Bellvue could be named rural historic district

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

Bellvue, the small community located in Pleasant Valley, could become the state's first designated rural historic district.

"This area is full of historic significance and worthy of the precious historic designation," said Neal Spencer, who is heading up the effort.

On Oct. 1, he and others involved with the Bellvue Historic Foundation will submit a grant proposal for $25,000 to the Colorado Historical Association. The grant would pay for a survey of buildings and property in and around Bellvue.

To qualify for historic designation, buildings need to be at least 50 years old, and Spencer estimates there could be 80 or more in that category. Notable historic buildings in Bellvue include the Flowers home, built by Bellvue founder Jacob Flowers and now owned by Judy Jackson; and the Cache la Poudre Grange, built by Flowers for use as a general store and blacksmith shop.

If the BHF receives the grant, the property survey will be completed by Ron Sladek of Tatanka Historic Associates. While conducting the survey, Sladek would also talk with owners of the historic sites to see if there is general agreement about wanting to become an historic district. If results are positive, the foundation would then ask the state for designation as a rural historic district.

The district would be bounded by the Poudre River on the east, the base of the foothills to the west, the Greeley water treatment facility to the north and Horsetooth Dam to the south.

Designation as a historic district is primarily honorary and would not affect what a property owner could do with his land or buildings, Spencer said. It would also not prevent development of open land.

About a year ago, the county found out just how passionate Bellvue residents are about their community. The county parks and open lands department proposed building an RV campground at the base of Horsetooth Dam, and neighbors rose up in protest. They descended upon the county commissioners en masse for a hearing on the project, presented their objections in an organized manner, and won. Plans for a campground were abandoned.

In the process of organizing the campground opposition, Bellvue citizens formed several committees to look into ways of preserving their community's rural way of life. One of those became the Bellvue Historic Foundation.

So far, Spencer's group has gathered $1,300 in donations from local residents and businesses to fund the grant proposal. The group needs another $500 for that effort, Spencer said. If the grant is awarded, the community will need to raise an additional $1,500 in matching funds for the $25,000 grant. Larimer County manager Frank Lancaster has agreed to provide administrative support for the project.

Donations to the foundation may be sent to the Bellvue Historic Foundation, in care of Neal Spencer, P.O. Box 231, Bellvue, CO 80512.