PUEBLO – Pueblo Community College has announced plans to purchase a building in Pueblo West to expand its welding, automotive and other trade programs. The college has entered into an agreement with a seller and leaders hope to close on the property at 713 E. Spaulding Ave. in September.
PCC currently teaches automotive and welding on the Orman Avenue campus in Pueblo, at Cañon City High School, and at its southwest campus in Mancos. PCC automotive classes are also offered at Pueblo West High School. However, the popularity of these programs means they often have waiting lists despite offering morning, afternoon and evening classes to meet the demand.
“This is about the growth of PCC and supporting the workforce needs of the region,” PCC President Chato Hazelbaker said. “These are programs that lead directly to living-wage jobs for our students, and they are not going to slow down.”
Both welding and automotive are signature programs at PCC. The automotive program was the first in Colorado to offer training for electric vehicles and has expanded in recent years to include new certifications. Local demand for welding is strong, and PCC trains students for a variety of jobs including structural and pipeline welding.
Hazelbaker said an extensive business plan for the property showed that the project will contribute revenue back to the overall budget of the college. The total cost is approximately $3 million. Funding for the purchase will come from reserves the college has accumulated over several years, and the PCC Foundation has launched a mini campaign to raise $1 million to support the purchase of the building and preparations for its opening, which is expected in fall 2027.
