Historic Boulder Inc

Historic Boulder was born following a battle to save precious pieces of Boulder’s past. Highland School, the Union-Pacific Depot and Central School were all threatened with demolition in 1971. Historic Boulder, organized in 1972, was instrumental in saving Highland School and the depot. Sadly, Central School was demolished. Out of this experience rose the urgency for a legal mechanism to protect historic sites. Historic Boulder drafted a historic preservation ordinance, which was unanimously voted into place by City Council in 1974. To this day, Historic Boulder advocates before the Landmarks Board and City Preservation Staff to support their mission to preserve and protect the historic, architectural, and environmental assets that contribute to Boulder’s unique sense of place.

Education is at the core of our public programming because an informed society is an empowered society. Our public programs below enable Historic Boulder to foster the spirit and promote the benefits of preservation:

• Lecture series for Preservation Month in May
• History Hikes and tours year round.
• Meet the Spirits historical reenactment at Columbia Cemetery every other October (Even years)
• Ghost Walk/Ghost Talk tour in October every other October (Odd years)
• Homes for the Holidays Tour of historic houses every December
• Walking tour Apps highlighting the history of early African Americans in Boulder, Mid-Century Modern Architecture and Historic Pearl Street.
• Boulder Histories Film Festival - partnering with the Colorado Chautauqua and Protect Our Past

Historic Boulder advocates both on behalf of historic structures and has standing to initiate local landmarking applications. Historic Boulder has successfully advocated for the landmarking of the Atrium Building, the Marpa House, the Dushanbe Teahouse (interior and exterior).

Historic Boulder holds easements on several buildings - commercial and homes - and maintains an easement inspection program to assure the maintenance of their historic features. We partnered with the Boulder Theater as fiscal sponsor for a major rehabilitation of it's iconic Art-Deco façade.

Historic Boulder is looking forward to celebrating it's 55th Anniversary in 2027 with special events.