Why Advocacy Matters

Preservation doesn’t happen by chance, it happens through action. While dedicated individuals and communities work every day to protect and adapt the places that reflect Colorado’s heritage, those efforts must be supported by strong public policies, sustainable funding, and informed decision-making at every level of government. Advocacy ensures that historic places remain a priority when critical decisions about development, funding, and community planning are made.

Advocacy is a critical part of CPI’s mission, and it is our role to ensure that important information about preservation issues reaches the public, community leaders, and decision-makers. We work to raise awareness about the policies, legislation, and funding decisions that directly impact Colorado’s historic places and the communities that benefit from them. By providing timely, accurate information and clear calls to action, we empower our supporters to become effective advocates—helping to amplify the preservation message and demonstrate to legislators the real-world importance of protecting Colorado’s historic resources. Together, through informed and active advocacy, we can shape policies that sustain preservation efforts for generations to come.

Immediate Concern:

Release FY 2025 Historic Preservation Funds

Although Congress approved funding for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) for Fiscal Year 2025, those funds have not yet been made available to the agencies and programs that depend on them. This delay at the federal level is preventing important preservation work from moving forward, leaving state and local organizations without the resources they need to protect historic places and support community revitalization efforts.

If not released, this delay will impact preservation efforts in Colorado.

What’s at Stake?

• Without the release of these funds, SHPOs would have to lay off staff are struggling to perform federally mandated duties such as reviewing infrastructure and development projects for historic impacts, nominating sites to the National Register, and supporting rehabilitation projects through historic tax credits.
• Delays in funding jeopardize preservation jobs, force program cutbacks, and leave vulnerable historic places without the resources needed to safeguard them.
• Communities relying on HPF-supported grants for revitalization projects are left in limbo, stalling local economic development tied to preservation.

Looking Ahead:

Threats to the FY 2026 Budget & Long-Term Reauthorization

Beyond the immediate funding delay, the proposed federal budget for FY 2026 includes significant reductions to the HPF and ongoing uncertainty about its long-term reauthorization. Without full funding and a renewed commitment to the HPF, Colorado and other states risk losing the critical foundation needed to preserve historic resources and sustain preservation programs well into the future.

• Reduced Funding Jeopardizes Preservation Capacity: Proposed cuts would diminish the capacity of SHPOs, THPOs, and CLG communities to carry out preservation projects, particularly in rural and under-resourced areas.
• Economic and Community Revitalization at Risk: Without robust investment, preservation efforts that drive local economic growth, foster heritage tourism, and revitalize main streets will face significant barriers.
• Loss of Stability for Preservation Planning: Long-term preservation initiatives require predictable funding. Without reauthorization of the HPF, states will be unable to plan and invest in multi-year projects that protect and activate historic places for future generations.

As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, this is a pivotal moment to reaffirm our commitment to preserving America’s historic and cultural resources. Full funding and reauthorization of the HPF will ensure that preservation remains a priority for years to come.

How This Affects You

• Threats to Local Landmarks and Main Streets: Without timely HPF funding, projects supported by the State Historical Fund (SHF)—including the restoration of iconic Colorado landmarks, main streets, and public spaces—are delayed or canceled. These are the places that foster community pride and support local businesses.
• Reduced Support for Local Governments: Communities participating in the Certified Local Government (CLG) program rely on HPF funds to support local preservation initiatives. Without these resources, local governments struggle to maintain preservation programs, protect significant sites, and promote heritage tourism that fuels local economies.
• Economic Development at Risk: Historic preservation is a proven driver of economic growth, particularly in rural and under-resourced communities. Preservation projects create jobs, increase property values, attract tourism, and revitalize downtowns. Delayed or reduced funding means stalled projects, fewer jobs, and lost economic opportunities.
• Weakened Public Input on Development: Without adequate funding, Colorado’s preservation offices cannot fully participate in reviews of federally funded development projects. This limits community input and increases the risk that historically and culturally significant places including those connected to underrepresented communities will be lost or irreparably harmed.

Preserving Colorado’s historic places is about sustaining livable, economically resilient communities and ensuring that future generations understand and appreciate the places that shaped our state’s history.