About Us

The Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (OAHP) is a department of History Colorado, The Colorado Historical Society. History Colorado is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and an agency of the State of Colorado under the Department of Higher Education.  

The Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation administers and supports numerous preservation programs and initiatives across the state. OAHP houses the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), which administers the national historic preservation program at the state level by reviewing National Register of Historic Places nominations, maintaining data on historic properties, and consulting with Federal agencies during Section 106 review. OAHP is comprised of several internal divisions that share the work of operating our numerous preservation programs:

• The Office of the State Archaeologist  provides guidance relating to the identification, documentation, and protection of archaeological resources.

• The Preservation Planning unit assists with the nomination process for the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties, and administers the Certified Local Government program endorsed by the National Park Service. 

• The Intergovernmental Services unit coordinates the consultation process for section 106 and State Register Act reviews.

• The Information Management unit maintains the site and survey data that has been collected by the preservation programs that OAHP administers and disseminates that data to qualified researchers and consultants through multiple data access services.

The State Historic Fund (SHF), which operates in conjunction with OAHP, administers a statewide grants program that was created by the 1990 constitutional amendment allowing limited gaming in the towns of Cripple Creek, Central City, and Black Hawk. The amendment directs that a portion of the gaming tax revenues be used for historic preservation throughout the state.