Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper celebrated the reauthorization of Colorado’s three National Heritage Areas (NHA), ensuring they continue to receive National Park Service (NPS) funding through 2037. Previously, the National Heritage Area designations for Cache La Poudre, Sangre de Cristo, and South Park were set to expire in 2024. The reauthorizations now head to President Biden’s desk for signature after Congress passed a package of more than 45 NHA reauthorizations yesterday.
“People come to Colorado’s National Heritage Areas to learn about the rich and diverse history of our state,” said Bennet. “Ensuring these National Heritage Areas continue to receive funding through the National Park Service will preserve our state’s story and culture for future generations.”
“Colorado’s public lands, especially those that honor our past and diverse history, make us great. That’s why we fight so hard for the next generation,” said Hickenlooper.
In March 2022, Bennet and Hickenlooper introduced the Colorado National Heritage Areas Reauthorization Act to ensure our state’s three NHAs continue to receive National Park Service (NPS) funding through 2036.
“As the Chair of the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area Board and Conejos County Commissioner, I would like to thank Senator Bennet for all his hard work getting us another 15 years of funding through this reauthorization effort. The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area has been an incredible resource in helping preserve and restore historic sites within the San Luis Valley. Without the resources provided from the National Park Service, we would not have had the means available to make these projects happen. It has definitely been a blessing to this area. The economic impact to our counties has been tremendous,” said Mitchell Jarvies, Conejos County Commissioner and Chair of the Sangre de Cristo NHA.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have been included in the reauthorization of several other National Heritage Areas nationwide for another fifteen years. A special thank you to Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper for their support and efforts in this success. We would also like to thank our elected officials, board members, previous board members and our many partners in the San Luis Valley and beyond for their letters and emails of support during this huge team effort,” said Julie Chacon, Executive Director of Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area.
Colorado’s three NHAs were first authorized in 2009 following years of grassroots organizing from stakeholders in their respective regions. NHAs leverage federal NPS funds for historic and cultural preservation projects with the support of counties, tourism, and historic preservation organizations.
Colorado’s National Heritage Areas all completed notable projects since they were authorized in 2009. At the South Park NHA, NPS funds have helped to restore the endangered Paris Mill near Alma. Within the Sangre de Cristo NHA, funds have helped share the story of the first desegregation case in the nation, Mestas v. Shone. At the Cache La Poudre NHA, NPS funds were leveraged to develop a water education curriculum at the Poudre River that can be accessed across the West.