WEEKEND WORKSHOPS
The Endangered Places Weekend Workshops are proudly sponsored by: This project is paid for in part by a History Colorado State Historical Fund grant.
COLORA ENDANG
BACKGROUND
Colorado’s historic places are disappearing. Every year, buildings, landscapes, and landmarks that tell the story of the state’s people, industries, and cultures face threats from neglect, redevelopment, environmental damage, or a simple lack of awareness. EPP exists to change that trajectory quickly, strategically, and statewide.
CPI established the Endangered Places Program (EPP) in 1997 as a way to bring attention and assistance to threatened resources statewide. EPP plays a vital role in Colorado’s preservation landscape by identifying, elevating, and mobilizing support for the state’s most threatened historic resources. As a leader in preservation advocacy, EPP not only brings visibility to vulnerable places, but also acts as a catalyst for action, connecting communities with resources, professionals, and tools to chart a path forward. Through statewide partnerships and a presence at the annual Saving Places Conference, EPP fosters collaboration, builds public awareness, and strengthens Colorado’s commitment to preserving its cultural and architectural heritage
As the only statewide initiative solely dedicated to identifying, elevating, and assisting Colorado’s most threatened historic resources, EPP serves as both a safety net and an opportunity for growth It steps in when time is short, visibility is low, and hope may be fading It offers tools, technical assistance, and critical exposure to inspire action The urgency is not theoretical; the buildings and landscapes EPP supports are often months or years away from irreversible loss
EPP WEEKEND WORKSHOPS
BACKGROUND
EPP has identified several urgent and interconnected challenges facing historic preservation statewide. Many endangered places lack access to funding, technical expertise, and clear pathways to advance projects. At the same time, there is a growing shortage of skilled preservation tradespeople and limited opportunities for the next generation to gain training experience. As the number of listed EPP resources grows, so does the need for scalable, effective solutions that can address both immediate stabilization needs and long-term capacity building.
In response, CPI has developed and refined an EPP program model that directly addresses these gaps. One of the most impactful tools has been the implementation of Weekend Workshops, which provide immediate intervention at selected endangered places while building workforce capacity. These workshops have demonstrated measurable success in advancing endangered resources toward stabilization and reuse.
These Weekend Workshops are a cornerstone of the Endangered Places Program’s handson support. These events bring together preservation professionals, volunteers, local stakeholders, and community members for a weekend of meaningful work on-site. Whether it’s stabilizing a structure, removing non-historic materials, or demonstrating traditional building techniques, each workshop is tailored to the site's needs and the goals of the preservation plan
These workshops are not only productive, but they’re also energizing They serve as a catalyst for local investment, offer hands-on preservation education, and demonstrate that preservation is as much about people as it is about place
What follows is a list of all completed Weekend Workshops and their results
indiana jones bed and breakfast
November 21-22, 2025
The Weekend Workshop at the Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast in Antonito focused on assessing the building’s condition and identifying next steps toward full restoration. Volunteers assisted with temporary stabilization measures, while preservation professionals evaluated existing conditions and developed step-by-step drawings and guidance for the owner to follow in completing long-term repairs. The workshop provided both immediate protection for the building and a clear roadmap for its future preservation.
The Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast was listed as one of Colorado's Most Endangered Places in 2025 Built in 1888, Indiana Jones’ boyhood residence was originally the Carroll family home and one of the first houses constructed in Antonito In 1989, the opening scenes of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade were filmed right here, with the action centered on the historic Cumbres & Toltec Railroad and the charming Victorian building at 502 Front Street, now known as the Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast
gold medal/montezuma orchard
November 15-16 2025
The Weekend Workshop at the Montezuma Orchard focused on protecting a historic structure through handson stabilization work. Volunteers and preservation professionals removed non-historic materials and installed a temporary roof to safeguard the building from further deterioration. This critical intervention helped stabilize the resource while setting the stage for future preservation and rehabilitation efforts.
The Montezuma Orchard was listed as one of Colorado's Most Endangered Places in 2015 Planted before 1900 by James T Giles and later owned by Reverend Howard R Antes, the Gold Medal Orchard was at one time among the most famous orchards in Colorado Today, the property stands as one of the earliest planted commercial orchards in the county (in use since 1900) and is nearing qualification for a Centennial Farm status
feminilas building
November 15-16 2025
A team of passionate volunteers and historic preservation professionals (Deep Roots Craftsmen and Natural Dwelling, LLC) came together at the Feminilas Building in El Rito, nestled in the San Luis Valley, for a mothballing workshop. We focused on carefully closing up and stabilizing this Colorado treasure to ensure it stands strong for years to come. Mothballing is all about giving historic structures the time they need for future restoration, preventing further damage while honoring the building’s story.
The Feminilas Building was listed as one of Colorado's Most Endangered Places in 2023 Constructed in the 1920s, the Feminilas Building is the only known structure separately owned and operated by the women's auxiliary of the SPMDTU men's labor organization (Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos, or the Society for the Mutual Protection of United Workers)
kit carson museum complex
October 26-27, 2024
CPI worked alongside Natural Dwelling, LLC, the community of Las Animas, and a dedicated group of preservation enthusiasts from the Fort Lyon Supportive Residential Community Program in an unforgettable workshop focused on authentic adobe restoration at the Kit Carson Museum. Participants rolled up their sleeves and got hands-on experience removing cementitious stucco that had covered the historic adobe walls for years. In its place, volunteers applied traditional adobe plaster, restoring the wall with the same techniques used by generations past
The Kit Carson Museum Complex was listed as one of Colorado's Most Endangered Places in 2024 The long pink adobe building was home to a prisoner-of-war (POW) camp for German officers during World War II POWs were sent to neighboring farms to work as agricultural workers The barracks were also home to one of four Jamaican migrant farm working camps in Colorado
south platte hotel
May
5 and June 1, 2024
CPI, in partnership with History Jeffco, the Jefferson County Historical Commission, Deep Roots Craftsmen, and Denver Water, hosted a mothballing workshop at the South Platte Hotel in southern Jefferson County.
This workshop utilized volunteers over a month to paint plywood pieces to look like the original historic windows, breathing new life into the building and showcasing the love and care the community has for this landmark
The South Platte Hotel was listed on Colorado’s Most Endangered Places in 2023
mission churches of costilla county
Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo
April 19-20, 2024
CPI, along with Scheuber Darden Architects, Natural Dwelling, LLC, LOGOS Structural, LLC, and Statistical Research, Inc., visited the small but mighty community of San Pedro/San Pablo to conduct an exploratory Weekend Workshop on the Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo. This is a crucial step in ongoing efforts to save this historic resource.
This exploratory workshop hosted over 40 volunteers who learned about traditional adobe-making techniques, while exploring the current condition of the church’s foundation and bell tower. Final deliverables were an action plan to reopen the condemned church.
The Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo was listed on Colorado’s Most Endangered Places as part of the Costilla County Mission Churches group in 2024.
montoya ranch
August 5-6, 2023
CPI, in cooperation with the property owner Jim Gerken, held a successful adobe stucco Weekend Workshop led by Santa Fe-based nonprofit Cornerstones Community Partnerships The workshop included participants who, over two full days, learned about adobe wall repairs and stucco plastering
Participants learned how to mix adobe and “throw” mud to repair adobe walls and then add a finer finish coat to the east wall of the ranch house Volunteers also created adobe bricks and learned about mixing and applying tint or coloring to adobe using materials based in nature.
The Montoya Ranch was listed on Colorado’s Most Endangered Places in 2016.
Lafayette head home & Ute indian agency
June 5-6, 2021
CPI, in cooperation with property owner, architect, and activist, Ronald Rael, held a very successful adobe stucco Weekend Workshop led by Adobe in Action and Cornerstones, two New Mexico-based non-profits The workshop included 30 participants over two full days, learning about adobe wall repairs and stucco plastering
Participants learned how to mix adobe and “throw” mud to repair adobe walls and then add a finer finish coat to the entire servants’ and enslaved people’s quarters adjacent to the main Lafayette Head Home and the once sprawling compound that served as a fort, settlement, supply station, and Ute Agency in the tiny town of Conejos in the San Luis Valley. Participants also learned about mixing and applying tint or color to adobe using natural-based materials.
The Lafayette Head Home & Ute Indian Agency was placed on Colorado’s Most Endangered Places in 2021.
foxton post office
October 20-21, 2020
CPI, in consultation with Deep Roots Timberworks, dba Dep Roots Craftsmen, completed a Weekend Workshop to close out the 2019 EPP SHF grant in late October 2020 at the Foxton Post Office in Jefferson County The Foxton Post Office was added to Colorado’s Most Endangered Places in 2002 and has languished for a long time due to uncertainty about the status of the site, owned by Denver Water and once considered for the controversial Two Forks Dam.
The Weekend Workshop at the Foxton Post Office took place under cold weather conditions utilizing all COVID-19 pandemic safety precautions and feature a limited volunteer crew of 8-10 people, who worked with CPI and Deep Roots to evaluate the foundation and deploy temporary shoring or stabilization in the lower-level back room, removed nails and deteriorated shingles from the east roof with selective removal of existing skip sheathing and deteriorated decking, and covering by a temporary rolled roofing material. The bent metal west roof will be reattached. Volunteers also thoroughly cleaned the interior of the building. The goal is to build support from Denver Water for adaptive reuse of the building to support the popular parks, trails, and recreational activities in the area.
elk creek octagon and barn
April 19-23, 2020
Using a small crew of HistoriCorps volunteers and the site caretaker during the COVID-19 pandemic, CPI pulled off an abbreviated Weekend Workshop over three days between April 19-23, 2020, at the Elk Creek Octagon and Barn in southern Jefferson County. Stabilization of the walls and foundation took place, along with the installation of a temporary roof to protect and mothball the barn.
The Elk Creek Octagon & Barn was added to Colorado’s Most Endangered Places in 2018, over the objections of the property owner, the Archdiocese of Denver. Since that time, the property owner has cooperated in efforts to preserve the distinctive multi-sided barn and to find long-term solutions, including support for the Weekend Workshop. The workshop took place under challenging conditions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic that struck the United States and Colorado in March 2020. State Historical Fund staff showed great flexibility in allowing for an abbreviated workshop, with limited volunteers and a small three-person crew of skilled HistoriCorps staff, including contractor Steve Harris of Cloud City Builders, LLC. The unique “Octagon” barn was constructed in the early 1900s in an area now known as Shaffer’s Crossing, named after the Shaffer Family who established business enterprises that included farming, threshing and milling, cutting railroad ties, and horse trading along Elk Creek.
fourth street commercial district
Dunn Block June 7-8, 2019
Colorado Preservation, Inc. (CPI) invited volunteers to participate in a free, hands-on preservation workshop at the Dunn Block in Saguache, Colorado, on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8. The workshop ran from 8-5 on Friday and 8-12 on Saturday, with lunch provided on Friday. The workshop introduced volunteers to preservation techniques and will begin the process of rehabilitation by cleaning the property, working on window restoration efforts, testing power washing of painted brick, and other activities. The Dunn Block building, also known as the Means and Ashley Mercantile Building, is located at the corner of the intersection of 4 Street and San Juan Avenue in the town of Saguache. The building was built in 1874, with an addition in 1910, and is listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties (2006) and is a contributing building to the historic Saguache Downtown National Historic District (2007). Volunteers worked under the direction of Henry Woods of Native Sun Construction, architect Leigh Ann Buniger, and CPI Endangered Places Program Director Kim Grant. th
Tarryall Cline Ranch
May 25-26, 2018
Colorado Preservation, Inc and the Park County Department of Heritage, Tourism, & Community Development hosted a hands-on Weekend Workshop at the Tarryall Cline Ranch property along Highway 285 between the towns of Como and Jefferson in Park County on May 25-16. The workshop was open to volunteers and ran from 8-5 on Friday and 8-12 on Saturday.
Built in 1928 by a prominent Denver attorney, Foster Cline, Sr., the Tarryall Cline Ranch has endured the mountain elements for almost 100 years and was placed on CPI’s Endangered Places Program in 2018. Park County purchased the ranch in 2011 with the goal of preservation and has since completed a Historic Structure Assessment and Master Plan for the property. The unique, Pueblo Revival-style ranch house sits near Tarryall Creek in a meadow surrounded by snow-covered peaks on all sides. The workshop introduced volunteers to preservation techniques and began the process of rehabilitation by cleaning and securing the property, saving and labeling fallen foundation stones, and temporarily installing clearboarding window coverings, a transparent polycarbonate materials being introduced in Colorado by SecureView Corp.
homesteading resources of escalante canyon
Walker and Captain Smith Cabins June 27-28, 2017
Colorado Preservation, Inc. (CPI) and the Interpretive Association of Western Colorado (IAWC) hosted a free State Historical Fund-supported historic preservation workshop for interested volunteers at the Homesteading Resources at Escalante Canyon Site on June 27-28, 2017. The site includes Captain Smith’s Cabin, Walker Homestead, and the Waterwheel. The sites were added to Colorado’s Most Endangered Places in 2013. The goal of the workshop was to provide participants with hands-on experience applying historic preservation techniques and treatments designed to protect on-site resources until additional funding can be secured for restoration or rehabilitation. Participants worked with CPI staff and representatives of the Chipeta Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society (CAS) to clean and secure the cabins from continued deterioration. Both the Walker Cabin and Captain Smith Cabin were successfully cleaned and mothballed, with signage explaining the project and asking the public’s cooperation in not entering the buildings until funding was secured for rehabilitation.
ute ulay mine & mill
July 2015
The two-day Weekend Workshop was the second phase of an emergency stabilization project to address immediate concerns for some of the historic structures at the Ute Ulay Mill and Townsite. CPI worked with HistoriCorps field staff to bring volunteers to the site to stabilize foundations, re-roof sections of the property, and brace the walls. Hinsdale County provided additional funds to increase the Weekend Workshop opportunity.
amache internment site
July 2015
The Granada War Relocation Center, better known as Amache, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006. Located near the town of Granada in southeastern Colorado, Amache is a nationally significant, outstanding example of a WWII relocation center. Amache opened in August 1942 and remained open throughout the duration of WWII until 1945, when the War Assets Administration disposed of, mainly off-site, the last of its buildings. At its peak, the site housed 7,318 people.
The workshop for Amache included cleaning up the site for foundation reconstruction and barrack relocation, laying brick foundation for barrack relocation, and artifact archiving and cataloging at the Amache Museum for volunteers who want to be involved but are not able or interested in hands-on work.
