Every February, Colorado Preservation Inc. (CPI) releases their annual list of Colorado’s Most Endangered Places. The program brings awareness to historic buildings, landscapes, or archaeological sites around Colorado that are in danger of demolition, neglect, modification, or development. This year’s endangered places, highlighting the history of southern Colorado, are: Adobe Potato Cellars of the San […]
Safety, walkability, transportation, and aesthetic design are all important components of planning a downtown commercial area, whether in a large city or a small town. Downtowns and “Main Streets” can, if well planned, boost tourism and enhance quality of life for residents. Therefore the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the Colorado Department of Public Health […]
If you’re the proud owner of a historic property, or if there’s a particular building that speaks to you, you may be interested in finding more about its history. Who lived in your house and what were their stories? Or, what were the previous uses of your commercial or public building? If you’re wondering how […]
Over the last few months you may have read the news articles about the proposed development of Larimer Square, Denver’s first designated historic district. This week, it was back in the news when the National Trust for Historic Preservation added Larimer Square to its annual list of “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.” For the […]
All this month communities across the nation are celebrating their unique places and stories. What events are happening in Colorado? Check out History Colorado’s list of Preservation Month events, including tours, lectures, festivals, workshops, and more. Our library receives lots of questions about historic preservation in Colorado. Some of the most frequently asked questions include: […]
Petroglyphs in Mesa Verde National Park. If you are exploring the rural areas of western Colorado you may see some examples of rock art created by prehistoric cultures. According to the Colorado Historical Society’s 1984 publication Northwest Colorado Prehistoric Context, “rock art sites are of two types: pictograph and petroglyphs. Rock art panels can range […]
What are the hidden stories behind the buildings in your community? How can you determine which ones should be preserved as part of your community’s heritage? One of the tools that historic preservationists use to answer these questions is the historic survey. Surveying historic properties can mean anything from what is known as the “windshield […]
This month’s Colorado Heritage magazine contains a Q & A about historic preservation tax credits in Colorado. These credits, both state and federal, are designed to encourage property owners to repair, renovate, and preserve historic buildings by helping them save money on their taxes. In our library we have a number of resources that explain […]
In 2014 the Colorado Legislature passed HB14-1311, the “Colorado Job Creation and Main Street Revitalization Act,” which provided tax credits for Colorado communities to use to boost economic development — including job creation and tourism — while preserving the community’s unique historic commercial structures. So how has it been doing so far? According to the Colorado […]
If you’re headed to the mountains this summer and are looking for some interesting history, stop in Georgetown — right off I-70 — and tour the Hotel de Paris. The hotel’s founder, Louis Dupuy, was born in France and arrived in Denver in 1869. He opened the hotel in 1875, and from that year until […]
The Colorado governor’s mansion, officially named the Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion, is the “White House” of Colorado. It is the official residence for Colorado governors as well as the site of many official state functions. (Where it differs from the White House, however, is that the governor does not have his office there […]
The Capitol Dome is again being revealed as the scaffolding has been slowly removed over the past several months. So what was this project all about, and what will be the final result? The Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration, who is overseeing the restoration, has issued this Fact Sheet, which includes a brief description of […]
The month of May has been designated as Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month to bring awareness to the importance of preserving the past for the future. Many events will take place throughout the month to celebrate our historic places. For background information on Archaeology & Historic Preservation Month and a list of events, see this webpage […]
What’s the connection between rockfall mitigation and historic preservation? The Colorado Dept. of Transportation explains in a fascinating 10-minute video, Force of Nature: Passage and Preservation from Georgetown to Silver Plume. Most of us have driven I-70 near Georgetown and seen the signs warning of falling rock. The video explains how CDOT engineers are developing systems to protect […]
Yesterday’s newspaper ran a story about original wall stenciling that has been uncovered in the House and Senate Chambers of the Colorado State Capitol. The original designs, done in red in the Senate and green in the House to match the chambers’ traditional colors, have been covered by acoustic tiles since the 1950s. Uncovering the stenciling gives Coloradans a chance to see how […]
Recently Governor Hickenlooper announced that Trinidad has been added to the list of communities participating in the Main Street Program. With the addition of Trinidad, there are now 13 communities across Colorado participating in the program. According to the Governor’s Office, The Main Street® Program helps to revitalize downtown districts leveraging historic preservation. The program […]
Did you know that if you own a historic building, you own an economic asset? Studies have proven that the preservation of historic structures is directly linked to a stronger economy. Historic places attract tourists, encourage investment in community, promote sustainability, and can provide owners with state and federal tax credits. It’s all outlined in a new recent study […]
Colorado’s scenery isn’t the only reason visitors choose to vacation here. Colorado also has a rich history and “heritage tourism” is an important part of Colorado’s tourism economy. Not only do out-of-state visitors come for the well-known historic attractions like Mesa Verde and Bent’s Old Fort, but Colorado residents also spend a lot of time […]
If you’ve been downtown recently you’ve probably noticed that the Colorado State Capitol Building’s dome is wrapped with scaffolding under a large white cover. It’s all part of restoration work that is going on to help restore and stabilize the dome of Colorado’s most important building. Funding for the project is coming from the State […]
Do you own an old house? Do you want it to faithfully evoke the era in which it was built? If yes, our library has a unexpectedly great resource – the Paint Your Vintage House workbook. This was actually the workbook from a CU-Colorado Springs workshop, but you didn’t need to take the class to […]
Exciting news for Denver: Civic Center has been recommended by the U.S. Department of the Interior to become a National Historic Landmark! This is a prestigious honor for historic sites in the U.S. – according to the official announcement, if designated, “Civic Center would join a list of some of the most iconic, treasured and historically […]