Public Hearing

The Landmark Preservation Commission will hold a public hearing on the draft during its regularly-scheduled meeting July 1.

Meeting Info:
July 1, 1 p.m.

Room 4.F.6,

Wellington Webb Municipal Building, 201 W. Colfax Ave.

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Denver Community Planning & Development

Denver Development Services

Historic Denver

Landmark Design Guidelines: Draft Now Available Online

Following an intensive public outreach process, Landmark Preservation planners have released a proposed draft of updated citywide design guidelines for Denver historic landmarks and properties in Denver's historic districts. The draft includes a summary of the character-defining features for eight of the city's designated historic districts. An additional chapter on signs is still to come. The draft is available online (see link below) and for review in person at the records counter on the 2nd floor of the Webb Municipal Building, 201 W. Colfax Ave.

Click to view the draft

Landmark Preservation planners and the Landmark Preservation Commission use the design guidelines to evaluate building projects for local landmarks and properties within the boundaries of designated historic districts. The guidelines help ensure that each proposed project preserves key historic features and is compatible with the character of designated historic buildings, sites and districts.

The current guidelines, written in 1995, are difficult to navigate, do not have many illustrations and do not reflect recent advances in building and construction, including energy-efficient technology, such as solar panels.

The updated guidelines outline a "how to" approach and provide easy-to-follow charts and graphs so that property owners and design professionals can more easily navigate through the design review and permitting process. The guidelines are slated to go into effect on October 1, 2014.

For Property Owners and Stakeholders

In November 2013, Landmark Preservation planners sent a mailing to the owner of each historic property in Denver to kick off the drafting of new design guidelines. Over the course of 6 months, property owners and other stakeholders have shared their input on what they'd like to see in the updated guidelines in person, at neighborhood meetings, in working groups and via email and by phone. Planners hosted community workshops in west Denver (December 2013) and east Denver (March 2014).

Questions or Feedback?

Share your comments on the proposed guidelines at our office hours (see below), at the July 1 public hearing (see sidebar) or by emailing landmark@denvergov.org. Although landmark staff welcome comments on the guidelines or other landmark issues at any time, please submit comments related to the draft below before the July 1 public hearing.

Office Hours at the Blair Caldwell Library

2401 Welton Street

Saturday, June 14, 9 a.m. to noon

Office Hours at the Webb Municipal Building

201 W. Colfax Avenue

Tuesday June 17, 8 to 10 a.m., Room 1.D.1
Wednesday, June 18, 3 to 5 p.m., Room 1.D.1
Tuesday, June 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Room 2.D.4
Wednesday, June 25, 8 to 10 a.m., Room 2.D.4

About Us

Landmark Preservation is an important function of the Department of Community Planning and Development. Denver City Council enacted the Denver Landmark Ordinance in 1967 to foster the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of structures and districts of historical, architectural and/or geographic significance.

Landmark Preservation staff and two landmark boards carry out that mission through design review, historic surveys and landmark designations. Staff also assists owners of historic properties by providing guidance and resources for preserving, maintaining and rehabilitating historic buildings and properties. You can learn more about Denver's Landmark Preservation efforts on our website.

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