TRINIDAD, Colo. – FOX21 sat down with Trinidad Mayor Phil Rico to talk about Trinidad, its history and what makes Trinidad welcoming.

Trinidad was a hub of activity in the late 1800s and early 1900s until the 1980s. The mines began to close in the 1980s, today the town is trying to become a destination as it was back when it stopped on the Sante Fe trail. Mayor Rico remembers coming to Trinidad as a kid, how the economy was booming, there were three stores shoes and many small shops offering clothes. He would like Trinidad to return to this personalized service.

“To walk into a place, they greet you ‘Sarah hello, Craig hello. What can I help you with? You want a new suit, let’s throw a new suit on you,” Mayor Rico said.

Mayor Rico says Trinidad still has its fusion of all types of people. Those who came to work in the mine and their families have stayed and Trinidad welcomes new people to the community. He wants to welcome newcomers to the community and hopes they will join the culture of Trinidad.

Mayor Rico explains that if you examine the history of Trinidad you will find something new each time, he always discovers things about the history of Trinidad. He says the setting is what makes Trinidad the place to visit.

“If you look at the setting, Trinidad is a beautiful setting. The people here are welcoming, we are very open, Trinidad has always welcomed people,” said Mayor Rico “…What we are trying to do is build, try to diversify our economy and how we diversify our economy is about welcoming people into our community. .”