The first mass exodus of Tigrayans occurred in the 1970s-1980s because of genocide, manmade famine, extreme violence and marginalization by the communist Ethiopian Federal Government. Many of those refugees were resettled in Colorado – making the state today one of the largest concentration of Tigrayans, estimated at half of the 50,000 people in the local community.

The Tigrai Community of Colorado was founded in 1993 to support Tigrayans who were lost in an unfamiliar country and culture. The first generation Tigrayans faced language, culture and discriminatory issues that made it difficult to reestablish their lives. Tigrayans quickly organized to support their social, education and economic needs. The Community plays a significant role with Tigrayan children and young adults who struggle navigating two worlds simultaneously. These young people at times found themselves stuck in the criminal justice system with no advocates, in school systems with no support and easily falling prey to drugs and other violence.

Tigrai Community of Colorado

Building the Tigrai Community Center

Recurring Donations