Why Trinidad?
"There's no mistaking it for any other town in Colorado. For one thing, few other cities have a downtown filled with Victorian architecture that's remained nearly unchanged during the last century. But should you need a reminder of where you are, all you need to do is look down. The streets are paved with red bricks, and each brick is stamped 'TRINIDAD'." –Colorado Life Magazine
The Downtown Trinidad Development Group was created to engage in commercial development projects to stimulate the growth of Trinidad, and elevate it to become a vibrant tourist and residential community. The owners of the group have personal connections to Trinidad and the means to initiate targeted and strategic development efforts to stimulate additional investment into the Trinidad economy. Our efforts are designed to act as a catalyst for other critical infrastructure and development by local, county and state government agencies and private investors. We believe that collectively, with city officials and other developers, Trinidad is poised to become a first class destination embodying the history and resiliency that epitomizes our great state.
Our efforts will take advantage of all available incentives and government programming to include, but not limited to: urban renewal, business improvement districts, tax incentive financing, as well as historical preservation and jump-start initiatives.
Meet the Development Team
JAY CIMINO
In Memoriam
Founder
CEO and majority partner in the Phil Long Dealerships, Founder and Board Member Emeritus of Trinidad Community Foundation and community philanthropist. Cimino is a native of Trinidad, attended Trinidad State Junior College and graduated from the University of Denver.
GINA CIMINO
President
Gina manages the day-to-day operations of the Mt. Carmel Center and serves on the Mt. Carmel Board of Trustees. Gina is a licensed real estate agent and serves as the President and Broker of Kip Hampden Properties. She also has 25+ years in business and marketing and holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Colorado.
GARY FENTIMAN
Director of Operational Support
Gary has worked in the automobile industry for 39 years with multiple awards and accomplishments. For the past five years, he has been involved on the leadership team of Kip Hampden LLP, a real estate holding and development company.
TIM LAMB
General Counsel
Tim has been General Counsel for Downtown Trinidad Development Group since January 2017. Prior to that, Tim was a private practice attorney for 35 years.
KARL GABRIELSON
General Manager
As a Trinidad resident for 18 years, Karl is a valuable asset to our team. His background within the community working for the City of Trinidad as a city planner, as well as project manager for Cougar Canyon Development, allows him to understand the unique challenges facing this growing community. Karl has been in the real estate development business since the 1980s and has a personal passion for the city of Trinidad.
CY MICHAELS
Hotel Operator
Cy is a Partner and General Manager, as well as the Food and Beverage Director at La Quinta Inn and Suites Wellness Hotel Trinidad. Her professional background spans all aspects of the hospitality industry and has positioned her well to be the hotel operator for the property in La Puerta de Colorado.
GINA SACRIPANTI
Chief Communications Officer
Gina has over 25 years of experience in the not for profit financial services, consumer advocacy, and media industries leading events, community outreach, sponsorships, public relations, marketing, and communications. Originally from Maryland, she is proud to call Colorado her home and is excited about the possibilities of Southern Colorado and its community.
Development Consultants
DANA CRAWFORD
An American architectural conservation developer and preservationist working in Denver, Colorado. She has been involved in almost every renovation project in downtown Denver, from the initial designation of the LoDo District and creation of Larimer Square to Union Station.
GRANT BENNETT
As Principal and Founder of Proximity Green, Grant works with investors, owners and developers to create, execute and manage real estate development projects. Focus areas for his work include: financial strategy, community development, design team management and project management.
SAL PACE
Sal worked on behalf of southern Colorado for close to a decade before becoming a State Representative. He was the director of U.S. Congressman John Salazar's district offices across the state. In that capacity, Sal managed issues dear to rural Colorado, including: water, education health care, job creation, transportation, renewable energy and economic development. In 2008, Sal was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, District 46-Pueblo. Sal was appointed to serve as one of three Pueblo County Commissioners in January 2013 and re-elected in November 2014 to serve out a full four-year term.
DEBBIE WAGNER
A legislative consultant at Lombard & Clayton, Inc., Debbie provides valuable and relevant information to the team regarding key legislative issues that may affect our development efforts.
Matt dalton & spencer fane
Matt helps developers create taxing districts for their proposed developments – commercial, residential, or mixed use – so they can use tax revenue and municipal debt to help finance their project and provide ongoing services once the development is complete.