Mrs. Laura Bush Designates Two Colorado Towns As Preserve America Communities
February 4, 2005, Denver, CO—Today, Mrs. Bush announced
that Colorado's Greeley
and Silverton communities
have been designated among the newest of the Nation's 220 Preserve
America Communities, joining Fort
Collins, Pueblo, and
Steamboat
Springs as the fourth and fifth communities to achieve this
distinction in Colorado.
 Greeley, Colorado's, 2002 History Fest: Children watch a chuckwagon demonstration. |
Greeley and Silverton officials received a signed certificate by Mrs. Bush notifying them that their cities are now Preserve America Communities. John L. Nau, III, chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), presented the certificates today at the annual conference of Colorado Preservation, Inc. He was joined by Ann Alexander Pritzlaff, Conference Coordinator of Colorado Preservation, Inc., and an ACHP citizen member.
"Preserve America communities demonstrate that they are committed to preserving America's heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learning and enjoyment," Mrs. Bush said.
"This community designation program, combined with the Preserve America Presidential Awards and Federal support, provides strong incentives for continued preservation of our cultural and natural heritage resources. I commend them for their commitment to preserving an important part of our Nation's historic past for visitors, neighbors, and, most importantly, for children."
The Preserve America initiative is a White House effort to encourage and support community efforts for the preservation and enjoyment of America's priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the Nation's past; strengthened regional identities and local pride; increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets; and support for the economic vitality of communities.
"There are significant economic, educational, and cultural benefits that historic preservation, through efforts such as heritage tourism, bring to a community," Nau said. "Sustainable preservation is not a cost for maintaining the past, it is an investment in building the future. These communities are leaders in this trend and have created a powerful positive example for others."
Communities designated through the program receive national recognition for their efforts. Benefits include use of the Preserve America logo, listing in a government Web-based directory to showcase preservation and heritage tourism efforts, and eligibility for special existing and proposed Preserve America grants and funding through various government agencies.
As of January 2005, 220 Preserve America communities had been designated in 34 States, including one American Indian tribe. The first eight communities, which included Steamboat Springs, were designated January 15, 2004, at the White House.
The next quarterly deadline for Preserve America Community applications is March 1, 2005. For more information, including brief profiles of the five Colorado communities, application forms, and procedures, visit www.PreserveAmerica.gov/communities.html.
The ACHP and the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Housing and Urban Development, and the Interior partner to administer the Preserve America initiative on behalf of the Office of the First Lady.
Updated February 25, 2005