Preserving the history and landmarks of the Golden area has been a priority to Goldenites since 1896, when coal miner John Nicholls chose to save Golden's first building, the Boston Building, for its history after it was wrecked in the Great Flood of 1896. Since then, for over a century, Golden area individuals and organizations have worked to preserve Golden's colorful past, continuing with the D.A.R.'s efforts to preserve the Boston Building in 1925 and organization of the Golden Pioneer Museum in 1939; Sid Squibb's rescue of the Pullman House in 1965; the creation and continuing preservation efforts of the Golden Landmarks Association since 1971-1972; the organization and work of the Jefferson County Historical Commission since 1974; and the preservation efforts of the Golden Historic Preservation Board since 1983.

Preservation in Golden and designating historic places

Why would I want to designate my property as an historic landmark?

• Designation officially recognizes that your place has important architectural, historical, or geographic merit as a significant piece of Golden's history
• It can increase the value of your property and your neighborhood
• You can protect the historic character of your property and all the effort you have put into restoring it
• It can enable your property to compete for grants from the State Historical Fund
• Designation can make your place eligible for a Colorado Historic Preservation Income Tax Credit of 20%, which can be carred forward 5 years, of qualified costs up to a maximum credit of of $50,000 per qualified property, if the preservation or rehabilitation costs total $5,000 or more
• You can obtain certain kinds of relief from building codes
• Obtain helpful advice from the Golden Historic Preservation Board and area experts on restoring and preserving your property

What types of historic designation might my property be eligible for?

• Golden Register of Historic Landmarks, applied for through the City of Golden
• Jefferson County Register of Historic Landmarks, applied for through the Jefferson County Historical Commission
• Colorado Register of Historic Places, applied for through the Colorado Historical Society
• National Register of Historic Places, applied for through the Colorado Historical Society
• The Jefferson County Historical Commission also has given nonregulatory recognition to 25 Jefferson County Centennial Sites

Is my property eligible for historic designation?

• See the National Park Service website for information on national designation
• See the Colorado Historical Society website for information on state designation
• Places in unincorporated Jefferson County may be eligible for County designation. Contact the Jefferson County Historical Commission for further details.
• It might be eligible for Golden designation if it is one or more of the following:
  • Over 50 years old (signage and places of exceptional merit may be exempt);
  • Has significance to the history of the community, region, state, nation, or world;
  • Is of a significant architectural style or type or construction;
  • Is the site of a significant historic event;
  • Is associated with important people or organizations in our past;
  • Is a significant work of a master architect or builder;
  • Contributes significantly to the patterns of our history;
  • Has design, engineering, material, artistry, or craftsmanship representing notable innovations;
  • Portrays the physical environment of a group of people in an era characterized by a distinctive architectural style
  • Is a uniquely notable geographic location
  • See the Golden historic designation web page for more information

My property is less than 50 years old. Can it still get historic designation?

• Yes! Younger landmarks of proven merit can get on the National Historic Register, including 6 sites and 1 historic district in Jefferson County alone. See the Recent Past Preservation Network for more information
• For Golden historic designation, there are no age limits for architectural significance, geographic significance, or signage

What are my responsibilities if my property has historic designation?

• Preserve it in its significant historical condition or risk revocation of its state or national designation
• You need to apply to the Historic Preservation Board if you plan any substantial exterior alterations (repair, reconstruction, new construction, rehabilitation, or such other work requiring a building permit) for Certificate of Appropriateness review and non-binding recommendations for your work
• There is no obligation to restore your property
• Demolition may be delayed up to 180 days to allow the Preservation Board time to investigate alternative possibilities and work towards an agreement for preservation
• Visit the Golden historic designation web page for more information

How do I obtain local designation?

• Fill out an application, obtainable from the City of Golden, 911 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401, or online here
• The application requires information about the property's location, ownership, photos, and historical data
• Application also needs listing of resources used to obtain historical information
• Gain the consent of at least 50% of a property's ownership
• For a district, the designation process is made through written petition of at least 50% of area owners
• Property's designation eligibility is reviewed by the City and public hearings held by the Historic Preservation Board and Golden City Council; the Council makes final determination of the granting of a designation

Are there other ways I may preserve my property aside from designation?

• Grant a preservation easement to an entity responsible for historic preservation
• Get advice from Golden Landmarks or other preservation non-profits to preserve your property
• Hire preservation experts to assist you in preserving your property

What are the economic benefits of historic preservation in Golden?

• Preservation has supported the economy of Downtown and the city for over 100 years
• It maintains unique attractions that draw locals and outsiders who spend money in Golden
• Rehabilitation includes purchase of project labor and materials and enables properties to achieve maximized economic use
• Over $500,000 in grant money has been infused into the Downtown economy for rehabilitation projects since 1993
• Heritage tourism is a proven major draw to Golden for over a century through sightseeing, museum visitation, and shopping at historic places; Colorado heritage tourists spend an average $58 per day staying an average of 5.3 nights
• Preservation promotes community culture and pride that enhances Golden for its residents, future residents and its profile towards outsiders
• Several historic commercial buildings have been preserved whose properties would not otherwise have been rebuilt, saving property and income tax revenues for the city
• Historic building revitalization has resulted in increased property and sales and use tax revenues to the city
• Preservation has maintained affordable housing in the Golden community
• Rehabilitation has enhanced property tax revenues for the city of Golden

For more information, contact Golden Landmarks or the Golden Historic Preservation Board.