History Colorado accepts Roberts House period of significance; commission to pursue planning grant

The Woodland Park Historic Preservation Commission said History Colorado has agreed to a period of significance for the Roberts House covering 1919 to 1938, and commissioners discussed next steps to move the preservation project into the planning‑grant phase.

Commission members reported that the material requested by History Colorado was submitted from the commission’s 2021 research package and that outstanding questions about post‑1938 changes were answered in recent email exchanges. Commission members said History Colorado’s most recent message — routed through the commission’s contact at History Colorado — confirmed acceptance of the 1919–1938 period of significance.

Why it matters: a validated period of significance is a prerequisite for the preservation planning process and for several History Colorado grant programs; it frames which elements of the building are historically important and therefore which alterations or removals a planning application should address.

What the commission discussed and directed - Documentation: members agreed to circulate the exchange from History Colorado to the commission and city staff so everyone has the final written record of the accepted period. - City coordination: commission members said City Planner CJ should contact the city’s History Colorado liaison (referred to in the meeting as “Kimberly”) to confirm the next administrative steps and to arrange any required follow‑up submissions. - Research record: commissioners noted that Steve’s 2021 research package and an updated written version of his presentation were the basis for the submission; the commission plans to ensure those materials are included in the planning grant application. - Scope clarifications: commissioners reported that one later addition (a bathroom) was determined to date within the Roberts period and therefore will be treated within the accepted period of significance.

Next steps and timeline Commissioners instructed staff to: circulate the History Colorado email to the committee and city staff; schedule a meeting between CJ and Kimberly to advance the planning grant application; and begin assembling the planning‑grant materials so an application can be submitted before the end of the calendar year if timelines align.

Background Commission members said the Roberts House nomination and related documentation were first compiled in 2021 and that the recent exchange with History Colorado resolved final questions about which later alterations should remain within the stated period of significance. The commission emphasized that the planning and grant phases will require more document preparation and outreach to the city to secure any required city match funds.

Commissioners listed the granted period of significance and the administrative steps as the immediate outcomes of the meeting; no formal vote on a motion was recorded during the discussion.