May 11th, 2016

​Coal Creek School was approved and added to the Rio Blanco County Historical Register, January 2014. Also, the Rio Blanco Rural School Research Committee, led by Janet Clark, was approved for a historical preservation assessment grant which served to begin the process of historic preservation!
As this is the first rural school in Rio Blanco County still standing on its original site, the goal to be on the State and National Register and approved for restoration was very important.

August 2014, word was received that the Coal Creek School was approved on the State and National Register!

Fundraising for historical preservation has been in full swing since that time. One of the first fundraisers was a Rural School Box Social and Dance!  at the Buford Rural School. $1800 was raised from the dessert auction toward the preservation. See photos here: Dessert Box Social and Dance

Others fundraisers have taken place to move toward meeting the first phase matching grant from Historic Colorado. Phase 1 goal was $44,243.00 To date, this has been reached. Community citizens along with the town and county and all those who love history have been very supportive of this ongoing preservation project.

Bids for construction were opened March 14, 2016. In April, MM-Eight Construction was awarded the contract with construction on the exterior to be completed summer 2016.

Donations for Phase 2 to renovate the interior began immediately. This phase is still in progress and the race is on to complete the renovation in time for the school’s 125th birthday fall of 2017.