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; Central School was demolished. Out of this destruction rose the urgency for a legal mechanism which would evaluate historic sites. In 1974, Boulder’s Landmarks Preservation Ordinance was passed and shortly after, the inventory of significant sites began. A county landmark regulation allowing the landmarking of sites in Boulder County passed in 1992 and was the first regulation of its kind in Colorado.
Historic Boulder is proud of its role in creating historic districts, advocating for the landmarking of significant structures and exploring sites for future preservation. As the first permanent preservation organization in the city, Historic Boulder continues to champion the preservation of the physical reminders of Boulder’s heritage.
