CO-Create Erie Makerspace Seeks Community Support to Bring Creative Hub to Life

ERIE, Colo. — A new community makerspace is preparing to open its doors in Erie at the beautiful Schofield Farm and Open Space located at 2203 N. 111th Street, and organizers are calling on residents, businesses, and community supporters to help turn the vision into reality.

CO-Create Erie, a nonprofit, volunteer-run makerspace, is working to establish a creative community hub where people of all ages and backgrounds can learn new skills, share knowledge and access tools that are often too expensive or impractical for individuals to own themselves.

The makerspace, expected to open by fall of 2026, will provide community access to equipment, workshops and collaborative workspaces in a variety of creative disciplines, including woodworking, ceramics, fiber arts, sewing, 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics and printmaking.

"Our mission is to make creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning accessible to everyone," said CO-Create Erie President, Karen Hofmeister. "We want to create a place where students can learn to use a 3D printer, a retiree can pursue a woodworking project, an artist can experiment with printmaking, and neighbors can come together to learn from one another."

As construction and planning move forward, the organization is seeking community support in three key areas: equipment donations, monetary contributions and volunteers.

Equipment Donations Needed

Many of the tools and machines needed to operate the makerspace can be donated by local businesses, schools, tradespeople, artists, and community members. The organization is currently seeking new or gently used equipment and tools related to woodworking, ceramics, sewing, fiber arts, electronics, digital fabrication and printmaking.

Donated equipment will help reduce startup costs and allow the makerspace to offer more resources to members from day one.

Funding Needed to Equip and Sustain the Space

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CO-Create Erie relies on community support to fund its operations, member sponsorships and programming.

Monetary donations will help purchase essential equipment, furnishings, safety infrastructure, tools, and supplies. Funding will also support ongoing operating expenses, maintenance, utilities and educational programming.

In addition, donations will help the organization provide free community events, workshops, youth programming, and membership scholarships for individuals and families who may not otherwise be able to afford access to the space.

"We believe financial circumstances should never be a barrier to creativity, learning, or innovation," Hofmeister said. "Community support will allow us to offer scholarships and create opportunities for more people to participate."

Volunteers Are the Heart of the Organization

Unlike many organizations, CO-Create Erie is operated entirely by volunteers.

The nonprofit is actively recruiting volunteers to help with facility setup, workshop construction, equipment installation, fundraising, marketing, event planning, member onboarding, and day-to-day operations once the makerspace opens.

Individuals with backgrounds in trades, construction, woodworking, technology, education, administration, or simply a desire to contribute to the community are encouraged to get involved.

Whether someone can donate a tool, make a financial contribution, volunteer a few hours a month, or share their expertise by teaching a class—every contribution helps bring this community resource to life.

Building a Creative Future for Erie

CO-Create Erie aims to become a place where creativity, craftsmanship, technology, and lifelong learning intersect. By providing access to specialized tools and collaborative workspaces, the organization hopes to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, artistic expression and community connection throughout the region.

Community members interested in donating equipment, making a tax-deductible contribution or volunteering can learn more by visiting ErieMakerspace.org.

As Erie continues to grow, CO-Create Erie hopes to become a lasting community asset—one built by the community, for the community.