Overview of this Report
This report continues a longstanding study of a wide range of preservation’s benefits. This 2017 edition has been funded by History Colorado and led by Colorado Preservation, Inc., and Clarion Associates. The pages that follow identify and celebrate major themes that exemplify preservation in Colorado, including its collaborative nature, its statewide breadth and scope, and its ever-changing nature to meet new challenges and evolving trends. Following this Introduction, the report looks with a new, updated perspective at historic preservation in Colorado, finishing with a number of helpful tips and resources:
PRESERVATION TODAY: The 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 offers a chance to look back and celebrate the many legacies and accomplishments of Colorado preservation over the past half-century, particularly the substantial economic benefits that have accrued to the state and local communities. This section provides a comprehensive review of the key sections addressed in prior versions of this study:
- In “Preserving Place,” the report looks at the direct and indirect economic benefits of preserving individual buildings throughout Colorado, focusing on three major programs: the State Historical Fund and the federal and state rehabilitation tax credits.
- In “Preserving Our Communities,” the report widens its view to examine major programs that bring economic benefits to our neighborhoods and communities. After first looking at the substantial accomplishments of the Colorado Main Street program, the report revisits and updates a multi-year review of property values in locally-designated historic districts.
- In “Celebrating Colorado,” the perspective broadens further to look at the statewide economic benefits from historic preservation, particularly in terms of heritage tourism and Colorado-specific programs like Scenic and Historic Byways.
PRESERVATION TOMORROW: Moving beyond strictly economic benefits, this section looks ahead at the ways in which Colorado’s people and places are expected to change over the next 50 years and beyond, and how historic preservation is adapting to play an important role in a wide range of fascinating ways. Topics covered include:
- Changing Demographics. Our state’s population is becoming more diverse, and preservation is helping to meet the needs of Colorado’s growing senior and millennial populations, multigenerational households, immigrant populations, and renter households.
- Changing Economy. Larger economic trends also are changing the ways in which Coloradans work, and preservation is providing new spaces for creative communities and co-working.
- Effective Placemaking. Preservation is playing a key role in helping communities of all sizes to create and sustain meaningful places.
- Changing Climate. Local officials are rethinking concepts like resiliency, and how historic resources can be protected in planning for hazards.
MOVING FORWARD: The final section focuses on implementation and provides helpful tips, ideas, and resources for communities, developers, non-profits, and others interested in preservation to move the ball forward on protecting historic resources, identifying and working with partners, selecting appropriate tools and strategies, and identifying available funding and technical assistance sources.