Northwest Colorado residents make transition to new work after coal industry careers
Craig native Clint Malvitz, a coal mining equipment operator for more than 20 years, loves where he lives and does not want to leave the Yampa Valley.
“Coal mines are slowing down extremely,” said 44-year-old Malvitz. “If I want to stay, I need to broaden the horizons. To stay in the valley, I need to make a decision on what’s going to be best for my family and community.”
Malvitz’s wife, Rachel, has lived in Craig for 20 years. The couple has raised three children. He currently works running equipment such as an electric shovel and hydraulic excavator at Colowyo Mine located between Craig and Meeker, and he previously worked at Trapper Mine in Moffat County. But, later this month, he is moving on.“I don’t want to be struggling to find jobs with hundreds of others people looking for the same kind of job opportunity,” Malvitz said.
With his wife, an experienced bookkeeping manager, the couple is leaping into the business world as co-owners of the 5,500-square-foot RC Pro Appliances store opening in mid-March in Craig.
“The opportunity presented itself to become an entrepreneur, and we decided to jump in,” Malvitz said.
The greater Yampa Valley region has six official coal transition facilities, as classified by the Colorado Office of Just Transition, including Twentymile Mine and Hayden Station in Routt County, Trapper and Colowyo coal mines and Craig Station in Moffat County, and Deserado Mine in Rio Blanco County.
The coal-powered plants in Hayden and Craig are scheduled to close or begin conversion to other operations by the end of 2028, and the closing dates of the mines are projected to tie to the power stations they supply.
