Nearly 200 will lose jobs as two businesses announce closures

Bluprint, a subscription online service focused on crafts and entertainment, is permanently closing and laying off 137 employees.

The Denver-based company, formerly named Craftsy Unlimited, was bought by NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment in 2018 and promoted as a digital service offering crafts classes and original content. In a letter on the website, CEO John Levisay said Bluprint will close operations over the next few months.

The company is looking at allowing people who bought individual classes to receive copies and issuing prorated refunds to subscribers, Levisay said. In a notice to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Bluprint said layoffs will begin around July 22 and continue until the offices are closed, expected at the end of August.

Craftsy, which started in 2011, was seen as a leader among Denver’s tech startups. It featured online classes in cooking, quilting and knitting as well as entertainment series.

Group Publishing Inc., based in Loveland, has also let state officials know that it is closing for good. Sixty-two people will lose their jobs.

The company produces publications for churches across the county. The main materials are for vacation Bible schools.

The coronavirus pandemic “and related government actions” led to a serious downturn in business, the company said in a letter to the state labor department. Most churches have canceled their summer programs, Group Publishing said.

Layoffs will start July 1.

Judith Kohler: jkohler@denverpost.com or @JudithKohler