Emergent Campus

09/10/2026

Leadership update

After more than two years of building Emergent Campus Trinidad from the ground up, Executive Director Christine Louden is stepping down from her role. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and for everything she has given to the community and to advance our charter.

Under Christine’s leadership, Trinidad grew from a new initiative into an active hub for workforce development, technology education, entrepreneurship, and community connection. During that time, the Trinidad campus has grown to account for almost 30% of our organization's total workforce impact, building partnerships with Trinidad State College and regional employers, launching workforce and professional development programs, expanding youth STEM, robotics, and technology opportunities, and helping connect Trinidad to our broader regional mission. Christine also established a strong public brand for our work in Southern Colorado and developed a stronger network for our charter. Most of all, she was a fierce advocate for this region and the people in it.

Please join us in thanking Christine for the foundation she laid and wishing her every success in her next chapter.

Joze Petrich will serve as Interim Executive Director as we continue programming, partnerships, and our commitments in Trinidad.

09/10/2026

"In rural Southern Colorado, it is common for young people to leave home to find a good job. The Emergent Campus is working to change that. With support from an Opportunity Now grant, the program brings technology jobs and training to communities like Florence and Trinidad, where talented workers already live. In just 22 months, it has helped place 111 people in jobs, generating $7 million in primary income and an estimated $15 million to $16 million in annual economic impact.

The model inverts conventional workforce development. Instead of training people and sending them to where the jobs are, Emergent Campus recruits technology employers to communities where talented workers already live, then trains local residents to fill the roles."

Last summer, a handful of graduating seniors from Jefferson County and Denver Public Schools walked onto CoorsTek’s manufacturing floor and began a 15-month apprenticeship in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining. When these students complete the program this fall, they will be eligible for e...

09/04/2026

First Prize Winner! Emergent Campus member Brock Predivich, founder of dental tech company Bitezen, took home the $10k first place prize at the SoCo Startup Week Pitch Competition at Catalyst Campus in Colorado Springs!

09/04/2026

Last week, we had the opportunity to welcome Senator Jeff Bridges to Emergent Campus!

During his visit, Senator Bridges learned more about the work happening at Emergent Campus to support workforce development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic opportunity across rural Southern Colorado.

He also joined local business owners and entrepreneurs for a roundtable discussion focused on the realities of building and growing a business in a rural community—from the unique challenges rural businesses face to the many reasons entrepreneurs are choosing rural Colorado as the right place to build, grow, and invest.

We’re grateful to Senator Bridges for taking the time to listen, ask questions, and hear directly from the people doing the work in our communities. Conversations like these help ensure rural voices and experiences are part of the bigger picture as we work to create more opportunities right here in Southern Colorado.

09/01/2026

08/30/2026

Rural communities often struggle to attract and retain innovation-driven businesses, remote professionals, and entrepreneurs due to limited access to dedicated workspaces and professional networks.

To bridge this gap, Emergent Campus™, a 501(c)(3), provides business development programs and professional development support to rural communities in the tech sector in South Central and Southern Colorado. Our locations offer office and incubation space designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and economic growth.

Since 2019, our award-winning business campuses have been committed to empowering professionals and businesses with the resources they need to succeed while contributing to sustainable rural prosperity.

08/29/2026

Congratulations to Brock Predovich, Founder of BiteZen, for winning the $10,000 FIRST PLACE prize!

Brock is a Fremont County native, Air Force Academy graduate, serial entrepreneur, and business coach with the Emergent Campus, South Central Success Syndicate team.

08/26/2026

Special thanks to The Artful Platter and Observer Ranch for the great job on our After Party for Day 2 of Southern Colorado Startup Week in Fremont County!

08/26/2026

Big shout for our partner, Chris Koehn!

Today we're giving a shout-out to our fearless leader, Chris Koehn.

Every company has a story, and ours starts with Chris. As a Fremont County native, he's always believed that innovation doesn't have to come from a big city. That idea has been the driving force behind not only Second-61, but several successful businesses he's built over the years.

When Chris founded Second-61, the goal was simple: bring great technology solutions and meaningful career opportunities to rural Colorado. He also helped co-found Emergent Campus in Florence, creating a place where entrepreneurs, innovators, and businesses can grow together.

What started as one idea has grown into an incredible team that's proud to serve businesses across Colorado and beyond—all while staying true to our hometown roots.

Thanks, Chris, for believing in this community and showing what's possible when you invest in the place you call home.