
Tracie Holcomb, the owner of Catacombs Fitness Collective in Durango, Colorado, has continually sought ways to enhance her gym’s role as a community cornerstone.
“Our motto is fitness and community,” says Tracie. “We think if people have a safe space where their friends are, where it’s a fun place to come, then it sets them up to come here more consistently, create good social connections, as well as the physical benefits and mental health benefits of working out.”
Living up to this motto is something Tracie has committed to throughout the ten years she’s owned the business. Catacombs Fitness Collective started out in a small space close to Fort Lewis College, up the hill from Durango’s downtown area. After just two years, she outgrew the space and found a perfect opportunity to purchase a historic building on Main Ave.
The building was in disrepair and about 120 years old. It need attention, but it also needed someone with community at heart.
“The previous owners really wanted it to go to a local family that was trying to make something work here,” Tracie says, “So that’s how we got here!”
The business moved in, and the clientele grew. Tracie found the building’s design and location across from a city park to fit the spirit of what she was working to establish. When COVID restrictions forced many gyms to cut business back, she found an opportunity to continue operations by using her parking lot area as overflow workout space.
“What we discovered is that people actually really love that, and particularly in an outdoor community like Durango, people really love to be able to work out outside.”
In 2021 she started building out this outdoor space with the options to close off a portion in harsh weather. Still, by and large this former parking lot is now an open, airy, healthy environment where everyone from their youngest clientele to their oldest, wants to spend time. Tracie worked with the city to make the corner of her lot more of a community gathering space where people feel comfortable stopping by to each their lunch or chat with friends.
For the next phase of improvements, in early 2024 Tracie worked with a local solar installer to secure and install solar panels, a project supported by USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Originally the idea was brought to her by members of the gym. After thinking about it, it seemed logical to use southern Colorado’s sunny skies and take advantage of that abundant natural resource.

Due to Durango’s location and weather, the gym uses significantly more energy in the winter than in the summer, but considering all factors, Tracie figures, “We’re going to use this energy no matter what, and if we can find a way to feel better about it, and there’s some economic benefit to us down the line, then it just made sense.”
Tracie says that adding solar “feels like it’s something that’s really in line with our values” of community health and sustainability, and over time will free up additional finances to continue supporting her staff and Durango as a whole.
Catacombs Fitness Collective frequently gives back. Tracie is proud to say the gym sponsors the local youth mountain bike organization, donates coaching time and memberships, and engages is many other ways to show how important it is to stay healthy and care for your neighbors.
“I feel like the solar piece is just kind of another part of that story, which is, we want to be good stewards of the community, and in the community.”