Contact Information Contact Information
- Historic Preservation Staff
- cHJlc2VydmF0aW9uQGZjZ292LmNvbQ==
- 970.224.6078
2019 Friends of Preservation Awards Ceremony!
Preserving Fort Collins' unique historic treasures is a team effort. Every year, the City's Landmarks Preservation Commission recognizes members of the community, project leaders, and design professionals for their work to preserve historic resources in Fort Collins' with the Friends of Preservation Awards. Members of the public who would like to attend the reception and awards ceremony on September 3rd are encouraged to RSVP by contacting Maren Bzdek at bWJ6ZGVrQGZjZ292LmNvbQ== or 970.221.6206.
Reception: September 3, 4:30-5:30 p.m., CIC Room, City Hall, 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins
Ceremony: September 3, 5:30 p.m., City Hall, 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins
Snapshots and Surveys
Historic Preservation Services is currently contacting landmark property owners to provide you with information about the benefits and services we offer. The Preservation team is also taking updated photographs of all designated historic properties to update our records. (Not sure if your house is “historic?” Find out here!) We are giving each landmark property owner a packet of information about financial incentives and about their specific building’s history and architecture.
Financial incentives and services available to Fort Collins’s designated historic properties include Colorado State Tax Credits for Preservation, Fort Collins’s Landmark Rehab Zero-Percent Interest Loan Program, the Design Assistance Program, and free professional advice. There are additional incentives available for commercial or non-profit companies including State Historical Fund Grants, Historic Structure Assessment Grants, Colorado Historical Foundation Loan, and Federal Tax Credits for Historic Preservation. Find out more about financial incentives for historic properties.
We want to make sure all historic property owners have the same opportunity to take advantage of the financial benefits and services we offer! Please take a moment to fill out our brief survey to update your contact information. Thank you!
Historic Preservation at a Glance
Historic Preservation Map: Historic Preservation has a new map available through FCMaps. This map lays out survey data and properties that are currently under review. The survey data displayed is only a portion of what we have on file, so please still call and check with us about the eligibility or if you need more information about a specific property.
Demolition Notification Process: There is a new notification process for proposed demolitions.This is not the same demolition/alteration review process you might have previously encountered. The proposed demolitions will be posted on our website and in the This Week in Development Review newsletter. Please contact staff at cHJlc2VydmF0aW9uQGZjZ292LmNvbQ== with any questions.
Understanding the Cost of Repair versus Replacement: The Fort Collins Historic Preservation Division worked with noted preservationist Bob Yapp to produce the new cost calculator tool. This tool helps homeowners and commercial property owners explore the cost difference and longevity of products against each other with a place to input their actual dimensions. These prices are local to the area! Check out the tool before replacing windows, doors, siding, or trim.
National Trust for Historic Preservation Blog features Fort Collins
From Dilapidated to Delectable: The Feeder Supply building after rehabilitation.
Ginger and Baker and Vaught Frye Larson Aronson Architects are now featured on the National Trust for Historic Preservation blog for their project at the historic Feeder Supply Building! They were the recipients of the 2018 Friend of Preservation Award for Outstanding Rehabilitation and Adaptive Reuse for this project. Check out the details of their project turning a vacant, historic building into a thriving business in downtown Fort Collins.
What Is Historic Preservation?
Our mission is to protect, enhance, and preserve Fort Collins’ significant historical, architectural and geographical heritage in order to advance the economic, cultural and environmental qualities of the city.
Fort Collins has over 1,800 Fort Collins Landmarks and five Landmark Districts. A Fort Collins Landmark is a site, building, structure or object. Landmark Districts are a specific group of homes and outbuildings united by past events or people, or by architecture and physical development. Fort Collins Landmarks and Landmark Districts are officially recognized by City Council.
We collaborate with citizens, developers, and staff, participating in key community planning and development projects affecting over 10,000 historic and cultural resources in Fort Collins. New construction, and the demolition or alteration of existing buildings, and design review of Fort Collins Landmarks are reviewed for their effects on neighborhood and community character.
Good design and rehabilitation of historic homes and businesses is encouraged through a large number of financial incentive programs. The Historic Preservation Office has also undertaken over 70 historic preservation grants, translating into over $21,000,000.00 in direct and indirect revenue.
We offer advice on how to maintain your property, fix and repair features, and restore features back to the original condition. We want you to connect with your property’s history and provide the steps how to research your property. Discover more about Fort Collins’ history through research projects including historical contexts, survey reports, and development grants.
Historic, Designated, Or Just Old?
The Historic Preservation Office leverages grant funding with program funding to conduct neighborhood historical contexts and survey reports of historic neighborhoods and responds to building permits and development review.
- Fort Collins Landmarks are significant, retain integrity, and are recognized by City Ordinance or officially listed on the State or National Register – they are “designated.”
- Eligible properties are significant, retain integrity, but are not officially listed – they are “historic.”
- Ineligible properties are not significant, and/or do not retain integrity, and do not qualify for listing – they are “just old.”
Why do we care so much? The review requirements of local preservation ordinances are one of the best forms of protection for Fort Collins’ sense of place and the associated incentives are important for property owners.
Historic Preservation And Sustainability
Good for the Community – Fort Collins Landmarks and Landmark Districts help property owners act not only as owners but as stewards of history. Fort Collins Landmarks and Landmark districts contribute to Fort Collins’ sense of place.
Good for the Environment – Reusing historic buildings is recycling the built environment. Historic buildings have embodied energy, and by reusing them, we keep useful materials out of our dump and reduce carbon emissions. We provide resources and tips on how to make your property more energy efficient.
Good for the Economy – Fort Collins Landmarks and Landmark Districts give property owners more confidence in the long-term stability of the neighborhood -- which means they’re more likely to make investments in their property to the benefit of the entire community.