The United States doesn't have enough of any housing type. All sorts of historic buildings can be successfully converted to residential use to help increase the housing supply, including large office buildings, schools, churches, hospitals and more.

• Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month! Learn more about Latiné/Hispanic history in Fort Collins.
• 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 Court.)
  • This sister event to the 2026 Historic Homes Tour sets the stage for the tour. What we call our home, and how we think about home, takes many forms and an 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.
• 2026 Historic Homes Tour – Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Poudre Landmarks Foundation invites you to the Historic Homes Tour! Produced in partnership with the City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation Services, this year's tour features eight historic properties, including four private residences. Tickets and more info are available on the event page.
• Celebrate Bette Sears Bike Lane Appreciation Day! Sears led a petition initiative that led to our first bike lanes in Fort Collins in 1970. Commemorate her legacy by attending the proclamation at the Sept. 15 City Council meeting. 
  • Continue the celebration of bike history with Wheel Story: A Bike History Tour on Sept. 24, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Join City staff for a ride through bike history, learning about the early history of bikes in Fort Collins, how bike infrastructure has changed and how community advocates like Bette Sears helped push for safer streets and more transportation options in town. For more details and registration, visit the event page.
• Beyond Latex: Using Traditional Finishes to Maintain Wood – Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Deep Roots Workshop (1409 E. Olive Court, Unit H)
  • Join Deep Roots Craftsmen for a hands-on and classroom-based workshop exploring traditional wood finishes! More info and registration available online.

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

Date: Aug. 19, 2026

• Consent Agenda (APPROVED, 7-0)
  • Minutes of May 20, 2026
• Discussion Agenda: 
  • Staff Activities Report
  • Landmark Ordinance Amendments, 718 W. Mountain Ave.; 1006 Laporte Ave. (RESOLUTIONS 1 AND 2, 2026, APPROVED SUPPORTING AMENDMENTS, 7-0)  
  • Window/Door Design Review Policy Draft Review (CONTINUED TO SEPT. 16 MEETING)
  • Landscape Design Review Policy Draft Review (CONTINUED TO SEPT. 16 MEETING)

• 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:
  • Larimer County Knowledge Break Series – Prepared and Resilient: Creating Your Disaster Plan – Sept. 10, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Digital Dome Theater (408 Mason Court)
    • Join the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management for an engaging look at how emergency managers protect life and safety during a crisis, coordinate logistics and lead long-term community recovery, then learn how simple actions today prepare us for tomorrow through practical guidance to safeguard your home and family. Bring a charged mobile device to participate in the live Kahoot game! Reserve your spot today.
  • Handwriting the Constitution, Session 1 – Sept. 14, 6–8 p.m., Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (408 Mason Court)
    • This social art project began in 2017 by artist Morgan O'Hara, encouraging people to know their rights, deepen their understanding of laws protecting those rights and to help resist negative thinking. Copies of the Constitution, pens, and paper will be provided, but feel free to bring your favorite writing utensils and notebook. Pay-what-you-can registration is available online.
    • Session two will be held Sept. 28, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (408 Mason Court)
  • Courtyard Open House: Auntie Stone's Birthday! – Sept. 26, time TBA, Heritage Courtyard (200 Mathews St.)
    • This month, we're celebrating the 225th birthday of "Auntie" Elizabeth Stone! Join in the fun for treats, crafts and more in and around her cabin, the only remaining building from the Fort Collins military post days. Auntie Stone was known for her high energy and love of dancing; celebrate by making your very own "Dancy" Stone paper doll! Registration coming soon.

When Council established this committee in March 2026, it began to explore prioritization of strategies that can best support housing affordability in our community. While this goal requires inputs and updates from many departments across the City organization, it will also include land use code and historic preservation requirements. Monthly meeting materials and information about joining virtually or in person are available on the committee webpage, and summary information about their progress can be found on Our City Fort Collins. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 7, 2026.

313 N. Meldrum St. - The Emma Malaby Grocery Property

Year built: 1881 (grocery); 1916 (grocery addition and barn)
Year Landmarked: 2023

The false-front store on this property was constructed in 1881 by builder Hiram Pierce for George T. Wilkins. Wilkins was a notable photographer whose portraits are held in the Local History Archive at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery today. His store was originally located in what is now the 100 Block of North College Avenue. In 1906, the store building was moved by Frank Collamer to its current location on North Meldrum Street. The grocery opened in early 1907, selling goods such as hay, feed, coal, wood, flour, sugar and cigars. In 1916, the Collamer family expanded the store with an ell-shaped addition and constructed the barn on the property. The grocery business was primarily run by Frank Collamer’s daughters, including Emma Malaby, who operated the grocery for over twenty years. Emma also briefly ran a resale business out of the back of the addition. Throughout the years, members of the Collamer family also operated other businesses from this property, such as a wood yard and antique shop. The property passed to different descendants of the Collamer family over time, most recently Jim Burrill. Mr. Burrill donated the property to Historic Larimer County.

The Emma Malaby Grocery is recognized as a Landmark under all four standards of significance. It is related to important historic events/trends as a grocery store within a residential setting established prior to World War II, and it is also associated with women’s history in business through multiple women in the Collamer family, including Minerva Stoneburner and Emma Malaby and their other sisters. This property is also associated with notable persons/groups, including early photographer G.T. Wilkins and the Collamer family, who have been involved in Fort Collins religious, social, and political life for well over a century. Representing significant design/construction, this property contains one of three remaining false-front stores in Fort Collins; a stacked-plank shed, one of only two remaining examples of stacked-plank construction in Fort Collins; and a rare example of a barn original to and remaining in the boundaries of Fort Collins’s original plat. Lastly, because there is known to be a combined salvage yard and wood pile between the grocery building and barn, because of the presence of a stone-lined well that was filled in prior to 1980, and because of the likely location of a privy pit on this site, this property additionally has potential to yield historical archaeological information related to life in the early to mid-twentieth century.

Historic Larimer County recently undertook a substantial rehabilitation project for this property, including the installation of a new roof using a fire and hail resistant material that simulates the appearance of wood shingles as well as important structural support work. Congrats, HLC! You can stop by to see these improvements for yourself—The Emma Malaby Grocery will be featured during the Historic Homes Tour Sept. 12.

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 Aug. 19, 2026
• Discussion Agenda: 
  • Staff Activities Report
  • 635 S. Mason St. – Appeal of Determination of Eligibility
  • 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 Rd., c.1910 farmhouse and 1920 barn, demolition proposed for affordable housing
• 2411 W. Drake Rd., c.1970s residence and garage, demolition proposed for affordable housing
• 920 S. Overland Trail, c.1898 farmhouse, demolition proposed for new cafe.
• 2000 S. Overland Trail, Willow Lane Clubhouse, c.1974, due diligence for asset management

Recent Survey Results: 

• 400-404 Linden St. (El Burrito), c.1947 Warehouse/commercial - Owner requested survey – Landmark Eligible; Issued Aug. 26
• 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 Sept. 16
• 331 N. Loomis Ave. - c. 1903 residence - Project planning for potential subdivision application – Landmark Eligible – Issued May 21, 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 Court, 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)

If you are planning to attend Poudre Landmarks Foundation's Historic Homes Tour, you'll be visiting the historic Avery House at 328 W. Mountain Ave.

This interior photo of the Avery House, taken around 1900, shows the members of the Cooking Club and their escorts. A group of girls, including Ethel and Claire Avery, established the club around 1894. A decade later, the members of the Cooking Club, then in their adulthood, continued to meet and reminisce over delicious multi-course meals ("In Society's Realm," The Weekly Courier, Jan. 20, 1904).

(Photo: "The Cooking Club at Avery House," FCMoD, H07507)