|
Supporting History The State Historical Fund: A Ten-year LegacyIn 1990 citizens of Colorado passed a constitutional amendment allowing limited stakes gaming in Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek. The legislation allocated a percentage of the state tax revenues from gaming for historic preservation via a grant program managed by the Colorado Historical Society. By 1992 the Society's newly established State Historical Fund began the granting process with what was then an unbelievable funding base of $3.2 million. The first round awarded funds to projects such as the rehabilitation of the Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder, a Routt County historic context, and interpretive markers and signage at the Grover Depot in Weld County. These early projects created local interest in historic preservation that continues today. The State Historical Fund provided-and continues to provide-technical and financial assistance for projects that might not have been completed without outside help. To date, 2,179 grants have been awarded throughout the state with projects in every county (including the newly formed county of Broomfield). Funding currently stands at over $104 million-a figure that few thought possible in 1990. Grant requests from the current round are being reviewed and could add another $7 million to that total. But these figures are small compared to the total economic benefits of these projects on Colorado's economy. A recent study shows that incentives for historic rehabilitation projects, such as grants from the State Historical Fund and state and federal tax credits, have resulted in $676.2 million in direct rehabilitation expenditures. The projects create jobs, maintain or increase property values, and promote heritage tourism. Therefore, all State Historical Fund projects, whether small or large, have a big impact on the overall economic health of our state. As the SHF does not prescribe minimum or maximum award amounts, grant amounts vary widely. The smallest grant awarded to date has been $474 to Annunciation School for a historical photographic narrative of the Cole neighborhood in Denver. The largest single competitive grant for a preservation project has been $625,000 awarded to the Housing Authority of Colorado Springs for the rehabilitation of the Lowell School. Seventy-nine grants have had a statewide influence while fifty grants have crossed county lines and have regional influence. Denver County, because of its large population and high number of historical resources, has received the most grants, with 348. Boulder County comes in second with 132, while Baca County has received the least number of grants, with a single grant supporting an Interpretive Kiosk in Campo. Although the Fund is proud to have served every county, it would like to support more projects in under-represented counties. And with a National Register nomination and archaeological brochure at Dinosaur National Monument in northwest Colorado, a site restoration and archaeological survey in southwest Colorado's Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park, and a historic structure assessment of the Hartsel Community Center in the state's geographical center, the SHF has indeed covered all of the state's regions. In addition to reaching every county and corner of the nation's highest state, the Fund also reaches every elevation. In Julesburg, the SHF funded an exterior restoration of the Hippodrome Theater and a historic structure assessment of the Municipal Library, both located at a mere 3,477 feet above sea level. Far to the southwest in the San Juan Mountains, the Fund helped restore the Old Hundred Mine's Boardinghouse and Tramhouse, perilously perched above Cunningham Gulch at 12,500 in elevation. Due to the rough terrain, materials used for stabilization were airlifted by helicopter to the site. Ten years and $104 million-the state of Colorado is fortunate to have such an all-encompassing program that not only provides support for projects throughout the state but also benefits communities through spin-off projects and investments that will leave a legacy of preservation for years to come. BY LYLE MILLER, Technical Advisor, State Historical Fund SIDEBAR: |