historic photo of people at Mesa Verde

Preserve

Preserve

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.

Help us update the Colorado Survey Manual  

History Colorado is seeking your input as we update our Cultural Resources Survey Manual. We hope to receive feedback from people who regularly complete surveys. The current survey manual contains a wealth of useful information but our goal is to create practical, meaningful, user-friendly guidance, that better reflects current technologies and more closely aligns with National Park Service guidance and Colorado Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation recommended practices.

Please help us by providing constructive feedback that helps identify who uses the current manual, how they use it, and which sections they find most or least useful.

Access the Cultural Resources Survey Manual

We appreciate your feedback and look forward to reviewing your comments. 

Archaeology

  • Office of the State Archaeologist

    The State Archaeologist's duties and responsibilities include the investigation of impacts to archaeological resources and response to questions for technical and administrative assistance.

  • Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification (PAAC)

    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.

State Preservation Services

  • National & State Registers

    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.

  • State Preservation Plan

    The Power of Heritage and Place: A 2020 Action Plan to Advance Preservation in Colorado is a statewide action plan that acts as a guide for the network of historic preservationists in Colorado for shared goals and strategies concerning preservation’s relevance to citizens, partners, and local municipalities.

  • Section 106 & State Register Act Review and Compliance

    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.

  • Survey & Inventory

    Surveys may involve the identification of historic homes in a residential area, the recording of commercial buildings in a downtown district, or the gathering of archaeological information in a remote portion of the state.  These surveys are often spurred by agencies or municipalities proposing federal, state, or local projects or undertaken by local governments and organizations to support preservation goals and activities such as design review, historic designation, or heritage tourism.  Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation and State Historical Fund staff is available to assist with the planning and documentation of these surveys.

  • Permits, Statutes & Regulations

    Links to permits, statutes and regulations grouped by archaeology, paleontology, unmarked graves and Section 106.

Grants & Financial Incentives

  • Certified Local Governments

    Colorado currently has 125 local governments with preservation ordinances; 64 (or 51%) of these are Certified Local Governments (CLGs).

  • Preservation Tax Credits

    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 new program creates two sources of financial incentives:

  • State Historical Fund

    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.

More

  • Centennial Farms & Ranches

    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.

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    Archaeology, History & Preservation Resources

    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.

  • Archaeology & Historic Preservation Events

    Learn about events around Colorado where you can celebrate our local and statewide archaeology and preservation heritage.

    Click here to see more events happening at our museums across the state.

  • Compass Information

    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.