Colorado coal mine to close up by end of year, will lay off 133 workers

DENVER (KDVR) — A Colorado mine in Moffat County will close its doors by Jan. 1, 2026, meaning over 130 workers will be without jobs.

The Colowyo Coal Company is located on Highway 13 in Meeker, where it was first established in 1977. According to the Meeker Chamber of Commerce, the mine has produced high-quality, low-sulfur coal that has been used to generate electricity for rural communities across the West.

The chamber said that about two million tons of coal have been extracted from the mine each year, supporting over 200 jobs and generating $200 million in economic activity for the northwestern Colorado community.

But by the end of the year, the mine will be transitioned into a reclamation phase after coal production has ceased. The mine, owned by Tri-State Generation and Transmiss