Historic Preservation

Historic Lincoln Avenue in the 1920s

About the Historic Preservation Division

Through its Historic Preservation Program, the City of Steamboat Springs seeks to preserve the community’s natural and built historic resources to help maintain distinct community character, and contribute to the cultural awareness, sustainability, and economic growth of the community.

The City of Steamboat Springs is committed to the ongoing responsible growth of our community. The opportunity to work with owners of property over 50 years of age, and those that may be considered an Eligible Resource, is an important factor in building strong, resilient communities that honor and integrate places of historic and cultural significance. Eligible Resources are properties that hold historic, architectural, or geographic significance. 

Historic preservation is an important step in the City's development review process. There is a mandatory review process for all planning applications and building permits for all Eligible Resources. Please visit the Mandatory Planning and Building Historic Review Process Page for more information.  

Contact the Historic Preservation Planner to determine the eligibly status of your property, learn more about the required review process, obtain feedback on any potential exterior changes to your property, or discuss the benefits of owning an Eligible Resource or designating your piece of history to the Steamboat Springs Register of Historic Places.

Historic Downtown Tour
Steamboat Art Museum

Information on the Steamboat Springs Register of Historic Places

  • The City of Steamboat Springs became a Certified Local Government (CLG) in 1999, which allows us to inventory buildings, structures, sites, and objects that are 50 years of age or older and signs that are 25 years of age or older to determine if they meet criteria for being considered Eligible Resources for listing to the Steamboat Springs Register of Historic Places.
  • To be considered an Eligible Resource, a property must meet one of three criteria:  historical, architectural, or geographic significance to our local community.
  • Properties listed on the Steamboat Springs Register of Historic Places are able to make alterations, additions, and exterior changes while ensuring their property will not be demolished due to future development or redevelopment. 

To inquire about placing your property on the local register or for help, please contact the Historic Preservation Planner. 

  1. Caitlin Berube-Smith

    Historic Preservation Planner

Preservation Partners

The City of Steamboat Springs is honored to work with many preservation partners across our community. We would like to thank Historic Routt County, The TREAD of Pioneers Museum, Main Street Steamboat Springs, Routt County, History Colorado and Northwest Colorado Cultural Heritage Program for their invaluable contributions to preserving our local heritage and history. 

Walking Tours

The city has worked with many of these partners to create historic walking tours of Steamboat Springs, with help from the TREAD of Pioneers Museum and has led to the development of specific tours taking you on a historic journey across our city. These walking tours are available digitally by visiting the TREAD of Pioneers Museum. Their website also has information about in person walking tours.

History Colorado logo
Routt Logo primary
Main-Street-Steamboat-Logo
Historic Routt County Logo
North West Colorado Heritage logo
Tread of Pioneers Logo