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Colorado Preservation, Inc.'s Public Policy Committee provides leadership and a collective statewide voice for issues involving historic preservation. The committee, consisting of preservation professionals, activists and concerned citizens from across the state, advocates for preservation friendly legislation at the state and national levels. The committee monitors all state bills to ensure that proposals do not adversely effect preservation of sites and structures in Colorado.

Represented in Public Policy Committee: Colorado Community Revitalization Association, Colorado Council of Professional Archaeologists, Colorado Historical Foundation, Colorado Historical Society, Historic Boulder, Historic Denver, Historic Georgetown, and National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Public Policy News


Governor Ritter Signs Historic Preservation Tax Credit!

On June 5, 2008, Governor Ritter signed HB 1033 authorizing Colorado's state historic preservation tax credit with the presence of the historic preservation community and bill sponsor Senator Paula Sandoval.

Colorado Preservation Inc. thanks everyone for their hard work and dedication in renewing the historic preservation tax credit. This year, the Colorado legislature passed HB08-1033 which reauthorizes the historic preservation tax credit for 10 more years. The tax credit for historic preservation was first established in 1990 and it serves as an important incentive to encourage the rehabilitation and preservation of historic buildings throughout the state.  By restoring buildings statewide, local companies can become involved in the preservation process which helps the state’s economy.   The credit can be taken for up to 20% of qualified rehabilitation costs up to a maximum of a $50,000 credit per qualified property.

In order to qualify for the tax credit, the property must be at least 50 years old and be designated on the National Register of Historic Places; designated on the State Register of Historic Properties; designated as a landmark by a certified local government; or designated as a contributing property in a designated historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places, State Register of Historic Properties, or by a certified local government.

Since 1991, over 500 Colorado property owners have taken advantage of the tax credit, with over 90% of these being single family homeowners. The credit has been an incentive for both owner-initiated designation of historic properties and sensitive rehabilitations.  Throughout the legislative process of renewing this tax credit, the preservation community worked together by making phone calls, testifying on the bill, and working with various legislators.

 Colorado State Rehabilitation Tax Credit Renewed!

Thanks to all who contacted their state legislators to encourage renewal of this critical preservation incentive! Colorado Preservation Inc. and its members worked with State Representative Claire Levy (D-Boulder) and State Senator Paula Sandoval (D-Denver) to run legislation in the 2008 session to reauthorize the State’s Income Tax Credit for Historic Preservation projects.

HB-1033 can be found here. A fact sheet on the tax credit reauthorization can be found here. For more information about the State Income Tax Credit for Historic Preservation, visit here.

Public Policy Information

  • Join Colorado Preservation, Inc.'s Action Network to receive email updates on preservation bills and initiatives that effect historic preservation in Colorado. Click Here


  • Colorado Preservation, Inc. legislative update. Click Here (.pdf)
  • Colorado Preservation, Inc. 2008 legislative session summary. Click Here (.pdf)


  • For a complete list of Colorado legislators with contact information, visit www.leg.state.co.us.


  • To determine your Senators and Representatives in the Federal and State governments, visit www.vote-smart.org.


  • For more information on Federal legislation visit Preservation Action at www.preservationaction.org.