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Boulder County Historic Preservation Program Background
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The impetus for historic preservation in Boulder County was the passage
of HB 1041 by the Colorado State Legislature in 1974. Among other provisions, it gave local
governments authority to designate and regulate historic and archaeological areas of statewide
interest. |
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In March of 1975, the Parks and Open Space Department's first directory,
Libby Goodwin, responded to the County Bicentennial Commission's request for projects by
suggesting, "a program which identifies and designates scenic, historic, archaeological,
geologic, vegetative, and other landmarks...". |
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In September 1976, R. Michael Collard began the first of a series of
historic site inventories in unincorporated Boulder County. His working site
list was expanded upon by Robert G. Rosenberg in May 1977, when a
detailed inventory of sites west of the foothills was completed. Kathy
Engels began, but never completed, a similar detailed inventory of the
plains area of the county in 1978. After receiving a substantial grant
from the federal government in 1981, a fairly extensive historic sites
inventory was completed by Manuel Weiss which documented sites
throughout the unincorporated area of Boulder County. In 1994, Carl
McWilliams began a comprehensive survey of over 4,000 sites that are
over 50 years old. |
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This survey project has been funded, in large part,
by grants from the Colorado Historic Preservation Fund. |
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In 1990, a group of citizens concerned about the loss of cultural
resources in the county, approached the Boulder County Commissioners with a request to develop
a formal historic preservation program. In May 1991, a Request for Proposal was sent to a
dozen consultants that specialized in the development of Historic Preservation programs. Urban
Prospects, a Dallas, TX firm, was chosen to review existing county efforts, develop a menu of
possible program scenarios, conduct a public forum for issues identification and consensus,
and draft recommendations for a comprehensive program. |
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On December 17, 1991, the Board of County Commissioners approved an
amendment to the Zoning Resolution which required a permit for demolition, remodel, or other
alteration of structures 50 years of age and older. Issuance of such a permit could be delayed
for up to 120 days for discussion of preservation options. |
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Boulder County's program officially began on September 22, 1992 and the
first Historic Preservation Advisory Board meeting was held in January 1993. |
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The goals and strategies originally outlined in 1992 include: Research and Evaluation
- Create and maintain a historic and prehistoric database;
- Recommend designation of landmarks and districts;
- Recommend deletions from the landmark list as situations change;
- Recommend/prepare State and National Register nominations;
- Prepare historic structures reports.
Education
- Create publications, maps, and brochures on the historic preservation
program and benefits of preservation to private landowners;
- Conduct programs, classes on preservation, and special events promos;
- Implement a historic sites signage/marker program;
- Create a recognition program for landmarked properties;
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Act as an information source for assistance in restoration and rehab projects;
- Endorse and/or prepare exhibits/displays;
- Make survey information available to the general public.
Stewardship
- Consider accepting gifts of real property such as landmarks, sites,
buildings, or easements;
- Ensure that gifts of artifacts and collections would include proper
documentation, care, and storage.
Financial
- Organize a conservation fund for accepting donations;
- Administer grants;
- Budget for program needs;
- Engage in fund-raising;
- Provide landmarking incentives.
Administrative
- Staff the Historic Preservation Advisory Board;
- Pursue intergovernmental agreements with other communities in Boulder
County who are not CLGs;
- Review State and National Register applications for properties in
Boulder County;
- Review grant applications under the State Historic Fund;
- Engage in contracts with consultants as needed.
Planning
- Continue strategic and comprehensive preservation planning.
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Denise Grimm: Boulder County Land Use Department
Phone: (303) 441-3930 Fax: (303) 441-4856
Email: dgrimm @ bouldercounty.org |
Rich Koopmann: Boulder County Parks and Open
Space
Phone: (303) 516-9359
Email: rkoopmann @ bouldercounty.org |
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