Friend of Preservation Awards#
Established in 1985, the Friend of Preservation awards are the highest preservation honor given by the Historic Preservation Commission. Annually, the awards are given to a person, organization, or project for exemplary work in local history, preservation, rehabilitation, restoration or reconstruction done over the past year.
The Mayor and Historic Preservation Commission Chair present the City's Friend of Preservation Awards for excellence in historic preservation before a regular City Council meeting at 300 Laporte Avenue.
2023 Honorees#
On May 2, 2023, the Fort Collins Historic Preservation Commission, with City Council, recognized the contributions of four individuals for their contributions to preservation and local history during a reception and awards ceremony. View photos and learn more about each awardee below. Congratulations, and thank you!

Friend of Preservation Awards Reception

Friend of Preservation Awards Reception

Friend of Preservation Awards Reception

Friend of Preservation Award Blocks

Mayor Jeni Arndt and HPC Chair Kurt Knierim introduced the Friend of Preservation Awards

D.L. Roberts and HPC Chair Kurt Knierim

Rose Brinks and HPC Chair Kurt Knierim

Kim Medina and HPC Chair Kurt Knierim

Meg Dunn and HPC Chair Kurt Knierim

All of the 2023 Friends of Preservation with HPC Chair Kurt Knierim

D.L. Roberts
Outstanding Contributions to Historic Preservation
D.L. Roberts is one of the original founders of what would become Historic Larimer County, formerly served as president of the organization, and remains on its board. He has demonstrated time and again his dedication to historic preservation and conservation, through his work to save and preserve the Franz-Smith Cabin and his 150 year old family ranch, as just a couple of examples.

Rose Brinks
Preservation of the Provost Farm & the Bingham Hill Cemetery
Rose Brinks has embodied the word “stewardship” for decades. Rose, with her husband, Jim, purchased the Provost Farm in 1977. Rose’s dedication to uncovering and preserving the history of both her farm property and the Bingham Hill Cemetery, which previously had no burial records, should truly be celebrated.

Kim Medina
Landmarking and Rehabilitation of 308 Cherry St. & 129 N. McKinley Ave.
Kim Medina has demonstrated exceptional dedication to historic preservation and adaptive reuse, as reflected through her care and rehabilitation of two valuable historic resources in our community. The Thomas House (308 Cherry St.) is the first Landmark in Fort Collins to recognize Black history in the city, and the Struble House (129 N. McKinley Ave.) recognizes the importance of working people to building Fort Collins and specifically Lois Struble.

Meg Dunn
Outstanding Contributions to Historic Preservation
Meg Dunn's name has become synonymous with historic preservation in Larimer County in the last twenty years. As a former educator, Meg has been an important voice for historic places and stories for decades, such as through her Northern Colorado History website. She also served on the Historic Preservation Commission for 9 years, serving as chair for 5 years, helping the community more deeply understand the role of preservation in climate change, affordability, and much more.
2022 Honorees#

John Albright
Lifetime Achievement Award
This posthumous award for John Albright honors his dedication to teaching and preservation. He lived and taught with purpose, leaving a legacy not only in the preservation community in Fort Collins but also nationally and internationally.

Wayne Sundberg
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award honors Wayne Sundberg's commitment to education and local history. In addition to his written works on local history, such as his book on the Fort Collins Waterworks, Mr. Sundberg served on the Historic Preservation Commission when it was in its infancy.

Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society
Restoration of Car #25
This award is to recognize the Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society's significant efforts to restore Birney Car #25. The streetcar system is a very visible and beloved part of the Fort Collins historical landscape that brings joy to residents and visitors alike.

Brian Carroll
Accomplishments in Local History
This award recognizes Brian Carroll for his contributions to local history. Mr. Carroll has been pivotal in identifying and honoring soldiers that died at the original fort site for Fort Collins. His biography of William O. Collins has become an invaluable addition to our local history canon.
2019 Honorees#

Landmark Designation and Preservation of Historic Resources
Susan Hoskinson
The McMillen-Patterson Property

Outstanding Dedication to Preserving Historic Resources
City of Fort Collins Recreation Department
City of Fort Collins Parks Department
Ethan Cozzens
Empire Carpentry
Poudre Heritage Alliance
The Ross Proving-Up House

Exceptional Contributions to Historic Preservation
Myrne Watrous

Superior Infill Development Project
Bohemian Companies
4240 Architecture
The Elizabeth Hotel
2018 Honorees#

Outstanding Dedication to Preserving Local History
Doug Ernest

Renewing the Heart of Our Premier Historic District
Downtown Development Authority

Outstanding Rehabilitation and Adaptive Reuse of the Feeder Supply Building
Ginger & Baker

Outstanding Dedication to Preserving Local History
S.O.S. - Save Our Silos

Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation
Bud Frick
2017 Honorees#

Outstanding Rehabilitation/Adaptive Reuse
Bohemian Companies - The Music District

Outstanding Interpretation and Documentation
City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department - Great Western Sugar Company Flume and Bridge

Outstanding Dedication to Historic Preservation
Ron Sladek

Outstanding Dedication to Preserving Local History
Gordon "Hap" Hazard
2016 Honorees#

Outstanding Restoration and Rehabilitation
James MacDowell

Outstanding Restoration and Rehabilitation
March, Olive & Pharris, LLC

Outstanding Rehabilitation of an Endangered Farmstead
Bucking Horse

Superior Infill Development Project
Blue Ocean Enterprises
2015 Honorees#

Outstanding Adaptive Reuse
Colleen Scholz

Outstanding Rehabilitation
Jim Kelly and Betsy Markey

Outstanding Dedication to Historic Preservation
Mike Gebo

Outstanding Dedication to Historic Preservation
Bellvue Historic Foundation
Past Recipients#
A list of all award recipients from 1985 to 2014.