After attending the statewide Colorado Preservation, Inc. Conference in 2001, a local group of preservationists were concerned about the lack of a citywide preservation ordinance and educational opportunities for the community to preserve the built environment. This group took action to develop a nonprofit in order to promote the preservation in Pueblo. The organizing group of Patty Bedard, Corinne Koehler, Mary Tonne, Mary Ann Thompson, and Kerrelyn Trent modeled Historic Pueblo, Inc. after similar organizations, such as Historic Boulder and Historic Denver.
The first task for this group was to lobby and testify before Pueblo City Council in order to pass a preservation ordinance. The group was successful and a preservation ordinance passed and the City's Historic Preservation Commission was formed. Without the support and work of Historic Pueblo, Inc., and its desire to preserve the historic structures of the city, the ordinance would not have passed.
Historic Pueblo, Inc. (HPI) organized in the State of Colorado in 2002 and later received its 501(c)3 status. HPI works to gain support in the community through educational seminars, historic tours, membership drives, and the work with the Historic Preservation Commission.
Awards:
2017 Josephine H. Miles Award for “Forging the West,” a documentary history of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Co. (Pueblo Chieftain)
2013 Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation (History Colorado)
See also: Board of Directors | Landmark Information |