Blog Archives

She’s known as a fireball, and not just because of her red hair. Rebecca Goodwin is a tireless advocate for historical preservation efforts, particularly in rural communities in Colorado. Rebecca was honored along with several other organizations Wednesday night at the Colorado Preservation Inc.’s “Dana Crawford and State Honor Awards” event.

Colorado Preservation Inc.’s mission is to promote historic preservation statewide through advocacy, education, outreach and preservation services to communities and individuals. Their vision is that inspired citizens statewide will honor and protect their heritage, build a sustainable future with historic places and prioritize the past as legacy for generations to come.

The Dana Crawford Awards Dinner is Colorado’s premier statewide preservation awards event, honoring individuals and organizations that make significant contributions toward preserving Colorado’s built and archaeological history as well as working landscapes.  The evening’s namesake is Dana Crawford, a preservation pioneer who proved that saving historic buildings could make economic sense.

Rebecca Goodwin was bestowed the 2018 Dana Crawford Award for her work mostly in promoting preservation in rural communities throughout Colorado.

Other State Honor awardees were: Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Grand Imperial Hotel in Silverton, Ginger & Baker in Fort Collins, the Ute Indian Museum in Mancos; the Preservation Edge Award went to Punch Bowl Social, which adapted the historic Stapleton Airport and Control Tower; and the Engangered Places Progress Award went to the restoration project of the Goodnight Barn in Pueblo.

For more information about the awardees and CPI, log on to www.coloradopreservation.org.

“So, where’s the fountain??”

It’s not easy to imagine how a fountain is misplaced, but such was the lighthearted banter between four present and past Colorado Governors, who joined together with the former First Ladies to reminisce about their tenure at the Governor’s Mansion.

The occasion was the 2nd Century Celebration to showcase the Governor’s Residence Preservation Fund (GRPF) on Friday evening. Governor John Hickenlooper and his son Teddy, former Governors Roy Romer, Bill Ritter and Bill Owens, former First Ladies Frances Owens, Jeannie Ritter and Bea Romer, and several other family members of past Governships were in attendance, including General Andy and Virginia Love and Bob and Jane McNichols. Each First Family has their own memories of their home, bringing a personal touch to the beautiful Boettcher Mansion that is also Colorado’s home. Roy Romer joked in front of the crowd, “where’s the fountain?” and Frances Owens testified she knew exactly where it is–somewhere in storage in the basement. Governor Bill Owens laughed, “it actually was a nightmare having it in the middle of the room. They told me I couldn’t remove it, but I told them I was the Governor and it’s going.”

GRPF Director Cindy Starks welcomed everyone before Governor Hickenlooper introduced distinguished past Governors and guests. Former First Ladies Frances Owens, who orchestrated an incredible private campaign when she was First Lady to preserve and refurbish the lower gardens and other parts of the mansion, and Jeannie Ritter, who started the GRPF, thanked supporters this evening, in the past and for future efforts. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock was on hand to say a few words, and even Teddy gave a short speech, showing his promise as a future politician.

In 1959 the state legislature turned down the Boettcher Foundation when it offered the mansion as Colorado’s Executive Residence.  The reason?  Expense.  Days before the home was slated for demolition, then Governor Stephen McNichols accepted the house – and the rest is history.

Today the Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion is a treasure that stands as one of our finest symbols for Colorado’s state civic heritage.

The Governor’s Residence Preservation Fund was founded in 2008 to lead the continued preservation and stewardship of Colorado’s Home. Their goal is to preserve the Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion as a splendid showcase of the state’s cultural and civic heritage and as a place for the people of Colorado to visit and enjoy.