CURRENT ISSUES

VOTE NO ON THE GOVERNOR’S SURVEY HERE Historic Denver Believes the Governor’s Objectives are Admirable and Achievable – But on the Ground Not in the Sky In early 2024, Historic Denver learned of the State’s intention to build a bridge symbolically connecting the State land of the Capitol grounds with City-owned Civic Center, “bridging City…

Cathedral High School’s Uncertain Future Once hailed as a hopeful model for adaptive reuse, the Cathedral High School campus in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood now sits boarded, broken, and neglected. Built in 1921 and designed by architect Harry J. Manning, the Spanish Renaissance Revival complex—home to a Catholic high school, convent, and later a crisis shelter…

A Unique, Industrial Historic Site Situated in an industrial corridor near the South Platte River and 1-25, the Burnham Yard property recently changed hands following more than a century of ownership by major railroads. Full plans for the site and its historic buildings are not yet developed. Historic Denver hopes to see its historic buildings…

Time is Running Out for the Zuni Steam Plant Update: Landmark Designation Application Submitted In March 2025, Historic Denver and community members formally submitted a landmark designation application for the Zuni Steam Plant, located at 13th and Zuni Street, to protect it from potential demolition. The move comes after Xcel Energy announced…

50 Actions for 50 Places Plaques Installed Progress continues on many of our 50 Action for 50 Places sites. After our community nominated 50 sites with special meaning to the city of Denver, which had not previously received preservation attention, we have been hard at work finding preservation actions for each site. Earlier this month…

Opposing Demolition of 1600 & 1618 East Colfax Avenue 1600 and 1618 East Colfax have been unoccupied for five years, with little attempt made by the owner of the buildings to secure and maintain them. In March 2024, a fire broke out in 1600 East Colfax, damaging the interior. 1618 East Colfax was largely unharmed….

New Logo, Renewed Commitment   Historic Denver launched its first new logo in over 30 years, the fourth in the non-profit’s 54-year history. Historic Denver President & CEO John Deffenbaugh, said: “Inspired by the shape of the city itself, the logo is intended to show that Historic Denver exists to champion the stories of…

UPDATE: Historic Denver and Monfort Companies Reach Compromise to Preserve Portion of Former El Chapultepec Building at 1962 Market Historic Denver and Monfort Companies are pleased to announce a significant step forward in the redevelopment of the former El Chapultepec building at 1962 Market Street. Following a series of productive meetings over the past three…

Update After searching for a prospective buyer for this property, unfortunately none was found. It is the current plan for the building to replaced with a new residence, and our hope is the new building will reflect some of the area’s wonderful past. Calling All Prospective Home Buyers The former home of Harry Huffman, a…

Historic Denver names John Deffenbaugh new CEO Historic Denver, Inc. today named John Deffenbaugh its president and CEO. Deffenbaugh will oversee advocacy and operations for the 53-year-old nonprofit and its flagship property, the Molly Brown House Museum. Deffenbaugh brings nearly 20 years of experience on architectural, urban and creative design projects in the United States…

Mayor and Council Candidates on Preservation, Growth The 2023 municipal election is upon us, with ballots due by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4. Historic Denver does not endorse any candidate. However, we are keenly aware of the influence a mayor and city council members can have on policies related to our built environment and…

1902 Building Designed By Architects of Denver Union Station to Become Local Landmark In February 2023, three City Park West residents applied to designate the Dutch Colonial Revival mansion at 1741 Gaylord St. as a landmark, following the real estate developer/owner’s request for a certificate of demolition eligibility from the city. The residents applied for…