Certifying Your Local Government

The CLG Program provides a community a process to identify, preserve, and promote the historic places that tell their story and celebrate their identity as a unique and exciting place to live and visit. The program allows each community to decide what’s important to them and how to maintain and share what they find special.

CLG Program Overview

CLG Handbook

Benefits

Responsibilities

The CLG Program is a Federal Partnership with the State and Local Government with base requirements:

  • Enforce legislation for the designation and protection of historic properties.
  • Establish and maintain a qualified historic preservation commission.
  • Maintain a system of survey and identification of historic properties.
  • Provide for public participation in the local historic preservation program.

All CLGs in Colorado are required to conduct design review of alterations, relocation, and demolition of locally designated properties, although property owner compliance with the review may be mandatory or voluntary.

An annual report is required each November, and each CLG is evaluated by the State Historic Preservation Office every four years.

Certification Process

For certification, a packet with the following materials is due to History Colorado:

  • Local Government Certification Agreement
  • CLG Status Request, with historic preservation ordinance, design review information, list of preservation program priorities, and other required materials attached. 
  • Resolution passed by the governing body to become a CLG

Drafts of any of the required items can be submitted to History Colorado for review. Submission of a draft ordinance before completing the entire packet is recommended.

History Colorado has 30 days to review the application. Once approved by History Colorado, the certification packet is forwarded to the National Park Service (NPS) for final review and official certification. NPS has 45 days to review the certification packet.

Certification Materials

Guidance Materials