On this page you'll find resources and information to support historic property owners and those seeking possible historic designation.
Historic Preservation Services, in partnership with the Historic Preservation Commission, helps protect Fort Collins’ historic resources and enforces preservation requirements in the City Code and Land Use Code.
We can help you:
- Check if a property is historic or in a historic district
- Learn how to apply for historic designation
- Understand designation before buying or renovating a property
- Navigate the historic review process
- Explore financial incentives and research tools for historic properties
Historic Preservation
Historic Review Notifications and Decisions
These documents on these pages are provided for printing purposes. For assistance viewing or reading these documents, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254.
Historic designation means a property has been officially recognized for its historic, architectural or cultural value. Designation may make properties eligible for financial incentives but also subject to special review requirements.
Historic districts include groups of properties connected by shared history or architecture. Properties in a district are classified as individually eligible, contributing or noncontributing, based on their significance and integrity.
Landmark designation recognizes your property’s historic value, supports the long-term health of your neighborhood and helps the environment by conserving existing buildings.
Nominating your property as a Landmark requires the following steps:
- Complete the forms. Fill out the Landmark Nomination Form(PDF, 316KB) and Character-Defining Features Worksheet(PDF, 234KB) to show how your property meets the City’s Landmark requirements (Municipal Code Chapter 14, Article II). You’ll also need to sign and notarize the Owner Agreement for Landmark nominations.
- Submit your paperwork. Send your completed materials to preservation@fortcollins.gov or drop them off in person at 281 N. College Ave.
- City review. Staff will review your nomination and, if needed, complete a historic survey to confirm that your property meets Landmark requirements.
- Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) review. If your property is eligible, staff will schedule your nomination for the next available HPC meeting. If the Commission agrees the property qualifies, it will pass a resolution recommending designation to City Council.
- City Council approval. City Council reviews the nomination during two meetings. If approved, the Landmark Ordinance is recorded with the County Clerk and takes effect 10 days after approval.
For information on the process, please contact staff at preservation@fortcollins.gov or 970-224-6078.
All work on historic properties is reviewed based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines.
Properties in the Old Town Historic District are also subject to the adopted Old Town Historic District Design Standards(PDF, 5MB).
Local policies and guidelines related to common historic rehab projects are available for painting masonry, solar panels and roofing.
Contact us at preservation@fortcollins.gov or 970-224-6078 to learn more about specific local policies and guidelines and how to plan for a successful rehab project that meets City code requirements.
Most exterior work on a Landmark property is required to undergo a Landmark Design Review process and receive a Certificate of Appropriateness, which documents conformance with regulations and approval, prior to work beginning. In most cases, projects are reviewed using the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation in addition to any relevant design standards.
If you are planning exterior work on your historic property, contact staff at preservation@fortcollins.gov or 970-224-6078 to schedule a pre-application meeting for initial project feedback and Design Review process information.
Landmark Design Review begins when we receive a project application.
Depending on the nature of proposed alterations, review is conducted by staff or the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). Contact staff at preservation@fortcollins.gov to confirm if your project requires HPC review and the submission deadline. The HPC meets on the third Wednesday of every month.
What documentation is required during this process?
Your application should include the following:
- Detailed Description: Describe the existing condition of the work area(s) and the project proposed.
- Photos: Photos of each side of the building and close-up photos of the work area(s)
- Material Information: Product specification sheets, links, or detailed description of any materials proposed for use.
- Plans/Drawings: If applicable, include a site plan, building elevation drawings, landscape plan, etc.
- Other Attachments: Depending on the nature of your project, staff may request additional materials needed for project review, such as a mortar analysis or window study.
During or prior to the Design Review process, you may need to order a historic survey if the City does not have sufficient documentation.
What types of projects require Design Review?
Most exterior work on designated historic properties requires Design Review, such as demolition, exterior remodeling or material replacement, additions, or new construction. Interior changes and routine maintenance tasks such as weatherstripping windows and doors, repairing foundation cracks, or touching up existing paint usually do not require review. However, please note that even seemingly minor exterior work, such as changes to siding and windows, as well as exterior work that does not require a building permit, such as painting, is subject to review and requires the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness prior to work beginning. To confirm if review is required and for project planning guidance, contact us at preservation@fortcollins.gov before starting a new project.
Who conducts a Design Review and how long does it take?
In many cases, project proposals are simple and clearly meet the historic preservation regulations; these applications are reviewed by staff. In cases where proposed alterations are more significant or do not clearly meet the review standards, applications are reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission; this typically includes a Conceptual Landmark Design Review and a Final Landmark Design Review. The HPC meets on the third Wednesday of each month.
The duration of Landmark Design Review varies based on the complexity of a project. Very simple projects that clearly meet the historic preservation regulations can be reviewed in as little as a day, whereas more significant or complicated proposals can take multiple months to review. Project proposals that do not meet the historic preservation regulations require adjustments to bring them into regulatory conformance, which can increase the duration of review. Contact staff early in your project planning process for feedback on project concepts.
What incentives are available to help with historic preservation?
In addition to technical assistance from City staff, historic property owners in Fort Collins may be eligible for income tax credits for qualifying rehab work based on their property’s type of designation (local Landmark, State Register, National Register). These tax credit programs are administered by the State Historic Preservation Office and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade; visit History Colorado for additional details and application information.
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National
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Colorado State Historic Tax Credits
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- 20-25% of qualified rehabilitation expenses as credit that dollar-for-dollar reduces state income taxes owed
- Credits for projects for income-producing properties are transferable
- Owners/long-term tenants can apply
- Applies to both interior and exterior work
historycolorado.org/preservation-tax-credits
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Federal Historic Tax Credits
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- 20% of qualified rehabilitation expenses as credit to owner that dollar-for-dollar reduces federal income taxes owed
- Applies to both interior and exterior work
- National Park Service approves applications, but initiated through the State Historic Preservation Office (historycolorado.org/preservation-tax-credits)
- Federal credits can be taken together with State credits, as well as certain other federal tax incentives such as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) or New Markets Tax Credits (nps.gov/tps/tax-incentives/before-you-apply.htm)
*Income-producing properties only
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Historic Review is part of the City's Development Review process. Projects that affect designated or potentially historic properties must go through Historic Review during development review. This process allows for community feedback and helps property owners learn about preservation incentives.
Development Review FAQs
What is the purpose of the Historic Review process?
Historic Review helps protect Fort Collins’ architectural and cultural heritage by evaluating properties that may have historic or cultural significance before they’re altered or demolished.
When is Historic Review required for a property or project?
Historic Review is required whenever a property that’s 50 years old or older is proposed for demolition, exterior alteration, or relocation, or when new development may affect a historic resource.
How do I know if my property is considered historic or potentially historic?
Before starting the Conceptual Development Review process, you can use the City’s online map to check your property’s historic status.
Next, contact staff to confirm whether your property is officially designated or may qualify for historic consideration.
If your property’s historic status is unclear, a historic survey will be required during the Conceptual Review phase to determine eligibility for landmark designation before submitting a development review application.
What happens if a property is found to be historically significant?
If a property more than 50 years old is found to be eligible for landmark designation, staff will work with the applicant during the Development Review process to meet code requirements and explore options for preservation, adaptation or reuse.
Staff will also explain the benefits and responsibilities of voluntary designation at the local, state or federal level.
What criteria are used to determine whether a property is eligible for historic designation?
Typically, a property is evaluated using standards that consider age, integrity and significance:
- Age: In most cases, a property must be at least 50 years old to be considered historic, but age is not the only factor considered.
- Integrity: The property should still reflect its appearance from its period of significance — meaning its essential materials, design and setting remain intact.
- Significance: The property must have historical, architectural or cultural importance. This may include association with a notable person or event, representation of a distinctive architectural style or construction method, or contribution to the broader story of Fort Collins’ development.
These criteria are consistent with those used by the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties, ensuring local decisions align with recognized preservation standards. City staff reference these guidelines when determining whether a property qualifies for designation or further review.
The SUDDN process applies to proposed demolitions of single-unit homes that are more than 50 years old and not already designated as City Landmarks or part of a Landmark District.
This process ensures potentially significant historic or cultural resources are considered before demolition. It also gives community members official notification and the chance to pursue landmark designation before demolition proceeds.
Until SUDDN review is complete and approved, eligible parties may submit a landmark nomination under Section 14-31 of the Fort Collins Municipal Code.
How to start the SUDDN Process
Property owners can begin the Single-Unit Dwelling Demolition Notification (SUDDN) process by contacting Historic Preservation Services and submitting:
- A written request to initiate SUDDN
- Confirmation that the new construction will be a single-unit dwelling (with plans, if available)
- Photos of all sides of the house and any secondary structures to be demolished
What happens during the process?
Once initiated, the SUDDN process includes:
- Posting a Notice of Demolition sign on the property
- Listing on the City’s public notification list and in the City's relevant e-newsletters
- Direct notification to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) for discussion at their next meeting
At the HPC meeting, staff provide a summary of the property’s history and any survey results. Members of the public may speak about the demolition proposal. Until the process is complete, eligible parties — such as three or more Fort Collins residents, the HPC, or City Council — may initiate a Landmark nomination under Section 14-31 of City Code.
Completion, Timing and Exceptions
The SUDDN process concludes after the HPC meeting. If no landmark nomination is initiated, Historic Preservation staff may approve demolition permits the following day.
If the demolition permit expires or six months pass without permit issuance, the notification process must be repeated.
Secondary structures, mobile homes, and partial demolitions may be exempt or follow separate review rules under Chapter 14, Article IV of City Code.
Note: If the project doesn't keep at least one full exterior wall, it's considered a full demolition and this notice is required.
Researching your property can uncover who lived there, how it fits into Fort Collins’ history, and what makes it unique.
Our Property Research Guide can help you get started with local archives and online tools — whether you’re preparing a landmark nomination or just curious about your home’s past.