Passed in 1966, the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) established a program for preserving historic and cultural resources in the US. It also created a system and process for federal agencies to consult with relevant people and groups to identify and protect historically and culturally significant places across the country. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has released proposed changes to the NHPA that would fundamentally change how such consultation and consideration of impacts on historic properties can occur.

• Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month! Learn more about Latiné/Hispanic history in Fort Collins.
• October is LGBTQ+ History Month! Learn more about LBGTQ+ history in Fort Collins.
  • NoCo Pride – Oct. 3, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fort Collins Senior Center (1200 Raintree Dr.)
    • Northern Colorado Equality invites you to enjoy live entertainment from local artists, food trucks, local artists exhibiting LGBTQ+ history, vendors, a kids corner, community-building opportunities and more! For additional details, visit the event page.
  • We've Been Here the Whole Time: Fort Collins Queer History – Oct. 12, 6:30–8 p.m., Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Digital Dome Theater (408 Mason Court)
    • Kick off LGBTQ+ History Month and journey into a past before rainbows and pride flags. Since the 1800s, queer Fort Collins residents have defied gender norms, established businesses, demanded equal rights and danced into the night surrounded by friends and allies. Reserve your ticket to discover the history and places of Fort Collins queer community during this free presentation from Rebekah Schields, Historic Preservation Services, at the Digital Dome Theater.
  • Queer History Show and Share Event – Oct. 23, 5–6:30 p.m., Fort Collins Senior Center (1200 Raintree Dr.)
    • City of Fort Collins Recreation and Historic Preservation Services invite community members to bring an object, photo, memento, story or memory that represents a meaningful part of their experience as an LGBTQIA+ person in our community. Maybe it's an old Pride tee, a flyer from an event, a favorite keepsake, or simply a story of a place or person that mattered to you. There's no right or wrong thing to bring, and no pressure to bring anything at all. This relaxed, low-pressure gathering will focus on connection, storytelling, and celebrating the many person experiences that make up our shared queer history. All ages welcome!

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: Sept. 16, 2026

• Consent Agenda (Draft minutes not available, vote postponed to October)
  • Minutes of Aug. 19, 2026
• Discussion Agenda: 
  • Staff Activities Report
  • 635 S. Mason St. – Appeal of Determination of Eligibility (NOT LANDMARK ELIGIBLE; MOTION TO FIND ELIGIBLE FAILED 4-4)
  • Window/Door Design Review Policy Draft Review (APPROVED 8-0)
  • Landscape Design Review Policy Draft Review (APPROVED 8-0)

• 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:
  • Handwriting the Constitution, Session three – Oct. 12, 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 four will be held Oct. 26, 6–8 p.m., Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (408 Mason Court)

229 N. Sherwood St. - The William Lopez Property

Year built: 1925

The brick house at 229 N. Sherwood St. was the long-time home of one of Fort Collins's community leaders, William "Bill" Lopez. He lived here with his wife, Delphine, and their children from 1954 until his death in 1979; Delphine sold the property in 2014. Lopez graduated from Laporte High School and Colorado A&M, now CSU, in 1950 with degrees in history, sociology, economics, and a minor in Spanish. In 1951, he became the first Mexican American educator employed by Poudre School District. His work was foundational to building the district's foreign language program. He was recognized as the state and nation's outstanding teacher of the year by the National Federation of Women's Clubs in 1958, highlighting especially his "unusual perception and understanding of children."

Throughout his life, Lopez also worked to amplify Hispanic/Latiné voices, served the community, and advocated for civil rights. Campaigning to represent the Spanish-speaking residents of the city, Lopez was elected to the Fort Collins City Council from 1968–1972. His continued advocacy helped to ensure the extension of water and sewer utilities to the Alta Vista, Buckingham and Andersonville neighborhoods, a Designing Tomorrow Today priority. He shined a light on the discrimination that many Hispanic/Latiné community members endured; Poudre School District Board member Louis Brown remarked that Lopez, "in a quiet and effective manner . . . helped erase [the white trade only signs]," as demonstrated by his 1945 letter to the Coloradoan. In 1969, Lopez, with others including Richard Maxwell and Joe Gutierrez, founded a local League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) chapter in 1969; that organization challenged authorities on issues of school, employment and housing discrimination and also engaged in the work of community building. In 1974, Lopez was selected by the governor to serve as a County Commissioner. Through that role, Lopez worked closely with Larimer County Social Services and also aided in the recovery from the 1976 Big Thompson Flood. Lopez received a posthumous achievement award in 2024 from CSU's El Centro to honor his legacy as a Hispanic civil rights leader.

The William Lopez Property at 229 N. Sherwood St. is located in the Holy Family Neighborhood. This area is roughly bounded by the Poudre River, Howes Street, Laporte Avenue and Shields Street. By about 1930, it had become a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. Historic Preservation Services just applied for a grant from the State Historical Fund to document the history of this area. If funded, a historic context report will be created based on in-depth research and oral histories and memories shared by current and former residents of the Holy Family neighborhood. Grant awards will likely be announced in December. If you have information about the Holy Family neighborhood or are interested in contributing to this project as a community member, please contact us at preservation@fortcollins.gov. 

(Photo: 229 N. Sherwood St., 2024, HPS.)

Next Work Session: Oct. 14, 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: Oct. 21, 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
  • 2027 HPC Work Plan Adoption
  • Policy Consideration: Providing Predictability for Modification of Standards Requests within Development Review Application that include Landmark Eligible Properties

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.

• 638 S Sherwood St., c. 1963 commercial building - Due diligence, no current project proposed
• 2738 Leisure Dr., c. 1971 duplex - Due diligence for affordable housing, no current planned development
• 2748 Leisure Dr., c. 1971 apartment building - Due diligence for affordable housing, no current planned development
• 2756 Leisure Dr., c. 1971 apartment building - Due diligence for affordable housing, no current planned development
• 2700-2704 Leisure Dr., c. 1971 triplex - Due diligence for affordable housing, no current planned development
• 2705-2711 Leisure Dr., c. 1970 apartment building - Due diligence for affordable housing, no current planned development
• 2706-2710 Leisure Dr., c. 1971 triplex - Due diligence for affordable housing, no current planned development
• 2209 W. Elizabeth St., 1969 apartment building - Due diligence for affordable housing, no current planned development
• 2217 W. Elizabeth St., c. 1970 apartment building - Due diligence for affordable housing, no current planned development

Recent Survey Results: 

• 615 Cowan St., 1904 residence – Due diligence for affordable housing, no planned development – Not Landmark Eligible; Issued Sept. 23, 2026
• 421 Edwards St., c.1898 residence, demolition proposed for new duplex – Not Landmark Eligible; Issued Sept. 23, 2026
• 2000 S. Overland Trl., Willow Lane Clubhouse, c.1974, due diligence for asset management – Not Landmark Eligible; Issued Sept. 18
• 920 S. Overland Tr., c.1898 farmhouse, demolition proposed for new café – Not Landmark Eligible; Issued Sept. 17
• 400-404 Linden St. (El Burrito), c.1947 Warehouse/commercial - Owner requested survey – Landmark Eligible; Issued Aug. 26; Appealed, HPC hearing date TBD

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)

On Halloween 1968, "several Fort Collins youngsters calling at 1109 Williams Street . . . 'forgot' to stick around for the handing out of treats when they were greeted at the front door by Dracula (alias Dr. William Leith). Leith greeted tricks and treaters by rising from a wood coffin situated in the proper surroundings."

Dr. Leith's home at 1109 Williams St. is in University Acres, a midcentury neighborhood that sits on land that previously served as an experimental farm for Colorado A&M (now CSU). Beginning in 1957, local realtor Mae Tiley and her son, Bill, partnered with businessman Bill Everitt and his father, Les, to purchase and develop the farm property into the subdivision of University Acres. 1109 Williams St. was constructed in 1965 by builder R.W. Scheller.

(Photo: Joel Draut, "Dracula Arrives for Halloween," Coloradoan, Nov. 1, 1968.)