FAQ
How do I research my site/structure?
Regional Preservation Resources:
Historic Preservation Resources:
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Centennial Ranch / Farm Program The Colorado Centennial Farms program designates farms and ranches that have been owned and operated by the same family for 100 years or more. The program was established to honor the significant role that these families have had in settling and shaping the State of Colorado.
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Colorado Register The Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation creatively engages Coloradans and their guests in partnerships to discover, preserve, and take pride in our architectural, archaeological, and other historic places by providing statewide leadership and support to our partners in archaeology and historic preservation.
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National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archaeological resources.
Additional Research Links:
Information may also be gathered from the following sources:
Publications:
National Register Bulletin 39 Researching a Historic Property
Vital Records:
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La Plata County Homepage (For all La Plata County Departments)
Vital Records (recorded documents, cemetery records, birth and deathcertificates, property ownership, building permits, San Juan BasinHealth records, etc.)
Museums:
Incorporated areas of La Plata County:
Historical Societies:
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Colorado Historical Society Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP)
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Montezuma County Historical Society, Inc.
PO Box 218
Cortez, CO 81321-0218
Public Lands Resources:
Resource Libraries:
Genealogy:
Historic Registers:
Local Newspaper archives:
Church records - contact individual church by name
Historic Preservation Consultants
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Cultural Resource Planning, Jill Seyfarth, Principal
Other Resources:
Are Historic Sites mapped?
A map of identified sites may be accessed through the County Arc IMS site.
Colorado Historic Register
http://www.coloradohistory-oahp.org/FAQ/list.htm
National Register of Historic Places
http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com
What structures / sites are on the La Plata County Historic Register?
Accessing Adopted Resolutions: How do I access BOCC Resolutions?
Accessing Adopted Resolutions: How do I access the La Plata County Board of County Commissioner adopted Resolutions?
AdoptedResolutions are available in the County Clerk and Recorder's office andmay be viewed online on the Clerk's Office page at http://records.laplata.co.us/. For additional information, please contact the Clerk and Recorders office at: 970-382-6281.
How do I nominate a structure/site?
Eligibility
For a structure or site to be eligible for the La Plata County Historic Register it must demonstrate the following:
It is more than 50 years old
Identify property significance (one or more)
Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to history
Is connected with persons of significant history
Have distinctive characteristics of a type, person, and method of construction or artisan
Is of geographic importance
Contains the possibility of important discoveries related to prehistory or history
Siteson the State and/or National Register are automatically eligible forthe County Register may be included on the County Register throughthe County nomination process.
Applications
Nomination Form
Other Historic Preservation Designation Levels
State and National Register Nominations
Information on nominations to the State snad Nationsl Registers can be found at:
http://www.historycolorado.org/
http://www.nps.gov/history/preservation.htm
Historicplaces are nominated to the National Register by the State HistoricPreservation Officer (SHPO) of the State in which the property islocated. Contact the State Historical Society before applying to theNational Register.
Are there incentives for nomination?
The Colorado Historical Society Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation and the State Historic Fund, provide some financial incentives for qualifying structures / sites.
- http://www.coloradohistory-oahp.org/FAQ/finan.htm
- http://www.coloradohistory-oahp.org/programareas/shf/shfindex.htm
Nominations to the National Register should first contact the Colorado Historical Society Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation
National Trust for Historic Preservation Mountain Plains Office
National Park Service Historic Preservation Assistance Programs
At this time, La Plata County, offers no financial or development incentives for nominations to the La Plata County Historic Register.
What is the Historic Preservation Review Commission and what do they do?
Three member volunteer advisory commission appointed by the Board ofCounty Commissioners serving 3 year terms, meeting on an as-neededbasis.
Review applications to nominate structures / sites to theCounty Historic Register and make a recommendation to the Board ofCounty Commissioners.
Advance Historic Preservation efforts in La Plata County.
ThisCommission was established in 2004 by Resolution number 2004-33recorded with the County Clerk and recorder under reception no. 897169.
Their mission is to enhance the heritage of the community by linking its past to the future.
Is there a fee for a nominated site?
There is currently no fee for submitting a site to the La Plata County Historic Register at this time.
How long does the process take?
About two months after an application for nomination to the La PlataCounty Historic Register is properly submitted, the Board will determinewhether the structure or site shall be placed on the Register. Thistime frame may vary based on the completeness of the application, andthe Historic Preservation Review Commission schedule.
What is the process to place the structure or site on the Register?
1. Complete the application for nomination and submit it to the La Plata County Planning Department.
2.The County Historic Preservation Planner will contact you if there arequestions, and to inform you of the Historic Preservation ReviewCommission recommendation.
3. The Historic Preservation ReviewCommission (HPRC) reviews applications for nomination to the CountyHistoric Register and makes a recommendation to the Board of CountyCommissioners.
4. You will receive a copy of the report and the dateof the Board of County Commissioners consideration of the nomination.You must attend this meeting for your nomination to be acted on.
5.The Board of County Commissioners makes the final determination based ona report from County Planning Staff which includes the HPRCrecommendation. Once the Board approves the nomination, you will receivea framed certificate and plaque to display on the structure or site.
6. Structures / sites determined to be eligible for the La Plata County Historic Register are adopted by Resolution.
7. The County Clerk and Recorder maintains the County Historic Register by way of recording the Board-adopted Resolution.
8.The County Planning Department Historic Preservation Planner maintainsthe project files which contain details of the nomination. Thisinformation is provided to the State and is available to the public.