Upcoming Event: Colorado Preservation Inc. On The Road in Buena Vista
As Buena Vista continues to grow, preserving the character and heritage that make our town unique becomes increasingly important. Historic preservation is not simply about protecting old buildings. It is about maintaining community identity, supporting local businesses, encouraging thoughtful development, strengthening tourism, and ensuring future generations understand the stories that shaped the Upper Arkansas Valley.
The conference, hosted by Colorado Preservation Inc., will feature educational sessions, site tours, and a Taste of Buena Vista dinner event, all of which are dedicated to highlighting the history and character of Buena Vista and historic preservation projects in Town. The event will bring together local leaders, preservation professionals, visitors, and locals for a weekend of celebrating Buena Vista’s history and heritage.
Choose from tours such as:
- Preservation of Buena Vista Main Street
- Exploring Chaffee County’s Historic Ranching
- Celebrating Placemaking (South Main)
- No Ghosts (Historic St. Elmo)
- Buena Vista West Side Walking Tour
- All Aboard for Historic Transportation
A hands-on window restoration workshop, buffet dinner with entertainment, and other events will also take place during the weekend!
Events will be held on June 13-14, and registration prices are as follows:
- Chaffee County Residents → $150.00
- Student Registration → $70.00
- Taste of Buena Vista ONLY → $65.00
- Window Restoration Workshop ONLY → $25.00
To register for the event, please visit CPI On the Road in Buena Vista Registration Website
Schedule:
| FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026 | |||
| 5:00-7:00 PM | Early Check-In | Grace Episcopal Church Annex 203 W. Main Street | |
| SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2026 | |||
| 7:30-8:30 AM | Opening Remarks, Breakfast, and Check-In | McGinnis Gym - 113 N. Court Street Breakfast: Loback’s Bakery and Brown Dog Coffee Speakers: Mary Therese Anstey, Libby Fay, Jennifer Orrigo-Charles, Dan Nauchtreib | |
| 8:30 AM-12:30 PM | TOURS (choose one) | #1 (Walking) Preservation of Buena Vista Main Street | Presenters |
| Natalie Lord, John O’Brien, Katy Welter | |||
| #2 (Bus) Exploring Chaffee County’s Historic Ranching (stops: McMurry, Cogan, Kelly ranches) | Bruce Cogan, Judy Hassell, Dave Kelly, Connie McMurry, Ken McMurry, Jo Reese | ||
| 12:30 -1:30 PM | LUNCH | Box lunch from Sorelle Delicatessen available for pick up at the McGinnis Gym | |
| 1:30-5:30 PM | TOURS (choose one) | #1 (Walking) Celebrating Placemaking (South Main) | Mary Therese Anstey, Carly Croft, Jed Selby |
| #2 (Bus) No Ghosts (Historic St. Elmo) | Melanie Roth | ||
| 6:30-9:00 PM | Taste of BV | Buffet dinner from Spark Provisions Cash bar benefiting BV Heritage Entertainment: Carin Mari | |
| SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2026 | |||
| 7:30-8:30 AM | Closing Remarks and Breakfast | Turner Farm – 829 W. Main Street Breakfast: Joyful Bakery and Coffee Speakers: Jennifer Orrigo-Charles, Lisa Wagner | |
| 8:30 AM-12:45 PM | TOURS (choose one) OR | #1 (Walking) West Side | Bill Bryans, Nancy Locke |
| #2 (Bus) All Aboard for Historic Transportation | Amy Aschliman, Suzy Kelly, Natalie Lord, Rick Lueb | ||
| 9:30 AM-12:45 PM | WORKSHOP | Hands-On Window Restoration Workshop - McGinnis Gym | Kyle Nettleingham |
Join the Discussion:
Use the tools below to share comments, ideas, photos, and stories about the places that matter most to you. Together, we can celebrate the people, places, and traditions that make Buena Vista special.
Places, Stories, and Memories of Buena Vista
Communities across Colorado are balancing growth with preservation. Buena Vista is no exception. As new housing, businesses, recreational opportunities, and infrastructure projects emerge, residents are continually faced with questions such as:
What places best represent Buena Vista's history and character?
How can historic resources contribute to economic vitality?
What stories should be preserved and shared?
How can preservation support placemaking and community identity?
What historic sites, traditions, and cultural assets deserve greater recognition?
Share Your Perspective
We invite residents, business owners, visitors, and preservation enthusiasts to share their thoughts:
What historic place in Buena Vista is most meaningful to you?
What local story should more people know about?
Your feedback will help inform ongoing conversations about preservation, placemaking, and the future of Buena Vista.
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