Preservation helps mitigate climate change by eliminating unnecessary building material waste and avoiding upfront carbon emissions from new construction.

• August is Transgender history month! Learn more about LGBTQ+ history in Fort Collins.
• The Iron Horse and the Development of Larimer County – Aug. 22, 9 a.m., meet at the Downtown Transit Center (250 N. Mason St.)
  • Join Historic Larimer County's President, Ron Sladek, for an easy walking tour focusing on how the arrival of the "iron horse" impacted early development of Larimer County, connecting Fort Collins and northern Colorado to the rest of the state and nation. For more information, visit the HLC events webpage.
• 2026 Historic Homes Pre-Tour Presentation: What Makes a Home? – Sept. 8, 7–8 p.m. (doors open at 6:30)., Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (408 Mason Ct.)
  • The sister event to the 2026 Historic Homes Tour, the Pre-Tour Lecture offers guests an opportunity to dive deeper into the themes that bring Fort Collins’s history to life, setting the stage for the tour. Home is one of those tricky words that means all sorts of things to different people. What we call our home, and how we think about home, takes many different forms and can motivate us in different ways. Join the historians from the City’s Historic Preservation team as we explore the different concepts of home through the stories of the houses on the Historic Homes Tour. Tickets are $10, and space is limited.

Are you the owner of a Fort Collins Landmark property?

Contact Historic Preservation Services (Preservation@FortCollins.gov; 970-224-6078) to learn more about financial support programs and for information on required design review of exterior alterations. Please remember that all exterior projects, including painting, require pre-approval and work that does not meet City code requirements is considered a violation and is subject to citation. We are here to help with project planning and look forward to hearing from you prior to the start of work!

Last Month's Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Decisions

The July HPC meeting was canceled due to lack of business.

• A Year of Conversations: In 2026, the United States celebrates 250 years of independence, and Colorado celebrates 150 years of statehood. The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (FCMoD) and the City of Fort Collins invite the community to engage in learning, discourse, and the democratic process throughout the year with this event series, "A Year of Conversations." Upcoming events include:
  • Meet the Executive Directors – Aug. 12, 5–6 p.m., Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (408 Mason Ct.)
    • "Explore More" members of the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery are invited to a meet and greet with FCMoD's Co-Executive Directors, Shannon Quist and Cheryl Donaldson! Tour the building, ask questions, and get a behind the-scenes look at how the museum is run. Registration and an Explore More Membership is required.
  • Cary Morin Duo Live Performance – Aug. 14, 7–8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30), Center for Creativity (200 Mathews St.)
    • Described as "one of the best acoustic pickers on the scene today," Cary Morin brings together the great musical traditions of America like no other, with a style characterized as roots-infused Native Americana with hits of bluegrass, folk, blues, and rock. Along with his life partner, Celeste Di Iorio, who has her own history with dance, theater, and music, they are the Cary Morin Duo. Tickets are $25.
  • Monthly Member Night: So Long to Summer – Aug. 21, 5–8 p.m., Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (408 Mason Ct.)
    • Museum members are invited to enjoy an evening of activities featured in the Museum Explorer Camps, have a dance party, create some fun crafts, and sing karaoke in the Dome Theater! Registration is encouraged.
  • Women's History Presentation – Aug. 26, 7–8:45 p.m. (doors open at 6:30), Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Digital Dome Theater (408 Mason Ct.)
    • Celebrate Women’s Equality Day by sharing stories and photographs of notable Fort Collins women. Join the FCMoD Archive and Collections staff as they highlight the paths of many local luminaries for an inspirational evening full of historic images, audio recordings, and fascinating information presented in the immersive OtterBox Digital Dome Theater. Historic Preservation Services staff will also be presenting a virtual “walking” tour of historic sites related to Women’s Suffrage in Fort Collins. Additional info and pay-what-you-can tickets are available for this limited capacity event on the FCMoD event page.

Aug. 1 is Colorado Day! This holiday marks the date of Colorado’s statehood on Aug. 1, 1876. This year is especially significant, with Colorado’s 150th anniversary coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary. Colorado is the only state commemorating these sister celebrations, giving us a special opportunity to reflect on our shared past. Let’s look at some of our Fort Collins Landmarks that were around when Colorado became a state in 1876.

• Janis Cabin – 200 Mathews St. (1858)
• Antoine Janis founded the town of Colona (Laporte) in 1858, where he built this log cabin. His wife, First Elk Woman (“Mary”) of the Oglala Sioux tribe was forced by federal order to move to an Indian reservation in 1878, and so Janis sold his cabin to live with her. Relocated, this cabin is now in the Heritage Courtyard.
• Stone Cabin – 200 Mathews St. (1864)
• Known as the “founding mother” of Fort Collins, Elizabeth “Auntie” Stone came to Fort Collins when it was a military post and built this cabin, which served as a mess hall, hotel and school. It is the only surviving structure from the original fort. Stone was known a respectable businesswoman, and she advocated causes like women’s suffrage throughout her life in Fort Collins. Relocated, this cabin is now in the Heritage Courtyard.
• Coy Barn – 1075 Woodward Way (1866)
• John and Emily Coy arrived in Fort Collins by wagon in 1862 and filed a homestead claim, establishing a farm at this location. The barn they built, a stone and beam structure, is likely the oldest barn still standing in northern Colorado.
• First Public School and Catholic Church – 115 Riverside Ave. (1870)
• In 1870, a movement among Fort Collins residents raised funds to build a dedicated schoolhouse. This building served that purpose until 1897, when it became the first Catholic church in Fort Collins. In 1901, St. Joseph’s Church was built, and this building became a residence, which it remains today.
• McHugh-Andrews House – 202 Remington St. (1872)
• This house was designed by locally renowned architect Montezuma Fuller and built by local stone mason Lars Kemoe. It is named for Dr. Peter McHugh, who used the carriage house as a private hospital, and Jesse Harris, a nationally respected horse breeder, both Fort Collins mayors.
• Brown Farmhouse – 2513 W. Prospect Rd. (1876)
• Built by Judge Jay Bouton in 1876, this farmhouse is recognized for its association with local agricultural development. Around 1920, Jim and LoVina Brown took over operation of the farm on this property. Leaders in the sheep feeding industry, the Browns ran their farm here until 1984.

These Landmarks witnessed Colorado becoming a state in 1876 – But our story as a community did not end there. What places in Fort Collins matter to you? Where is your story told?

(Photo: Auntie Stone's Cabin, c. 1909, FCMoD, H04569)

Next Work Session: Aug. 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., in person at City Hall (300 Laporte Ave., Council Chambers). Public may attend, but no public participation occurs at work sessions.

Next Regular Meeting: Aug. 19, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., in person at City Hall (300 Laporte Ave., Council Chambers) or virtually via Zoom. Public may attend and provide comment.

Agenda:

• Consent Agenda
  • Minutes of May 20, 2026
• Discussion Agenda: 
  • Staff Activities Report
  • Landmark Ordinance Amendments (718 W. Mountain Ave.; 1006 Laporte Ave.)
  • Window/Door Design Review Policy Draft Review
  • Landscape Design Review Policy Draft Review

Surveys in Progress:
We are currently researching the following properties to determine if they are eligible to be Fort Collins Landmarks in association with a current development review application. Determinations of eligibility are based on the best available information today and are valid for five years. Members of the public with information regarding the history of these properties should contact Historic Preservation Services as soon as possible at Preservation@FortCollins.gov.

• 421 Edwards St., c.1898 residence, demolition proposed for new duplex
• 2407 W Drake, c.1910 farmhouse and 1920 barn, demolition proposed for affordable housing
• 2411 W. Drake, c.1970s residence and garage, demolition proposed for affordable housing
• 400-404 Linden St. (El Burrito), c.1947 Warehouse/commercial - Due diligence, no planned development

Recent Survey Results: 

• 811 E. Myrtle St., c. 1950 care facility – City acquisition due diligence – Not Landmark Eligible; Issued June 23
• 228 W. Magnolia St., 1905 6-plex – Research for future development planning – Landmark Eligible; Issued June 24
• 635 S. Mason St., 1901 triplex – Due diligence, no planned development – Landmark Eligible; Issued June 18 – Appealed, hearing date Dec. 16 (tentative)
• 331 N. Loomis Ave. - c. 1903 residence - Project planning for potential subdivision application – Landmark Eligible – Issued May 21, 2026
• 2112 E. Harmony Rd. – Harmony School and Teacherage (Landmark property designated 1997) – Survey for future project planning – Teacherage on property found to be Eligible/Contributing to Landmark property – Issued April 23, 2026

The City of Fort Collins requires public notification prior to the demolition of single-unit residences over 50 years of age, and we also provide notice on standalone demolition applications for commercial properties. These notifications occur to inform the community of a potential change coming to their neighborhood and because certain groups can nominate a property for Landmark designation against the wishes of a property owner under Municipal Code Sec. 14-31 (the HPC by motion, a City Councilmember by written request, or three residents together by petition). Public noticing is considered complete the day after the HPC meeting for which it is noticed. Written public comments can be submitted to Preservation@FortCollins.gov up to 48 hours prior to the HPC meeting for inclusion with the meeting packet. These notifications appear on the commission's discussion agenda, and an opportunity for spoken public comment will also be provided at the meeting. Visit the recently updated Single-Unit Dwelling Demolition Notification webpage for more detailed information on this process.

Active Demolition Notices:

• None

Recently Completed Demolition Notices:

• 719 Stover St., built 1926 (no public comment at Aug. 20, 2025 HPC Meeting; no action taken by HPC)
• Standalone Demolition Notification (demo of property owned by City located outside of city limits) - 3624 E. Mulberry St. (Baker-Miller-Kath-Greager Property), built c. 1900 (no public comment at Aug. 20, 2025 HPC Meeting; no action taken by HPC)
• Standalone Demolition Notification (demo of commercial property with no development currently proposed) - 1513 N. College Ave. (K-Bar-D/Budget Host Motel), built 1946-1973, multiple buildings (1 public comment supporting proposed demolition at Nov. 19, 2025 HPC meeting; approval recommended by HPC to the decision-maker, the Chief Building Official, due to the extent of methamphetamine contamination)
• 1617 Person Ct., built c. 1947 (no public comment at Aug. 20, 2025 HPC Meeting; no action taken by HPC)
• 408 N. Loomis Ave., built c. 1906 (no public comment at May 21, 2025 HPC Meeting; no action taken by HPC)

With the Colorado Building in the background to the right, a horse and buggy traveled down College Avenue in 1964 to celebrate another anniversary, the centennial of the establishment of Fort Collins.

"Camp Collins" was built in 1862 to protect the Cherokee Trail and Overland Stage Line. In 1864, a devastating flood swept through the military camp. On Aug. 20, 1864, Colonel William O. Collins signed an order setting aside the present location of Fort Collins to rebuild. For that reason, Aug. 20 is considered the birthdate of Fort Collins.

(Photo: "Carriage in 1964 Parade," FCMoD, H03923)