Press Release

History Colorado supports Colorado’s nonprofits, communities and historic places by awarding more than $3 million in State Historical Fund grants

Denver -  History Colorado is excited to announce the funding of 24 grants for historic preservation projects, totaling more than $3 million, through the State Historical Fund (SHF) grants program. These projects join grants that were awarded in June, August and December 2014 for a total of more than $8.3 million in grants for fiscal year 2015.

This grant round, projects include:

  • The archaeological study of historic Ute Trails in Eagle County, originally used by the Ute people as a link to important river crossings and seasonal destinations;
  • The rehabilitation of the Bonfils-Stanton Belmar Farm Caretaker’s Cottage, once a part of Denver Post heiress May Bonfils-Stanton’s estate in Lakewood;
  • The stabilization of the Sound Democrat Mill, an intact ore mill constructed in 1905 at an astonishing 12,000 feet in the heart of the San Juan Mountains;
  • The rehabilitation of the Huerfano County Courthouse and Jail that will return the interior to their original configuration and provide ADA access.

“This round of SHF funded projects really span the history of Colorado, including a classic 1903 one-room schoolhouse in Salida,” says Steve Turner, Director of the State Historical Fund, “as well as five projects that help preserve our agricultural history, including the 1885 Cozy Point Ranch barn in Aspen, one of the last in the area still being used as an agricultural building.”

Curious what’s been funded in your area? This winter, SHF funded projects in the following counties: Boulder, Chaffee, Denver, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Gunnison, Huerfano, Jefferson, Las Animas, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt and San Juan.

Immerse yourself in Colorado preservation stories every week! Follow History Colorado preservationists on Instagram as they travel the state. The application deadline for the next State Historical Fund competitive grant round is April 1, 2015.

For a complete list of SHF grants funded this round, visit h-co.org/ThisYearInGrants.

###

History Colorado's mission is to inspire generations to find wonder and meaning in our past and to engage in creating a better Colorado. We serve as the state's memory, preserving the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through our museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections, and outreach to Colorado communities. Find History Colorado on all major social media platforms. Visit HistoryColorado.org or call (303) HISTORY for more information.