Reauthorization enables NHAs to receive National Park Service funding for 15 years
WASHINGTON –– Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet 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.
“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.
“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.”
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.
“On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners of Park County I would like to thank Senator Bennet for his work in obtaining funding for the South Park Heritage Area. Preserving our history for future generations is extremely important to the County, and this will allow us to complete the restoration of the Parris Mill and carry on other projects to ensure we don’t lose the history that has made Park County what it is today,” said Dick Elsner, Commissioner, Park County Government.
“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.
“Getting S.1942 passed has been the culmination of bi-partisan work across our country. We at the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area are thrilled to see our private-public partnerships continue to benefit the region. We are grateful for the leadership of our incredible legislators who championed the heritage areas of Colorado and the 55 National Heritage Areas across this great country,” said Sabrina Stoker, Executive Director, Poudre Heritage Alliance.
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 have 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.
###