A Brief History of Idaho Springs
The Miner Street Commercial District forms the heart of the two mile long and one quarter mile wide City of Idaho Springs. This area is a collection of one- and two-story brick and a few frame buildings that housed the markets, hardware stores, banks, offices and saloons of the 19th century mining center. Only a few clapboard structures survive from the early commercial district which was composed mostly of false-fronted wood frame buildings. The arrival of the railroad in 1877 strengthened the position of Idaho Springs as a mine supply center. Brick commercial buildings, which form the core of the district, came into being between 1877 and 1920, and reflect the vernacular late Victorian-early twentieth century commercial architecture typical of that period.
The City's historic downtown was designated as a National Historic District in 1983. Since that time, the City has developed substantial resources to protect and promote the City's historic resources. Part of this process are regulations that seek to preserve the historic character of the District and of individual properties.
Historic Preservation in Idaho Springs
Historic Preservation is a critical element of development within the City of Idaho Springs. Construction that takes place on a property designated as a local, state, or national landmark is usually required to go through the City's Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) process, detailed in Sec. 21-107 of the Idaho Springs Municipal Code (ISMC). Please contact the City if you are curious about whether your property is located in the National Historic District or is otherwise designated or if you have questions about whether a COA may be needed.
The City's appointed Historic Preservation Review Commission (HPRC) reviews and acts on COA applications. The Commission is a group of 5 members and up to 2 alternates, volunteers appointed by City Council. The City's HPRC acts as a Certified Local Government (CLG) tasked with maintaining standards consistent with the National Historic Preservation Act and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Archaeology and Historic Preservation.
The Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Meeting agendas are posted, in advance, by the front door of City Hall at 1711 Miner Street.
A survey of historic resources was published in 2022. The Historic Resources Survey Plan can be used to identify historically valuable properties and to learn more about the City's history.
Historic Preservation Review Commission Members
- Lisa Manifold, Chair
- Michael Davenport, Vice Chair
- Patti Tyler
- Shannon Glazer
- Clark Strickland
- Erica Duvic, alternate
- David Grimm, alternate
If you are interested in joining the City's HPRC, please submit letter of interest at City Hall, mail to PO Box 907, Idaho Springs, CO 80452, or email DGraves [at] idahospringsco.com (DGraves[at]idahospringsco[dot]com).
Please review the City's established guidelines here before beginning on any project on your historic building: Design Review Guidelines for Historic Structures.