Vision, Mission, Values
VISION
The Fox West Theatre Alliance aims to provide a world-class venue that celebrates our history and promotes performing arts, culture, and economic development to enrich the lives of all citizens of Trinidad, Las Animas County, and the region.
MISSION
Promote performing arts, education, cultural and economic development for all citizens of Trinidad, Las Animas County, the region, and its visitors by rehabilitating the historic Fox West Theatre.
VALUES
Thoroughness, Honesty, Engagement, Appreciation, Teamwork, Reliability, Entrepreneurship
Board of Directors
Suzanne Magnuson | President
Musician, small business owner, community builder, activist, rock and roller, born in a crossfire hurricane.
Christa Franks | Vice President
Christa is a newer Trinidad transplant, coming from a background in stage and music performance. Now the owner of Trinidad Tea Co, she is a garden consultant, Registered Herbalist, herbal community builder, a member of the Trinidad Farmers Market board, and cheerleader for all good things happening in Trinidad.
Hannah Withers | Secretary
Hannah Withers is a small business owner, event producer, and downtown wrangler from Fayetteville, Arkansas. She’s spent the last 25 years loving and leading multiple bars and restaurants, and moved to Trinidad in 2021.
Keely Williams | Treasurer
Keely Williams moved to Trinidad after two decades in New Orleans and abroad. She is an architect, real estate developer, historic preservationist, urban planner, and hotelier. When she’s not covered in dust and fixing up old buildings, she’s a perpetual student of design, hospitality, language and travel. Her favorite architect is Oscar Niemeyer.
Curtis Wallach
Owner of Trinidad Lounge in Trinidad, CO and Hi-Dive in Denver, CO. Musician and music advocate. Big time Bruce Springsteen fan, especially ‘Darkness’-era.
Lou Simpleman
Louis Simpleman was born and raised in Trinidad, CO where he graduated from Holy Trinity in 1959 before leaving for Annapolis, MD to attend the U. S. Naval Academy. He served in the United States Marine Corps for twenty-seven years. After his retirement, Louis formed a consulting company and worked twenty-five years for the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), a federally funded non-profit think tank that provides independent analyses of national security. Louis and his wife, Jo Ann, returned to their hometown in 2001 to be among friends and family. He is involved in volunteer work dedicated to the community’s quality of life in the areas Health and Wellness, Recreation, Historical Preservation, Education, and Communications.
Jo Ann Simpleman
Jo Ann was born in Sopris, Colorado and attended school in Trinidad until graduating from Holy Trinity in 1959. A scholarship took her to Saint Mary Corwin where she studied to become a Registered Nurse. While continuously working in her chosen profession, she married Louis Simpleman USMC and raised two children. The culmination of her career was her time at the Pentagon where she was the Department Head of Allergy, Immunology, and Travel Medicine that cared for the 25,000 “inhabitants” of the Pentagon. After returning to Trinidad in 2001, she was a coordinator for the last disaster exercise conducted in Las Animas County and has dedicated her time and talents to the Mount San Rafael Patient and Family Advisory Committee, the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) and the Trinidad Community Foundation.
Jerry Campbell
Jerry is a Colorado native, born and raised in Pueblo and moved to Trinidad in 1977. He and his wife Camilla were owner/operators of Costa Lines, Inc., a local cartage company for over 20 years. Jerry then became involved in real estate and currently works as a licensed real estate appraiser. In 1999, Jerry also became involved with Trinidaddio Blues Fest and in 2009 created Trinidaddio Blues Fest 501c3, and was its Chairman and Executive Director of the event until its final show in 2022. Since 1999, the annual, end-of-summer festival was the largest event and brought more out of town visitors to Trinidad than any other.
Jerry and his wife Camilla, own Curly’s Beads & Gifts and Sister Blandina Gift Shoppe in Trinidad. Jerry is also owner of Campbell Designs of Trinidad providing graphic design and print production services.Jerry and Camilla both spend as much time as possible with daughter, Sarah, son-in-law, Lucas and granddaughter, Londyn.
Cody Kuehl
I am a western artist who spends most of my time up North with my wife and two kids in Longmont. I'm a western artist who also owns Kuehl Fine Art inside the Mitchell Museum in town here. I am on the board of the A.R. Mitchell Museum as well as the Fox West Board.
Dora Silver
I am a native of Colorado where I have raised my family. While in Denver I opened a vintage clothing store and a antique mall before getting into real estate for the last 26 years. I have been in Trinidad for four years now and love it! So excited about the preservation of the Fox West! My motto, Be a part of something worth preserving no matter the challenges!
Claudia Croy
I’m Claudia Croy from Denver, Colorado. I thoroughly enjoy music and have attended many concerts over the years. I frequented many of the old theater venues in Denver and Boulder. Unfortunately, most were not well preserved. I have a deep admiration for the Fox West Theater and I believe it will be a wonderful and unique addition to our little town of Trinidad. It is so beautiful!
Paul Croy
Retired gentleman of leisure. Dapper man about town. Patron of the arts. Amature historian. Collector of oddities and curiosities. Picker, Scrounger, Repurposer. Maker of things exotic and mundane.
Jeff Montoya
Jeff Montoya, a Trinidad, Colorado native, is the owner and creative director of Picketwire Media, a multimedia production company. A passionate filmmaker, Jeff’s love for cinema began in 1988 when he first saw a film at the historic Fox West Theatre, sparking a life-long obsession with film. After returning to Trinidad in 2022, Jeff has become deeply involved in the community’s cultural scene. In addition to his work in media, Jeff is a local musician, performing alongside his wife Sam in their acoustic duo, Rosin & Rust. Jeff is thrilled to contribute to the ongoing restoration efforts of the Fox West Theatre.
Statement of Diversity and Inclusion
The Fox West Theatre Alliance is committed to diversity and inclusion in all its decision-making to ensure arts, culture, and creativity can be accessed and enjoyed by all Trinidad residents and visitors. This will be achieved if people of all races, gender, income, sexual orientation, age, abilities, or national origin feel a sense of belonging when they enter the doors to the Fox West Theatre. We aim to achieve this through community engagement that brings people of all backgrounds to the table. The results will be seen in a diverse board of directors, acts and programming that are wide reaching, and staff and volunteers that are welcoming.
Access Policy
The Fox West Theatre Alliance is committed to sharing the theatre and its spaces with the general public. At this time, we are unable to facilitate access as the building lacks restroom facilities and ADA accommodations. We encourage all to visit the theatre virtually via our YouTube page, where extensive tours of the building are available. The Fox West Theatre is owned by the City of Trinidad and operated by the Fox West Theatre Alliance, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. For more information, please visit foxwesttheatre.com