The preservation programs of the Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (OAHP) and the State Historical Fund (SHF) are at the heart of History Colorado’s mission to engage Coloradans in discovering, preserving, and taking pride in our architectural and archaeological heritage by providing statewide leadership and support in preserving the places that make Colorado unique.
In order to facilitate Federal and State Compliance projects during the current COVID-19 shut down, the OAHP is recommending that site forms, survey reports, and GIS shapefiles, be submitted digitally. For more information, please visit our Submitting your Data to Preservation Programs page.
The State Archaeologist's duties and responsibilities include the investigation of impacts to archaeological resources and response to questions for technical and administrative assistance.
The Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification (PAAC) is a mutually beneficial educational program for avocational and professional archaeologists. Established in 1978 by the Colorado Archaeological Society (CAS) and the Office of the State Archaeologist of Colorado (OSAC), it allows CAS members and other citizens to obtain formally recognized levels of expertise outside of an academic degree program.
The Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (OAHP) assists property owners in listing Colorado’s most historically and architecturally significant buildings, structures, and sites in the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties.
History Colorado’s Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation is renewing the statewide action plan for historic preservation, and inviting the public to collaborate in drafting the upcoming 2030 Statewide Preservation Plan.
When a federal agency funds, licenses or permits an activity that may affect cultural resources, the agency must consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer. This is known as Section 106 review or consultation.
In order to facilitate Federal and State Compliance projects during the current COVID-19 shut down, the OAHP is recommending that site forms, survey reports, and GIS shapefiles, be submitted digitally. For more information, please visit our Submitting your Data to Preservation Programs page.
In July 2015, the state of Colorado offered a new tax credit for the rehabilitation of qualified historic buildings. This credit expands and improves upon the original rehabilitation tax credit that has been on the books since 1990.
The State Historical Fund was created by the 1990 constitutional amendment allowing limited gaming in the towns of Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. The amendment directs that a portion of the gaming tax revenues be used for historic preservation throughout the state.
Across the nation, family farms and ranches, historic barns and other agricultural sites are disappearing at an alarming rate. In Colorado, the family farm and working cattle ranch serve as a reminder of how the West was settled.
The contributions of Colorado's ranching and farming families have withstood the pressures of growth, changes in farming methods, drought, and economic conditions to preserve these important pieces of our state's commercial and cultural history.
Drill down to research and learn more about specific topics in Colorado history and prehistory. Learn more about our avocational archaeology classes (PAAC), preservation, collections and your own history through classes and resources available from History Colorado.
Compass is provided by the Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP) in an effort to provide qualified individuals with access to much of the data available from the main OAHP cultural resource database.
In order to facilitate Federal and State Compliance projects during the current COVID-19 shut down, the OAHP is recommending that site forms, survey reports, and GIS shapefiles, be submitted digitally. For more information, please visit our Submitting your Data to Preservation Programs page.
