Cultural Resource Recommendations

The following paragraphs are extracted from Section 4 of the draft Master Plan. For more complete information, please review the source document. See page 60 for background; page 63 for detailed recommendations. You may use our Survey Form to provide comments on this or other parts of the draft plan.

Cultural resources are the important features in the Denver Mountain Parks created by people or associated with history. Ranging from early roads built on original Native American trails to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, they are key to the parks’ character, design appeal, and ability to convey the history and story of Denver and the West.

A major challenge for Denver is to adequately maintain, enhance, and market these historic assets both for Denver residents and tourists. It requires consistent reinvestment over time. The return to the City is in the experiences they provide to residents, as well as the economic benefit from the growing sector of heritage tourism.

• Preserve historic features and structures including original roads, trails, structures, and buildings.
  
  
• Complete a system-wide assessment and plan of potential uses and roles for all of the major historic lodges and structures, including sites that currently have no public access such as the Morrison CCC Camp, the Patrick House, and the Daniels Park ranch buildings.
  
  
• Rehabilitate the architecturally significant structures for their highest and best uses.
  
  
• Rehabilitate the park stone houses and their settings for continued use as park shelters and picnic sites.
  
  
• Assure that new construction and enhancements of existing features do not diminish the design integrity and legacy of the system.