The residence was originally built as a private home in 1908 for railroad industrialist Walter Cheesman, who unfortunately died before the house was finished. In 1923 businessman Claude Boettcher bought the property from the Cheesmans, and upon Boettcher's death, the Boettcher Foundation offered the home to the State of Colorado as an executive residence. The Colorado Governor’s Residence has been open for Governor occupancy since the 1960s.

Founded in 2008, the Governor's Residence Preservation Fund (GRPF) is dedicated to the long-term preservation of the property so it can be enjoyed by Coloradans for generations. Today the building can function as both a private residence and as a historic site regularly open for public use. As “Colorado’s Home,” the Colorado Governor's Mansion is open for public tours and events. The residence welcomes over 15,000 guests annually, including national and international dignitaries, student groups, and members of the public.

The mansion’s 105-year-old walls, which give the stately property much of its character, are in dire need of rehabilitation and repair after a century of water infiltration, shifting and age.

SHF grant 14-01-012 was used to repair and rehabilitate a large portion of the mansion’s highly visible perimeter walls. Additionally, the grant funded repairs to the east porch and a coal chute to prevent further water damage to the basement.

The following year, with SHF grant 15-01-022, the Governor’s Residence Preservation Fund rehabilitated the walls and surrounding fence and structurally reinforced the wrought iron dome on the limestone gazebo, which was acquired during a European tour by the Boettchers.

Grants 16-01-014 and 17-01- assisted in further phases of rehabilitating the perimeter walls and fence.