TRINIDAD — Over the last few years, Trinidad has seen a boom in revenue- specifically from marijuana sales. Situated about ten miles north of the New Mexico border, they see their share of tourists coming in.

“Marijuana revenue has pretty much been our savior through some rough times, especially COVID,” Mike Valentine, Trinidad City Manager said.

For Valentine, who’s spent most of his life in Trinidad, he’s noticed a difference in the downtown area over the last few years.

“It’s been quite a transformation from buildings downtown being boarded up or just sitting vacant to now where it’s vibrant our streets are full of people,” Valentine said.

Trinidad has generated millions of dollars of revenue in the last few years since business has taken off. With more than twenty dispensaries, it’s given new life to a town heavily impacted by the coal mining industry.

Among some of the city resources now getting an upgrade- Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Society, a non-profit that also operates the city’s animal services. A portion of the shelter’s funding comes from the city.

For years, Noah’s Ark has been operating in a space that includes a small building, trailer, and a shipping container. Within the next year, Noah’s Ark will operate out of a 6,000 square foot facility.

Karen Griego, a Trinidad city council member and former board member for the shelter says it’s been a need for nearly a decade.

“Before [marijuana] we tried to do this the city of Trinidad just barely had enough revenue coming in to maintain the services,” Griego said.

The shelter is currently taking bids for construction on the interior of the new shelter site. For more information visit the link here: Noah’s Ark.