Colorado’s Gaming Towns: Black Hawk

Year Listed: 1998
County: Gilpin County
Construction Date: 1850s
Threat When Listed: Development
Status: ALERT
 

One of three of the most historic mining towns in Colorado and the nation, Black Hawk is a National Historic Landmark District and Black Hawk was placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 11 Most Endangered Places in America list in 1998.  Shortly after listing on Colorado Preservation, Inc’s Most Endangered Places, Colorado Senate Local Government Committee passed Senate Bill 98-069 to define size and style of casinos and to clarify vague language in the original constitutional amendment authorizing gaming.  While this bill did not pass, it created new opportunities.  Black Hawk has hired a historic preservation consultant and is currently resurveying its historic district.

CPI has had little involvement with this site in recent years, but large scale casino development continues. There is debate over whether the site should be considered a loss.

Additional Links:

City of Black Hawk

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The 2017 update, Preservation for a Changing Colorado, resulted from a partnership between Colorado Preservation and History Colorado and Colorado Preservation, Inc. Prepared by Clarion Associates, the new report and accompanying website document the economic benefits of rehabilitation projects, analyzes property values and neighborhood stability in local historic districts, and summarizes the increasing impact of heritage tourism, private preservation development and the success of Colorado’s Main Street program. In a key finding, researchers found that for every $1 million spent on historic preservation in Colorado leads to $1.03 million in additional spending, 14 new jobs, and $636,700 in increased household incomes across the state! The 2017 report also considers the important role preservation plays in helping Coloradans provide new spaces for creative communities and co-working, create and sustain meaningful places, respond to the state’s changing demographics, and address climate concerns. Click Here to see the full report, "Preservation for a Changing Colorado".