LETTER TO THE EDITOR

After reading the Letter to the Editor from Gary Schafer, there needs to be clarification on several items. 

The Board of Directors of Roundhouse Preservation, Inc. (RPI) did not request a meeting with the County Commissioners on January 28th.  Instead, the County Administrator asked that we meet with them to answer questions concerning what has been completed on the roundhouse and next steps.

A lot of the work accomplished to date has been through the use of State Historical Fund grants, both to Lincoln County and RPI.  These funds were created in 1990 by a constitutional amendment concerning limited gaming in Cripple Creek, Central City and Black Hawk.  It’s not tax dollars!

Another source of funds was Stimulus Funding. It was created in 2009 during President Obama’s first term.  Since the roundhouse project was shovel ready, Lincoln County received $511,286, with no match, and all of the roof was replaced.  RPI paid the costs for the architect and the engineer, using Gates Family Foundation funds.

Other federal funding, which was administered by the Colorado Transportation Commission was for the 1st phase of the doors and windows replacement.  RPI added to the funding for this with a SHF grant, a Gates Family Foundation grant, a U.P. Foundation grant, and funds of our own.  This occurred in 2010. 

In 2016 more federal funding administered by the Colorado Transportation Commission was received by Lincoln County, with RPI receiving another SHF grant and using their own funds to help with the match.

RPI wants to give thanks to Cooper Clark, the First National bank of Hugo-Limon, the El Pomar Foundation, plus others too numerous to mention who provided funding to us to keep this project moving. 

There are people who don’t support historic preservation, but the Hugo Roundhouse is an iconic structure. It’s the only brick roundhouse in Colorado and the only one associated with the Union Pacific Railroad. Also, it’s on the Colorado Register of Historic Properties.

While the Ellis Allen building is great for hosting numerous events, the roundhouse will also be able to do this.  It has several advantages though, being in downtown Hugo and close to amenities and having an ambience that the fairgrounds building doesn’t. 

As for the model in the Courthouse lobby, it’s still there. The Tourism Board provided funding for the project, with numerous railroad enthusiasts making models of the various structures in the county. It was built so it could be moved to other locations, such as the State Fair, to advertise what’s in Lincoln County and promote tourism.

Lincoln County can sell the roundhouse, but has to notify Colorado Preservation, Inc. in writing, at least 30 days in advance of any proposed sale because this organization holds a Deed of Conservation Easement on the property. This notification is required so the terms of the Easement can be explained to a new owner. 

As for RPI getting funding for the roundhouse restoration, please read the information above.  We did not get tired of trying to obtain funding and will never quit.  There is a large amount of competition for historic preservation grants at this time, but we keep searching for new opportunities on the internet. 

We are thankful for all of the funds received to date since we have saved the Hugo Roundhouse for future generations.

Roxie Devers

RPI Treasurer