Denver Civic Center Could Become A National Historic Landmark

Denver Civic Center is one step closer to becoming a National Historic Landmark -- if it gets approval, it would be the first designation of this kind for Denver.

On Tuesday, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock testified to the Spring 2012 National Park System Advisory Board Landmarks Committee to support the Civic Center's nomination. “Civic Center serves as the keystone for the entire Denver Parks system and sits literally where the City’s cultural, community and commercial realms converge,” Hancock said at the hearing, according to a city press release. “For Civic Center to receive the honor of becoming National Historic Landmark would shine a spotlight on this city treasure and help to deliver Denver as a world-class city.”

The designation includes Civic Center Park, Veteran’s Park, the McNichols Building, the City and County Building and the Colorado State Capitol. If approved, Denver Civic Center would join the ranks of such historically significant sites as the Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, the Library of Congress and the Washington Monument.

The recommendation for Denver Civic Center will now move to the National Park Service Advisory Board on May 22 and 23. The board then advances their recommendations to the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who will officially designate the new National Historic Landmarks, the press release states.

Read the City of Denver's proclamation in support of Civic Center's National Historic Landmark designation here and the National Park Service description of Civic Center as a historic site here.

Visit NPS.org for more information about the National Park Service.

LOOK: Images of Denver Civic Center over the years: