Brief by Central Staff
History – October 2007 – Colorado Central Magazine
The gambling allowed in Cripple Creek, Black Hawk, and Central City pays off for the whole state — at least when it comes to historic preservation. The State Historical Fund receives 22.4% of gambling tax revenues, about fifteen million dollars a year, and uses the money for grants for historic preservation. Since the tax began in 1993, more than 3,100 projects have received more than $192 million.
One of the largest of this year’s grants, $149,373, goes to the Temple Israel Foundation to restore the interior of the old synagogue in Leadville, which was featured in the January, 2002, edition of Colorado Central link.
Other area projects getting grants: the State Soldiers and Sailors Home in Homelake, for exterior rehabilitation, $199,730 (featured in our November, 2004, edition); Pitkin Town Hall, exterior rehabilitation, $120,013; Rattlesnake Trestle in Costilla County, $33,000 (one remnant of the San Luis Valley Southern Railroad, which ran from Blanca to Jaroso); Como High School, exterior renovation, $16,048; Waterwheel restoration at the Hayden Ranch in Lake County, $22,660.
