For Immediate Release

Contact:
Elizabeth VanDyne, CO Maker Hub, elise@comakerhub.org, 303.854.4900
Steve Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, 303.807.1042


Making it Happen: the Maker Movement Makes Its Mark in Colorado
 
Through Maker Faires, factory tours and online resources, the Colorado Maker Hub announces its launch as a leading resource to educate and promote makers, inventors and creators of all types in thriving, tech-driven DIY culture.
 
Loveland, CO (April 16, 2015) — All across the country, from high-tech labs to garage workshops, the maker movement—a technology-based outgrowth of contemporary DIY culture—continues to create, build, innovate and, well, make. And with the formation of a new nonprofit organization, Colorado Maker Hub, based in Loveland, this revolution is making its mark in Colorado. 
 
Through Maker Faires, factory tours, and online resources atColoradoMakerHub.org, Colorado Maker Hub provides a community resource for makers to learn, get inspired, interact with other inventors, access tools and training, and market, exhibit, and show off their creations.
 
 
Imagine It, Build It, Share It
Working under the slogan “Imagine It, Build It, Share It,” the organization has built a strong base of collaborators across the Colorado and national maker community, creating opportunities for youth education and entrepreneurship, robotics, inventor business development, and more.
 
“We recognized the breadth of the maker community in the U.S. and in particular across Colorado, and the value of having an entity to connect and support its growth,” said Elizabeth “Elise” VanDyne, founder of Colorado Maker Hub and a seasoned nonprofit organizer and global business development strategist. 
 
“Since we started Colorado Maker Hub this past year, we’ve connected inventors with manufacturers, entrepreneurs with mentors, and educators with makers, all of which are resulting in greater capacity and knowledge to grow the maker ethos and expertise across the state,” she said. “Also, we’ve been able to provide opportunities for new businesses to test their products at our events, get feedback, connect with manufacturing and marketing partners, and find resources to build and market their creations,” VanDyne added.
 
Maker Faires Receive White House Support
This year, organizers at Colorado Maker Hub are excited to produce two leading events:  the Denver Mini Maker Faire, June 13-14, 2015, at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science; and the NoCo Mini Maker Faire, Oct. 11-12, 2015, at the Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology in Loveland. Both events are family-friendly showcases for creators of all ages, where people from tech enthusiasts and amateur inventors to garage tinkerers and emerging entrepreneurs show what they’re making—and share what they’re learning. The purpose of the Maker Faire is to inspire and connect a rich community of creativity, and help grow a vibrant local maker economy. 
 
The Denver Mini Maker Faire will coincide with the national Week of Making, established by the Obama Administration to mark the one-year anniversary of last year’s White House Maker Faire. The Week of Making is scheduled for June 12-18, and will coincide with the National Maker Faire in D.C., featuring makers from across the country. “Today’s DIY is tomorrow’sMade in America,” said President Obama in support of the maker movement.
 
Cultivating Youth Makers: The Next Generation
Colorado Maker Hub also collaborates with and promotes many programs and events geared toward young people, including Action-Works, Cool Girls Science and Art Club, Colorado TSA and other after-school programs that provide opportunities for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) learning across the Front Range. Recently, Colorado Maker Hub helped connect MIT’s Zero Robotics program with youth program leaders to bring their NASA program to Colorado’s kids.
 
About Colorado Maker Hub
Through Maker Faires, factory tours, and online resources atwww.comakerhub.org, Colorado Maker Hub provides a community resource for makers to learn, get inspired, interact with other inventors, access tools and training, and market, exhibit, and show off their creations. Working under the slogan “Imagine It, Build It, Share It,” the organization has built a strong base of collaborators across the Colorado and national maker community, creating opportunities for youth education and entrepreneurship, robotics, inventor business development, and more. Visit www.coloradomakerhub.org.
 
 

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