About the Aurora Historic Sites and Preservation Office (AHSPO)
Within Aurora’s local government, historic preservation is conducted by two main entities: the Aurora Historic Sites and Preservation Office (AHSPO) and the Aurora Historic Preservation Commission (HPC).
The AHSPO is tasked with all aspects of historic preservation including the maintenance of city-owned historic landmarks, assistance in landmark nominations, and reviewing federally funded projects that affect historic buildings (NHPA Sec. 106). The AHSPO also commissions reconnaissance and intensive surveys as well as manages grant-funded restorations and renovations.
The Aurora City Council established the Historic Preservation Commission in 1985 by Chapter 8, Article XXII in the Aurora Code to assist residents in the preservation of unique community assets, both archaeological and historical. Its mission is to administer and enforce provisions of the Code. This eleven member citizens commission works to promote and preserve Aurora's historic resources through community outreach and a landmarking program.
The HPC meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Aurora History Museum’s Community Gallery. Commission meetings are open to the public. To learn more, visit the
HPC Homepage.
The city of Aurora also holds the distinct status of a
Certified Local Government, or CLG. Per the National Park Service, "Certified Local Governments are counties or municipalities that have been endorsed by the State Historic Preservation Office (History Colorado) and the National Park Service to participate in the national preservation program while maintaining standards consistent with the National Historic Preservation Act and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Archaeology and Historic Preservation."
Please click the button below to see the Colorado CLG Handbook.