Colorado Preservation 2005: Enriching Our Future by Preserving Our Past - Statewide Historic Preservation Plan

From the Plan Summary: "Community identity and a sense of place makes Colorado special and meaningful to each of us. Across the state, people in the public and private sectors work to retain Colorado's unique historic character. Yet, our distinctive heritage is threatened. In parts of the state economic decline and neglect constitute a major threat. In other locales the threat is rapid change. Residential and commercial growth often consume farm and ranch land. New development can alter the character of traditional communities. At the same time, Coloradans are increasingly aware of this community identity and are expressing a commitment to its preservation. Expanding awareness and commitment is our vision for the future and the cornerstone of Colorado Preservation 2005, the five-year historic preservation plan. As defined in this plan, historic preservation is the stewardship of the important places from our past, including buildings, structures, sites, districts, and landscapes. These places are also referred to in this plan as Colorado's cultural resources. ...As the historic community, we have a broad view of the state's heritage from our particular perspective. This view is expressed in a sweeping twenty-five-year vision statement: 'Over the next 25 years, Coloradans will increasingly appreciate, respect, and protect their heritage and will embrace their role as its stewards.' This vision articulates a concern for preserving our heritage as a shared, basic value - a way of life for all Coloradans. Preserving our historical and natural endowment requires more than programs and laws. It requires people who both understand and care for the cultural and natural environment. The environmental movement provides a model for cultivating this stewardship. Today, three decades after the movement began, most citizens are concerned about the quality of our air, water, and food. Recycling is a way of life for many. Respect for the environment is taught in grade school. We freely accept our stewardship of the environment. The vision for Colorado's heritage aims to achieve a similar commitment to stewardship. Indeed, we hope people will regard preservation of the cultural environment and conservation of the natural environment as linked parts of the same movement. Through education and interpretation we can cultivate this awareness. The statewide historic preservation plan encourages stewardship, partnership, and information sharing. Throughout Colorado, partners in the historic preservation community are already preserving our state's distinctive historic character. Planning and coordinating these efforts maximizes results from the time and dollars invested. The next twenty-five years will be an exciting and productive period for historic preservation. As more Coloradans recognize the value of our state's cultural heritage, historic preservation opportunities will grow. Private and public funding, combined with technical skills and knowledge, will allow us to accomplish our preservation dreams. Major challenges also lie ahead. The statewide historic preservation plan identifies these challenges along with the goals, objectives, and strategies to realize our vision...." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to History Colorado, Department of Higher Education, administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (grant number 08-01-16405, CO-01-008).

Colorado Preservation 2005: Enriching Our Future by Preserving Our Past - Statewide Historic Preservation Plan

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