Colorado & Denver News

Prepared for the Web by CBS4 producer Raetta Holdman
DENVER (CBS4) ― Colorado Preservation, Inc., has released this year's list of Colorado's most endangered places. The five locations range from an historic trail to what might be the state's most high-profile park to a crumbling building in Pueblo.

Each site represents a significant chapter in Colorado's history and each is in risk of disappearing taking a piece of Colorado's past with it.

Antonito Train Depot

At first glance, the depot in Antonito looks like any other small town train station but a closer look reveals what makes it special.

It is made of lava. "The stone was brought in from Trinidad," explained Herman Trujillo who is Antonito trustee.

The station and the railroad were the lifeblood of the town and its economic development. "It also helped ship a bunch of our people out to educated," Antonito Mayor Michael Trujillo said. "Then they'd come back and pass on what they learned."

When the trains stopped coming, Antonito found itself on an economic downturn and the station suffered physically as well.

"It's just those minor little things that allow us to want to preserve it even faster," said "That way, it's not a target, and it's actually preserved the way it's supposed to be."

Arkansas Valley Fairgrounds

The Arkansas Valley Fairgrounds have hosted animals for more than 100 years and it is filled with stories, especially horse stories.

And it is the 85 horse stables which make the fairgrounds unusual. They are made of adobe.

"That adobe is good insulation," said Lyman Edgar, a retired fair worker. "It keeps them warm in winter and in the summertime, cool."

"There's no wire, nails or anything like on which the horses can hurt themselves."

Unlike most county fairgrounds, the Arkansas Valley Fairgrounds are managed by the city of Rocky Ford. That means there is less of a tax base to pay for the upkeep of the fairgrounds.

That means those adobe stables are in danger of disappearing forever.

"Repairing these just because of their historical value would be the first choice," said Rocky Ford mayor Randy Hamilton, "but it may not be the most economical choice."

Civic Center Park

Civic Center Park was born of the "city beautiful" movement which started in the late 19th century.

"People had been to Chicago in 1893 to see the World's Fair," said Denver historian Tom Noel. "They got excited about how beautiful, clean and inspiring cities could be at a time when cities were crowded, dangerous and disease-ridden."

"This was an urban renewal project back in around 1910 to clean out what was here and put in a park space."

A century later there is a new sense of urban renewal around the park.

"The park is very active during festivals and gathering so it is more of a 'How can we make this place more attractive on a daily and weekly basis?'," explained Kathleen Brooker with Historic Denver, Inc.

Denver has already begun gathering public input as it moves forward with plans to refurbish the park and make upgrades.

McLaughlin Building

The McLaughlin Building in downtown Pueblo has greeted visitors to the city since 1891. Its red brick and sandstone construction served as the architectural bookend of what was the main street of Pueblo.

"It was built as a multi-purpose building so all of the storefronts you see on the first floor were designed as individual retail outlets," explained Pueblo County Commissioner Jeff Chostner.

It is that main street heritage city leaders would like to preserve, but economic hard times mean the building has not been used for 10 years.

The city would like to find the money to spruce up the building, making a symbol of redevelopment in downtown Pueblo.

"The deteriorated state of the building communicates a lack of interest in the district. If the McLaughlin Building were to fall by the wayside, if it were allowed to further deteriorate, I think that would be a tragedy for this particular part of the city."

Santa Fe Trail

The Santa Fe Trail, which ran along the Arkansas River Valley, was a key trade route between America and Mexico.

The Coloradans who live along the trail say it represents their way of life. "It's peaceful, I feel free," said Cathy Mullins.

"There is a spirit in me that exists that I wouldn't find if I lived where I lived before."

Now the trail is threatened by the proposed expansion of the Pinion Canyon maneuver area. The military says it needs more land and the process has already begun to acquire the land.

State lawmakers were asked to try and stop the expansion, but while some say they agree with the sentiment of keeping the land in the hands of its currents owners, they say it is unlikely they will be able to stop the Army's plans.

Additional Resources

• Visit Colorado Preservation, Inc.'s Web site for more information.
  
• The Pinon Canyon Opposition Coalition opposes the Army's plans for the Santa Fe Trail and southeast heritage region.
  

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