Historic Preservation works with the community to protect the places that tell Fort Collins’ story over time — from historic homes and architecture to neighborhood landmarks. We help property owners with technical support, funding options and clear review processes, and we encourage creative ways to reuse historic buildings.
Preserving and reusing old buildings saves energy and materials, supports local jobs and small businesses, maintains property values and keeps our community’s history and character alive.
Since 1968, Fort Collins has recognized and protected hundreds of City Landmarks and several Landmark Districts. Our work follows City Council priorities, state and federal standards, City Code and adopted City Plans. As a Certified Local Government (CLG), our program supports the statewide preservation plan. This designation gives our community access to technical help and funding for preservation projects.
Historic Property Resources
Historic Review Notifications and Decisions
A historic property can be any building, site or object with a meaningful connection to Fort Collins’ history — such as ties to important people, events or architectural design. Landmarking a property can happen at the local, state or national level. Properties may be recognized individually or as part of a historic district, where each “contributing” building helps tell the district’s story. Not every eligible property is officially designated; owners of unlisted eligible properties may still have responsibilities.
If you’re not sure about your property’s historic status, check out our map below or contact us to request a historic survey.
Explore the Historic Resources Map
Applications and Guidelines
Historic Preservation Services offers guidance and support for owners caring for historic properties or those exploring landmark designation. Learn what historic status means, how to apply for incentives and what review processes apply to exterior work of any kind on the property.
Applications and Resources
Historic Preservation documents are provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading these documents, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fcgov.com or phone: 970-416-4254.
Historic properties can be recognized at the local, state or federal level, depending on their significance. Each level has different requirements and benefits for property owners. All historic properties reflect a portion of our community's history, which you can explore below.
Fort Collins Landmarks and Landmark Districts are designated by Fort Collins City Council for their historic or architectural significance and are protected by ordinance. Owners of these properties must complete landmark design review for most exterior projects, as required by Chapter 14 of the Municipal Code. Qualified work on designated properties is eligible for financial incentives including tax credits, grants and loans. Check out this quick reference sheet for options(PDF, 464KB).
Our History: Full Story Fort Collins
Learn about our local history, architecture and current historic research projects.
Link available soon.
Individual Landmarks
A Fort Collins Landmark is a site, building, structure, or object officially designated by City Council for its historical significance. The landmark ordinance protects its exterior to preserve its visual link to the past. Landmarks may be recognized for their ties to important events, people, design, construction, culture or archaeology.
New landmarks are designated each year. Since 1971 Fort Collins has designated 247 properties as individual landmarks. Find them on our Historic Resources Map.
You can research individual properties and learn more about Fort Collins’ history through the Fort Collins History Connection, a partnership between the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and the Poudre River Public Library District. Contact us to request a Research Guide.
Old Town Landmark District
In 1979, City Council passed ordinance No. 170 declaring the Old Town area a local historic district. The district includes the core area representing Fort Collins' early business and commercial history and architectural development, including landmarks like the Linden Hotel, Northern Hotel and the Avery Block.
Properties in the Old Town Landmark District are also subject to adopted Old Town Historic District Design Standards(PDF, 5MB).
Map of the Old Town Landmark District.
Sheely Drive Landmark District
With its innovative architecture and its association with some of Fort Collins' prominent business and civic leaders in the mid-1900s, Sheely Drive is a small historic district off of West Prospect Road comprised of eleven mid-century Modern homes. Landmark designation was received in 2000 under ordinance No.12.
Contact Historic Preservation to request a copy of the Sheely Drive Landmark District nomination forms and informational brochures.
Map of Sheely Drive Landmark District
Whitcomb Street Landmark District
Designated in 2013, this historic district includes thirteen historic homes from the original 1873 plat and the Loomis Addition. These homes reflect Fort Collins' early residential development and are currently the only local historic district in the City preserving the community's 19th and early-20th Century homes via City ordinance.
Contact Historic Preservation to request a copy of the Whitcomb Street Landmark District nomination forms.
State and national historic listings - including the Colorado State Register of Historic Places, the National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks program - recognize properties significant to Colorado and the nation. These listings are mostly honorary but may affect development review and advisory processes. Fort Collins has two National Register historic districts and more than 800 properties listed on the State or National Registers.
National Register Historic Districts
Old Town National Register Historic District - Added to the National Register in 1978, this listing includes the oldest portions of the City's commercial and business history and architecture and includes the commercial core of early Fort Collins anchored by Linden and Walnut Streets, extending northeast of Jefferson Street to include some of Fort Collins' early railroad and industrial buildings.
Laurel School National Register Historic District - Designated in 1980, this largest historic district recognizes the early architecture and community development from the 1870s through 1930s. Many individual properties in this district are designated City Landmarks.
As a part of our work in Historic Preservation, we document what we learn from our community through historical research and community involvement.
The reports below highlight important stories from Fort Collins' past and how they shape our community today:
Asian American History in Fort Collins(PDF, 727KB)
Black History in Fort Collins(PDF, 1MB) (and walking tour guide(PDF, 1MB))
Civil Rights History in Fort Collins(PDF, 278KB)
Hispanic and Latine History in Fort Collins(PDF, 936KB) (and walking tour guide(PDF, 1MB))
Indigenous History in Fort Collins(PDF, 1MB)
Jewish Americans in Fort Collins(PDF, 839KB) (and walking tour guide(PDF, 654KB))
PRIDE in Fort Collins(PDF, 1MB) (and walking tour guide(PDF, 2MB))
Transit History in Fort Collins(PDF, 728KB)
William B. Robb Historical Profile(PDF, 2MB)
Women's Suffrage in Fort Collins(PDF, 859KB) (and walking tour guide(PDF, 812KB))
We're committed to ensuring that all our documents are accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulties accessing, viewing or reading the PDFs linked on this webpage, contact our ADA Coordinator at adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or at 970-416-4254 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.