Accreditation signifies the highest level of excellence that a museum can achieve. Nationally, approximately only 3% of museums are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). History Colorado has once again been accredited by AAM, a recognition that we welcome as an affirmation of our community-centered work, our award-winning exhibitions and diverse educational programming. History Colorado has been an accredited institution since 1972. All museums accredited by AAM must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain the elite status.   

This accreditation brings national recognition to History Colorado for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement. It strengthens the museum profession by promoting practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and remain financially and ethically accountable in order to provide the best possible service to the public.  

“It is incredibly meaningful to have our History Colorado team and our community-centered museum work celebrated and recognized for professional excellence,” said Dawn DiPrince, President/CEO of History Colorado and State Historic Preservation Officer.  “We are honored every day to do this work on behalf of the people of Colorado and our collective history.” 

The museums in History Colorado’s network that received recognition were: 

• History Colorado Center | Denver, Colo. 
• Center for Colorado Women’s History | Denver, Colo. 
• El Pueblo History Museum | Pueblo, Colo. 
• Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center | Fort Garland, Colo. 
• Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin | Leadville, Colo. 
• Ute Indian Museum | Montrose, Colo. 

Of the nation’s estimated 35,000 museums, just over 1,100 are currently accredited. Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, and then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, considers the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation.  

“Accreditation is the gold standard for museums—a significant achievement of which the institutions and their communities should be extremely proud,” said Brooke Leonard, AAM Interim CEO and Chief of Staff. “By undergoing re-accreditation, these museums have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to maintaining this distinction and have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to excellence.”