COLORADO’S MOST ENDANGERED PLACES PROGRAM

Colorado’s Most Endangered Places Program (EPP) was developed in 1997 to spotlight significant and threatened historic resources needing assistance. A signature initiative for Colorado Preservation, Inc.(CPI), EPP brings awareness and assistance to sites, structures, and cultural landscapes statewide. This program engages community leaders to find creative and innovative ways to keep Colorado’s heritage alive.

Each year, EPP focuses on its listed resources while working with communities to advocate for preservation efforts statewide. By empowering communities, local governments, individuals, and organizations, the impact of Colorado Preservation, Inc. has extended beyond its selected endangered places to hundreds of historic resources throughout Colorado.

As of 2023, the program includes a total of 135 resources in 49 counties; 72 remain in active progress or alert status; 55 have been saved, and eight have been lost.

Site Selection:

EPP sites are selected annually through an in-depth process that engages the preservation community and the public. Resource nominations are submitted electronically or mailed throughout the year from individuals, organizations, local governments, etc. Nominations are typically due mid-August. The nominations are reviewed by staff and assigned to a regional reviewer. Reviewers are responsible for visiting the property, meeting with the nominators, and providing a written project evaluation. Nominated resources are reviewed at regional review meetings and a statewide meeting (referred to as “Big Monday”). Presented resources are ranked based on guiding program criteria, and these recommendations are given to CPI staff and board for final selection.

Which resources are listed each year is determined by CPI Board and staff based on significance, the urgency of the threat, level of community support, plans, what assistance is required, and determination of what a SAVE would look like for the project. Selected resources are announced at the CPI Saving Places Conference in February. A long-standing program partnership with CBS4 allows for minidocumentaries to be filmed at the selected resources leading up to the February announcement. CBS4 airs the documentaries during 30-minute specials each year following the February conference.

The program is paid for in part by a History Colorado State Historical Fund grant.

Jennifer Orrigo Charles Executive Director|jorrigocharles@coloradopreservation.org|303.893.4260 x 237

Katie Peterson Endangered Places Program Director| kpeterson@coloradopreservation.org

|303.893.4260 x 222