Colorado Preservation, Inc. (CPI) has announced the spots it’s featuring on its 2026 ‘most endangered places in Colorado’ list, and among the five inclusions are a fort, a castle, a church, a pharmacy, and a theater.

The program is in its 29th year, with the ultimate goal of the initiative being to preserve Colorado’s history. Including the five spots added to the running list this year, CPI’s ‘Most Endangered Places’ program has highlighted a total of 149 historic spots, with 57 of those being saved and nine ultimately lost over the course of the program.

“Long before Colorado became a state 150 years ago, this land was home to people whose stories, traditions, and stewardship continue to shape this place today,” Endangered Places Director Katie Peterson said. “From Indigenous nations and early settlers to miners, ranchers, railroad workers, and visionaries who followed, Colorado’s history has always been one of resilience, creativity, and connection. As Colorado marks 150 years of statehood, the Endangered Places Program stands as a reflection of that milestone. It is a celebration of our diverse stories, our sense of place, and our collective commitment to preserving the landmarks that continue to tell Colorado’s story.”

Without further ado, here are the five spots highlighted on this year’s ‘Most Endangered Places’ list:

1. Bent’s Old Fort

Located in Otero County and near La Junta, Bent’s Old Fort is well-known among Colorado’s history buffs. It’s found within a National Historic Site and played an important role in trade and community along the Santa Fe Trail in the 1800s. What many people don’t know, however, is that the structure that currently stands on the plains is a reconstruction of the actual fort, which was officially dedicated in 1976. The original fort was constructed in 1833, but as CPI puts it, was lost to time and flooding.

The reason for Bent’s Old Fort’s inclusion on the list comes from increasingly complex repairs that are needed at the destination. Materials used to rebuild the fort and create an authentic feel include compressed dirt and wood, along with plaster, concrete, and composites, all of which are said to age in different ways. This aging has made some parts of the structure unsafe and has significantly restricted access. CPI hopes that by working with stakeholders, including the National Park Service, that preservation options can be explored and implemented, presumably to make more of the fort accessible by the public.

2. Hartman Castle

Constructed in Gunnison in 1894, Hartman Castle was the home of Alonzo and Annie Hartman, with this couple playing a key role in the town’s early days. Serving time as a government employee, Alonzo became good friends with Chief Ouray and his wife. Over his time in Gunnison, he was a postmaster, banker, and rancher, also being one of the founding members of the Gunnison Cattlemen’s Association. Meanwhile, Annie was an artist and philanthropist – said to be the brains behind that castle’s design, too. Both were key leaders when it came to community development.

In the current era, Hartman Castle is privately owned, but vacant, and in need of preservation, according to CPI. There’s a group that’s working to purchase it, restore it, and open it for the community, with CPI hoping to collaborate with local partners to help raise awareness of the situation.

3. La Morada

Located in the area of San Luis – Colorado’s oldest town, La Morada was constructed in the 1860s as a humble place for religious gatherings, including those of the Penitentes. Moradas were once a staple of Colorado’s Hispanic communities, but today, only two remain active. La Morada is one that has fallen into disuse, now vacant for more than half a century. Issues that are present include collapsed walls, eroded plaster, and fragile woodwork, and while the building’s owner has already secured some emergency funding for the restoration effort, CPI hopes that their partnership will help to further bolster the building’s preservation and community awareness of its presence.

4. Ordway Pharmacy

Found in Crowley County’s Town of Ordway, this pharmacy played an important role in the local community for more than a century, though it’s now stood empty since 2020. With a failing roof and crumbling brick walls, the town remains determined to save it. Plans are in place to fix it up and turn it into the town’s first laundromat since 2004, also adding an arcade and a snack counter as a nod to the spot once housing a soda fountain. Revamping this building is part of a larger project meant to improve much of Ordway’s downtown area, bringing it back to life. CPI hopes that their role in raising awareness about the effort and supporting this vision will help to achieve the town’s goals.

5. Pearl Theater

If you’ve been to Buena Vista, there’s a good chance you’ve spotted the red sign for the Pearl Theater on Main Street. Originally constructed during the town’s Wild West heyday of the 1880s, this building once housed a all-encompassing mercantile that sold groceries, alcohol, and many other items. As CPI notes, there was even a basketball court found upstairs.

This former life ended when the building was purchased in 1951 and turned into the Pearl Theater, which soon became a beloved facet of the local community. While a failing wall and a compromised roof resulted in the town deeming the Main Street theater unsafe, the same family behind its original transformation still operates the Comanche Drive-In nearby.

Today, the Pearl Theater faces potential demolition if it’s not stabilized soon with the owning family searching for ways to bring the theater back to life. CPI is working with this family to help further their effort to preserve the building, which is what the organization describes as an “irreplaceable piece of small-town Americana.”

Learn more about Colorado Preservation, Inc. and its ‘Endangered Places’ program here.

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