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History Colorado's board of directors condemns proposed federal changes to the National Historic Preservation Act

History Colorado's board of directors has officially condemned a new draft rule proposed by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to rewrite Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The board argues that the fast-moving federal rule would weaken protections for historic sites and remove essential voices, such as state and Tribal governments, from the consultation process. History Colorado's president and CEO Dawn DiPrince noted that the proposed revisions nearly erase the central tenet of collaboration that has defined the Act since 1966. The board expressed concern that consolidating decision-making authority at the federal level will threaten rural historic districts and traditional cultural places. These changes come as the administration seeks to streamline the process, though critics argue it may lead to more litigation and delays. The pushback follows several recent actions by the administration to refine historical displays, including the placement of warning signs at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to address what the administration deemed inaccurate or divisive information.

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