Trinidad State College is a public community college in Trinidad, Colorado. It was founded in 1925, making it the first community college in the state of Colorado. Trinidad State also operates a satellite campus in the city of Alamosa, Colorado, roughly 100 miles northwest of Trinidad. The college offers 49 degree programs in vocational fields. The college's name changed from Trinidad State Junior College to Trinidad State College in 2021.
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Academics
TSC offers courses in many diverse areas, including gunsmithing, aquaculture, cosmetology, welding, and nursing, as well as traditional arts and STEM subjects such as English, biology, and chemistry. Additionally, TSC trains first-responders with both an affiliated Emergency medical services training center in Grand Junction, Colorado, and its own on-campus Peace Officer Standards and Training program.
Trinidad State has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1962.
Gunsmithing
TSC's gunsmithing school is one of only four accredited by the National Rifle Association of America (NRA), Trinidad State College offers an associate of applied sciences degree in gunsmithing. Also offered are several certificates, notably custom 1911 pistolsmithing. The gunsmithing program was started in 1947 by P. O. Ackley, known as the "father of modern reloading".
Athletics
Trinidad State's athletic teams are known as the Trojans. As a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), TSC offers 12 athletic programs, including:
Esports
Baseball
Men's basketball
Women's basketball
Men's cross country
Women's cross country
Men's indoor/outdoor track & field
Women's indoor/outdoor track & field
Men's soccer
Women's soccer
Softball
Volleyball
Notable alumni
Frank Clarke, football player
Mark Grudzielanek, baseball player
Spencer Haywood, basketball player
Gayle Hopkins, track and field athlete
Danny Jackson, baseball player
Cody Jones, football player
Kimmi Lewis, rancher and politician
Devonte Upson, basketball player
Larry Walton, football player
Gary Weaver, football player
Ken Bannister, basketball player
Ainsley Ridgeway, Gunsmith