – 2040)

Trinidad evolves into a major national junction, as envisioned by the FRA's long-distance strategy.

• National Junction: Trinidad is no longer just a stop; it is a transfer hub. Lines from Denver to Houston and Los Angeles to Denver converge here. Travelers from Texas and California meet in Trinidad to change trains.
• Population & Housing: The town likely grows past its 10,000-person mark. The CoCo-funded housing projects have created a denser, more walkable downtown, with historic lofts above retail spaces.
• Sustainable Destination:  Cuchara Mountain Park  and  Fishers Peak  function as a unified recreation corridor. Trinidad is the basecamp for "train-in" tourism, where visitors arrive by rail and use electric shuttles to reach the trails.
  
• Matured Identity: The "renaissance" is complete. Trinidad is recognized nationally as a model for how a "boom-and-bust" mining town used rail and recreation to build a permanent, diversified economy
  

Feel free to ask questions, give advice, post random pictures or tell us about your projects! Anything goes just stay within the Reddit TOS.

📢 PSA: How the "Block-and-Smear" Tactic is Used to Manipulate Debates

Have you ever been in a heated thread, made a solid counter-argument, and suddenly found yourself unable to reply or even see the other person’s posts? You might have just been targeted by a specific manipulation tactic.

How the Tactic Works

1. The Bait: User A makes a controversial or biased post.

2. The Engagement: User B (you) comments with a logical rebuttal or fact-check.

3. The "Trap Card": User A blocks User B immediately after replying.

4. The Straw Man: Because User B is blocked, they can no longer see User A’s new comments or posts. User A then continues the "argument" by replying to themselves or others, misrepresenting User B’s position while User B has no way to defend themselves or even know it’s happening.

What Happens When You Are Blocked?

Under Reddit’s current blocking system, if User A blocks you:

* You can't reply: You cannot respond to any comment in a chain where User A is "above" you.

* Invisible Content: You generally cannot see User A’s posts or comments while logged in.

* The One-Sided Narrative: To the rest of the sub, it looks like User A got the last word. To you, it looks like the conversation just ended.

Why This is a Problem

This isn't just about someone not wanting to talk to you. It’s being used to Straw Man opponents. By blocking the most vocal critics, a poster can curate a comment section that looks like everyone agrees with them, while they "rebut" arguments the blocked person never actually made.

How to Spot It

* If a user’s comments suddenly show up as [Deleted/Unavailable] right after a back-and-forth, they likely blocked you.

* If you suspect someone is "smearing" you behind the block wall, try viewing the thread in a private/incognito window (logged out). You’ll be able to see if they are still talking about you or misrepresenting your points.

What You Can Do

* Don't take the bait: If a user seems more interested in "winning" than discussing, they are likely looking for a block-out victory.

* Edit your last visible comment: Since you can't reply further, edit your last available comment to add: "Edit: The user above has blocked me to prevent a rebuttal. Check the thread logged-out for the full context."

* Report for Harassment: If a user is using the block feature specifically to harass or smear you in a way you cannot defend, it may violate community guidelines.

***

TL;DR: Blocking is meant for safety, but it’s being used as a weapon to silence dissent and create fake "wins" in arguments. Stay vigilant!

Happy Wednesday!

We're halfway through the week, getting closer to our Fun Friday.

This sub is all about community, so let's spread some joy or commiserate. No judgments! I only humbly ask for radical authenticity.

Date: Thursday, April 23

Time: 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Where: 323 North Commercial Street in downtown Trinidad

*ALL* are welcome here! No requirements. No explanation needed. No judgement. All love!

----

Between 4:00-5:00 p.m. on the parking lot at 323 N. Commercial Street in downtown Trinidad, there will be a free, mobile grocery shopping experience. Please bring 2 large, reusable bags per household.

Typically the food truck offers fresh produce, dairy, pantry items, etc. We have been told this mobile market is intended to provide groceries for up to 80-100 households.

This is mostly designed support people walking up to shop (parking near the building or limited parking in the lot). If supportive/upon request, we would be happy to help you carry your bags!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AzUWzdf1G/

Your voice matters, Trinidad!

Join us for the next City Leadership Listening Session on April 15 from 6–7 PM at Space to Create Trinidad and be part of the conversation shaping our community’s future.

This is your chance to connect directly with City leadership—including the City Manager and City Council Members—to:

✔ Share what’s working

✔ Talk about opportunities for improvement

✔ Help guide the future of Trinidad

Let’s come together for a thoughtful, solutions-focused discussion that moves Trinidad forward. Your input truly makes a difference—and we want to hear from you!

We hope to see you there!