The City of Boulder has many historic landmarks that have been designated over the years. These include the Dushanbe Teahouse, the Boulderado Hotel and many more. But individual landmarks aren’t the only kind of historic designation we have.
The city also has 10 historic districts, and a new one has been proposed along Grant Place, a residential street on University Hill.
Local historic designation recognizes and protects areas significant to Boulder’s history. It can preserve the character of an area and ensure that, while change can still happen, it happens in a way that compliments the historic nature and ambiance of an area.
Historic district designation recognizes areas of historic, architectural and/or environmental significance and provides protection through design review to ensure future changes are sensitive to an area’s historic character. A historic district can be a collection of buildings, building sites, parks and the spaces in between. In a historic district, the sidewalks, the tree canopy or the pattern of the buildings can all contribute to its historic significance. There are 10 historic districts in town, including Chautauqua, the Pearl Street Mall, Mapleton Hill and seven other residential areas.
Designation does not freeze a place in time. It’s often a question of how an area changes over time, not if it can change. Additionally, designation does not regulate the use of an area, whether that is repurposing a building, holding concerts or festivals, or renting to students.
Local historic designation recognizes and protects areas significant to Boulder’s history. It can preserve the character of an area and ensure that, while change can still happen, it happens in a way that compliments the historic nature and ambiance of an area. Learn more about historic designation.
There are a few different ways historic landmarks are designated in Boulder. The most common is a when a property owner submits an application for designation. Less commonly, City Council, the Landmarks Board or a recognized historic preservation organization can submit an application.
When the application comes from someone other than the property owner, there are additional steps and processes, including an initial hearing to decide if it meets the criteria to become designated before the review process begins.
Once the application is submitted, it goes through design guidelines and community engagement before review by the Landmarks Board. The Landmarks Board then makes a recommendation to City Council, who then makes the final decision.
A new historic district has been proposed along Grant Place. The proposed district extends from Chautauqua Park (the 700 block of Grant Place) to Columbia Cemetery (the 1000 block of Grant Place). It includes four blocks.
The designation process provides an opportunity to fill research gaps in the history of the area, in particular the history of how Grant Place developed as this geographic corridor between Chautauqua Park and Columbia Cemetery, and the importance of this corridor to tourism in Boulder; the history of creative innovations in Boulder, including “electrified” houses of the Twentieth Century; and a connection to the Japanese Language School sensei during WWII.
You can share your feedback on the proposed historic district by emailing the Landmarks Board or by speaking at a public hearing. The Landmarks Board will review the proposed historic district on Dec. 9, followed by Planning Board review early in 2027. City Council will then review the application and make a final decision.
In July, 64 property owners (74 percent) over four blocks applied to designate Grant Place a local historic district. The Landmarks Board voted to begin the process for the designation at a public hearing on Sept. 7, 2026.
