Coal enabled a way of life in Craig that many cherish. A close-knit small town community is still a draw. But for those growing up here now, knowing big changes are ahead, will that feeling be enough for them to stay?

In this episode, we look beyond coal and energy to examine some of the other opportunities that Craig will need to build out to retain and attract students and families. Education will be crucial. At Colorado Northwestern Community College, for example, new programs in aviation, cybersecurity, and paleontology might provide other career avenues.

There's new creative energy coming in to Craig already. We see it in the public art sector, and the young business owners starting to make investments here. The next generation will find very different opportunities here than their parents did. Maybe that's what it takes to move beyond what's defined the town for so long.

Host: Kristan Uhlenbrock
Guests: 

• Marie Bolton, student, Colorado Mesa University
• Ariane Caldwell, Secretary, Northwest Colorado Arts Council
• Lisa Jones, President, Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC)
• Melanie Kilpatrick, Executive Director, Northwest Colorado Arts Council
• Sue Mock, paleontology coordinator, CNCC
• Sasha Nelson, Executive Director, Workforce Education and Economic Development, CNCC
• Brittany Young, Assistant Director, Craig Chamber of Commerce

Coal at Sunset was created by the Institute for Science & Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and produced in partnership with House of Pod. To hear bonus clips and find additional resources, visit https://coalatsunset.org/