The 2019 Colorado Preserve America Youth Summit: Next Generation Stewards is a four-day program, held July 15-18, 2019, and features nationally significant historic places in southwest Colorado, including Yucca House National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.  

“We are proud to partner with Preserve America Youth Summit and to connect Colorado students with hands-on approaches to archaeology, preservation, conservation, and the complexities of heritage tourism, said Tim Stroh, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer and Director of The State Historical Fund. “As tomorrow’s leaders, we must creatively engage young people about the merits of saving historic places and empower them to mobilize their generation about the importance of preserving history in a rapidly changing, fast-paced, digital world.” 

Students gain hands-on experience in engaging preservation issues, visiting historic sites, and serving as “consultants,” to produce recommendations on critical issues of environmental and cultural sustainability; advancing cultural understanding, tourism and educational programs; and inspiring an ethic of preservation for the next generation. An important part of the program is focused on generating ideas and shaping a vision for Yucca House National Monument, as the site celebrates 100 years as a National Monument.

The Summit concludes with a Town Hall, presented on Thursday, July 18 from 9:30-11:30am at the Morefield Amphitheatre at Mesa Verde National Park. Youth participants from across the state will present their recommendations to elected officials, civic, community and preservation leaders. Members of the media are invited to attend. 

"Historic preservation is something youth should be involved in, and our voices should matter," said Paul, a Youth Summit participant and incoming freshman at the University of Colorado-Boulder. "Having knowledge of places in the past is important to knowing what the future will be like. We are the next generation of leaders and the future of preservation."

Participants include 50 Colorado middle and high school students and teachers. Students were competitively selected through an application process and offered the opportunity at no cost to them, thanks to the generosity of the following sponsors: The Conservation Legacy, National Park Service, History Colorado, the Colorado State Historical Fund and others.

"Attending the Youth Summit is an incredible opportunity to understand the cultures and people who came before us," said Lily, a junior at Legacy High School and Youth Summit participant. "Immersing ourselves in the archaeological history of these places, and ensuring their survival through service and leadership, is an experience that every young person should have. This is why saving places is so crucial.” 

The Preserve America Youth Summit is a national program that offers middle and high school students, and teachers, a unique immersion in the preservation and sharing of our nation’s historic places. The program examines preservation and conservation challenges as well as interpretive opportunities of historic properties with a focus on the relevancy of these places to our future leaders. 

For more information about the Preserve America Youth Summit, visit preservationyouthsummit.org.

About History Colorado
History Colorado’s mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. We serve as the state’s memory, preserving the places, stories and material culture of Colorado through the History Colorado Center and statewide Community Museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections and outreach to Colorado communities. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Philip Clapham
Preservation Communications Manager
303-866-2049 / 303-681-5823 (cell) | philip.clapham@state.co.us