Considering Purchasing an Historic Property? Call Us First!
If you're shopping for a new home or business location, one of the factors you may be considering is whether the property is historic or not. In Fort Collins, properties that are City Landmarks or in Landmark Districts, and those that may be eligible for historic designation, come with certain responsibilities, application requirements, and financial incentives.
- Check HERE to see if the property you're considering is historic or not. You can also check your title, which will include the recorded ordinance from Fort Collins City Council.
- Check HERE to see what responsibilities historic property owners have in Fort Collins.
- Check HERE to see what financial incentives historic properties qualify for in Fort Collins.
- Check HERE to see how requirements for historic resources may affect your proposed development project.
Please feel free to call or email us for property-specific information at preservation@fcgov.com or 970-416-4250.
What is Historic Preservation?#
Welcome to the City of Fort Collins' historic preservation program. Historic preservation is a community-led process of preserving places that reflect the history and culture of a community. Whether it is the home of an important civic, artistic, or social leader, an outstanding example of architecture or building construction, a park that has served a neighborhood for a century, or a reflection of past technology or community development, the places around us speak to our ancestors and connect us to the unique identity that makes Fort Collins what it is today.
Fort Collins preserves its important places because they:
- Connect residents to the history and culture of their community.
- Conserve building materials and reduce construction waste.
- Support sustainable economic development goals.
Survey Notification & Design and Development Review
Historic Resources Database
- Table of Historic Resources
- Map of Historic Resources
- Types of historic designations (local, state, and national)
- Historic Districts
- Recent Survey Projects
Fort Collins Preservation At A Glance#
- Nearly 1,000 designated historic resources, from individual properties to historic districts.
- Over 230 Fort Collins Landmarks and 4 Landmark Districts that have been officially recognized and protected by City Council.
- Over 800 properties in the National Register of Historic Places or Colorado State Register subject to advisory review.
- The City has completed over 70 historic preservation grant projects, translating into over $21M in direct and indirect revenue.
Trying to look up an historic building or place? Check out our online database.
Highlights#
Carnegie Building Rehabilitation
The City of Fort Collins is undertaking a transformational renovation of the historic 1904 Carnegie Library Building. One of the oldest, continuously operating public buildings in Fort Collins, it was designated a local historic Landmark in 1978, and is now operated as the Carnegie Center for Creativity.
The renovation focuses on both historic preservation and infrastructure investments to ensure that the Center continues to serve the community as an affordable, community-focused space for gallery exhibitions, performances, classes, meetings and special events. The goal is to create an inclusive and vibrant environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and a sense of community and belonging. The anticipated reopening is in the first half of 2024.
Civil Rights Historic Context
The City of Fort Collins and McDoux Preservation are currently working on a civil rights historic context project. This project seeks to document how and where Fort Collins community members have sought greater civil rights and recognition of human rights over the last two centuries. This project is grant funded from the State Historical Fund.
Friend of Preservation Awards 2023
On May 2, 2023, the Fort Collins Historic Preservation Commission, with City Council, recognized the contributions of four individuals for their contributions to preservation and local history during a reception and awards ceremony.
Preservation & Sustainability
The City of Fort Collins has set ambitious sustainability goals, from its Climate Action Plan, to waste diversion from regional landfills, and historic preservation plays an important part.
Stay Informed#
Demolition Notification Process: There is a new notification process for proposed demolitions.This is not the same demolition/alteration review process you might have previously encountered. The proposed demolitions will be posted on our website and in the This Week in Development Review newsletter. Please contact staff at preservation@fcgov.com with any questions.
Understanding the Cost of Repair versus Replacement: Fort Collins Historic Preservation Services worked with nationally-renowned preservationist Bob Yapp to produce the new cost calculator tool. This tool helps homeowners and commercial property owners explore the cost difference and longevity of products against each other with a place to input their actual dimensions. These prices are local to the area! Check out the tool before replacing windows, doors, siding, or trim.
