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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. 
Historic Resources Database

Historic Resources Database

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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#

Friend of Preservation Awardees

Friend of Preservation Awards 2024

On May 21, 2024, 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.

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Civil Rights Historic Context

Civil Rights Historic Context

The City of Fort Collins and McDoux Preservation recently completed a civil rights historic context project. This project documents how and where Fort Collins community members have sought greater civil rights and recognition of human rights over the last two centuries. This project was grant funded from the State Historical Fund. Using the information from this historic context, Historic Preservation Services will now be working to survey historic properties identified in the report to learn more about them.

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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.

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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 ReplacementFort 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.