History Colorado & Funding
History Colorado has two areas that provide grants for archaeology and historic preservation projects. The Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation administers the U.S. Department of Interior's Historic Preservation Fund Program in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The State Historical Fund is a statewide grants program that was created by the 1990 constitutional amendment allowing limited gaming in the towns of Cripple Creek, Central City, and Black Hawk. The amendment directs that a portion of the gaming tax revenues be used for historic preservation throughout the state.
SHF Competitive Grants
Competitive Grants (aka General Grants) are made for any of the three projects types: Acquisition & Development, Education, and Survey & Inventory.
There are three essential elements to applying for a competitive State Historical Fund Grant:
1. You need to be or work with an eligible grant applicant.
2. If you are planning to do physical work on a structure, building, site, or object, the resource must be historically designated. If this is a survey and planning, archaeological survey, or education project, the focus of your project must be directly related to historic preservation.
3.You need to apply for projects, activities, and costs that qualify for assistance from the State Historical Fund.
SHF Competitive Grants Webpage
SHF Non- Competitive Grants
These grants may be submitted at any time of the year and are for smaller amounts of money than the competitive grants. They include the Historic Structure Assessment Grant, Archaeological Assessment Grant, and Emergency Grant.
There are three essential elements to applying for a competitive State Historical Fund Grant:
1. You need to be or work with an eligible grant applicant.
2. If you are planning to do physical work on a structure, building, site, or object, the resource must be historically designated. If this is a survey and planning, archaeological survey, or education project, the focus of your project must be directly related to historic preservation.
3. You need to apply for projects, activities, and costs that qualify for assistance from the State Historical Fund.
SHF Non-Competitive Grants Webpage
History Colorado through the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP) administers the U.S. Department of Interior's Historic Preservation Fund Program in cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS). Under this program the NPS has specified that at least ten percent (10%) of Colorado's annual program funds be subgranted to Certified Local Governments (CLGs). Since 2000, Colorado’s 10% requirement has been augmented with an internal grant from the State Historical Fund.
Eligibility for participation in this federally funded grant program requires that each applicant is a CLG. Requirements for certification may be requested from History Colorado. Any political subdivision of the state, such as a city or county, meeting the criteria set forth in the Colorado Certified Local Government Program Handbook is eligible to apply for certification. Applications for certification are accepted on an on-going basis.
CLG Grants
Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties
The Secretary of the Interior Standards and Guidelines for historic rehabilitation were written by the National Park Service and revised in 1990. They are federally mandated to be utilized by federal agencies with designated properties or properties that are officially determined to be eligible for National Register listing by the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office. They have also been adopted by numerous in State Certified Local Governments. The guidelines recommend responsible methods and approaches and list treatments that should be avoided.
Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
The Town of Pagosa Springs has successfully been awarded two SHF Grants for restoration work on The Rumbaugh Creek Bridge and the Waterworks Tank Walls and Building. The grant for the Rumbaugh Creek Bridge Restoration is for $166,605 with a 25% cash match from the Town of $55,535 for a total project cost of $222,140. The Town is currently in the process of accepting the SHF Grant for the Waterworks Tank Walls and Building, but this grant is for $167,937 with a 25% cash match from the Town of $55,980 for a total project cost of $223,917. This is an exciting time for the Town of Pagosa Springs! As these are the first SHF Grants the Town has received, it is important to ensure the longevity of this site through careful consideration and planning.
