Saving What Matters: The Real Work Behind Historic Preservation in the San Luis Valley

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2026

San Luis Valley, Colorado — This May, in recognition of Historic Preservation Month, the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area is calling attention to the real, often challenging, and time-consuming work it takes to preserve the historic places that define life in the San Luis Valley.

From adobe homes in Antonito to aging storefronts along Main Streets in San Luis and Alamosa, and even long-standing landmarks like the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the Valley is rich with places that hold deep cultural and historical meaning. But many of these structures are showing their age—and saving them is not as simple as picking up tools and getting to work.

“In the San Luis Valley, we see buildings every day that people care deeply about—old homes, churches, schools—but many are in serious disrepair,” said Julie Chacon, Executive Director of the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area. “What most people don’t see is everything that has to happen before restoration can begin, especially funded through state and federal grants.”

Funding is another major barrier. Preservation projects often rely on a patchwork of grants, funding cycles, tax credits, and local support—none of which are guaranteed resulting in multiple phases of the projects. For small, rural communities, pulling together those resources can take significant time and coordination.

First is the historic designation of the historical property. For buildings that are deteriorating or structurally compromised, preservation starts with research—documenting history, ownership, and significance. From there, projects often require structural assessments, engineering reports, and coordination with preservation offices. If a property is being considered for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, that process alone can take months or even years to be nominated and eventually designated.

Next come the construction documents and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. This requires federal agencies to consider the effects, and possible adverse effects of the projects -undertakings involving federal and state funding, permits, or approval – on historic properties.  Research and documentation of the property which includes, gathering historic photographs, original blueprints, Sanborn maps, and previous Historic Structure Reports, and creating accurate, as-built measured drawings of the current property, including floor plans, elevations, and structural details.   Analysis and assessment of the properties physical state which consists of highlighting historic elements that must be preserved (e.g., original trim, masonry, windows), map all areas of deterioration, structural distress, or moisture damage, and conduct specialized testing if necessary (e.g., historic mortar analysis, paint stratigraphy).  Regulatory and compliance planning involves ensuring your plans align with preservation frameworks like the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and identifying how modern building, fire, and accessibility codes apply, negotiating variances or alternative compliance methods with your local historic preservation commission or building department.  Project design phases are the outline of the broad scope of work, proposing interventions (e.g., HVAC placement, structural repairs), and refining floor plans, selecting specific materials, and integrating mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. The final construction documents will produce the final, legally binding set of documents for bidding and permitting, detailed demolition plans, site/civil plans, architectural floor plans, and highly specific construction details (e.g., restoring a historic window or cornice), a compilation of written documents (the “specs”) outlining the exact quality of materials, standards of workmanship, and specialized historic treatment methods required, and signing off on the drawings stamped by architects and structural engineers who specialize in historic restoration before submitting for municipal permits.

Third, rehabilitation can begin. In the Valley, additional challenges come into play. Many historic structures are built of adobe, a traditional material that requires specialized knowledge to repair correctly. Weather conditions, limited local contractors with preservation experience, and the high cost of materials all add to the complexity.

Still, the work continues because the outcome matters.

“These places are more than buildings—they are part of family histories, cultural traditions, and community identity,” SdCNHA shared. “When we lose them, we lose a piece of who we are in the San Luis Valley.”

The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area works across southern Colorado to support preservation efforts through partnerships, education, and project development. By working with local residents, organizations, and agencies, the Heritage Area helps communities navigate the complex path from deterioration to preservation, as well as grant applications and grant administration.

During Historic Preservation Month, the organization encourages Valley residents to take a closer look at the places around them—not just for what they are today, but for what they represent and what it takes to keep them standing, also the patience of making sure these properties are properly preserved and protected.

“Preservation doesn’t happen overnight, but with patience, collaboration, and community support, it is possible to protect the places that make the San Luis Valley home.”

For more information or to get involved in local preservation efforts, visit sangreheritage.org or contact the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area.