The function of the Landmark Preservation Commission is to designate, preserve, enhance, and perpetuate structures or districts that have architectural, historical, geographic or cultural significance within the city of Denver.
Agenda items for consideration can include the following:
- Recommendations to City Council on historic designations
- Design review for new construction, alterations, demolitions and zone lot amendments for designated historic properties/districts
- Review of historic rehabilitation tax credit projects
- Adoption of policies and procedures related to historic preservation
General Meeting Information
- Time and date: The commission meets the first and third Tuesdays of every month at 1 p.m.
- Location: Meetings are held in Room 4.F.6 of the Webb Municipal Building (201 West Colfax Ave) with virtual options via Teams for applicants and members of the public.
- Virtual access: Members of the public may participate virtually via Teams. Meeting links and call-in information is posted for every meeting.
See info for July 1st meeting
See info for July 15th meeting
Language and ADA Assistance
Denver’s Department of Community Planning and Development (CPD) complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or gender to include language. It is your right to request oral or written language assistance services in your primary language, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations, if needed. Please visit our language services page to fill out our language services request form, and these services will be provided free of charge. If you have any questions, contact CPD’s Operations Team at cpdoperations@denvergov.org.
Language and ADA Services at CPD
Submission and Staff Review
Once a project is submitted, Landmark Preservation staff works with the applicant to ensure that the project meets the design guidelines, the materials are complete and to write a staff report and create a presentation for LPC members that includes a recommendation of approval, approval with conditions, or denial for the project. Because this process takes several weeks, complete submittals must be received at least four weeks prior to a commission meeting date to have a chance to make it onto that agenda.
Agendas are capped at a certain number of projects. Projects with complete applications are added to the agendas on a first come first served basis, and once an agenda is full, projects are scheduled for the next available LPC meeting. Please note that when we receive a high volume of projects, specific dates are not guaranteed.
Helpful Downloads
The commission is made up of nine Denver members who are appointed by the mayor, serve three-year terms and receive no compensation. Members must include the following:
- two recommended by Denver's American Institute of Architecture
- two recommended by History Colorado
- two recommended by the Planning Board
- two at-large members
- one member appointed by the American Society of Landscape Architects
Larry Sykes, Vice-Chair
- Nominated by History Colorado
- Term expires 3/31/2028
Larry Sykes is a licensed architect with over fifteen years of experience, focused on residential architecture. His professional experience includes additions to and renovations of historic homes in addition to well-crafted contemporary projects. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, and was 2020 co-chair of the AIA Colorado Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He previously served as a member of the Denver Public Art Committee. Larry holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and is the owner of architecture firm Sykes Projects.
Erika Warzel, Chair
- At large member
- Term expires 3/31/2026
Erika Warzel has over fifteen years of professional experience in historic preservation and architectural history, with projects across Colorado. Before founding Clerestory Preservation, a historic preservation consulting firm in Denver, Erika worked for over a decade with the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office. A fourth-generation Coloradan, Erika has a B.A. from St. John's College in Santa Fe and an M.S. in Historic Preservation from Columbia University. She is especially interested in how historic places can help tell the untold or underrepresented stories of our collective past.
Nick Foussianes
- Nominated by the American Institute of Architects
- Term expires 3/31/2026
Nick Foussianes is an experienced business leader, entrepreneur, architect, and real estate developer. With more than 30 years of diverse global experience, Nick is an expert in development, commercial brokerage, project management, and architecture. He has extensive office, industrial, retail, and single and multi-family building experience. Nick began his career as a Project Architect at Ratio, Perkins + Will, SOM in Chicago before making the switch to commercial real estate when he joined JLL leading to a boutique Southern California Development firm, where he took on the role of Commercial Re-Development Lead. In 2008 Nick co-founded Mission Equities, a full service commercial real estate investment, development, brokerage services, strategy, and consulting firm, the umbrella firm (now known as NBF Architecture + Development) under which he has undertaken all professional engagements and development projects since. Nick completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture & Urban Planning and Building Economics, followed by his Master’s degree in Architecture and Finance from the University of Michigan.
Emily Hazen
- Nominated by Denver Planning Board
- Term expires 6/31/2027
Emily Hazen is a preservationist and designer who joined the LPC in 2024, nominated by the Denver Planning Board. She has Master of Preservation Studies and Master of Architecture degrees from Tulane University in New Orleans. Her entrepreneurial career path provides extensive experience in design, project management, business development, client coordination and creative problem solving. She has a passion for adaptive reuse, renovation and contextually sensitive infill - allowing historic structures to meet the needs of the present and future.
Rusty Brown
- Nominated by the American Institute of Architects
- Term expires 6/31/2027
Christopher McInnis
- Mayor Appointee in lieu of American Society of Landscape Architects nomination
- Term expires 6/31/2027
Chris McInnis is a forensic architect who has over 20 years of construction related experience. He specializes in the assessment and repair design of existing and historic structures. His primary focus has been on assessment and evaluation of historic structures in the Rocky Mountain region. He has been the Project Manager on several locally significant projects. Because of his project experience, he understands the Secretary of Interiors Standards as well as local and state guidelines. Mr. McInnis is experienced with various building assemblies, including a variety of historic building materials such as brick masonry, granite, sandstone, terra cotta, and various historic roofing types. Before becoming a licensed architect, Mr. McInnis worked as an owner contractor for seven years and specialized in site development and segmental retaining walls. He holds a 5-year professional Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech.
Elizabeth Caswell Dyer
- Nominated by History Colorado
- Term expires 3/31/2028
Elizabeth Caswell Dyer, Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Sopra Communities, Inc., holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the University of St. Thomas and a Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Miami. Prior to moving into the field of community management, Elizabeth worked in real estate law, specializing in condominium and homeowner associations in South Florida. Upon moving to Denver in 2002, Elizabeth managed several historic reconstructions in downtown Denver, and then was promoted to the corporate level as an analyst, where she worked on acquisitions as well as financial reporting to owners and investors. She was recruited into community management, where she managed a large portfolio for another firm prior to starting out on her own in 2010. In 2008, Elizabeth was a member of the Downtown Denver Partnership’s Leadership Program and was the first winner of the John Parr Leadership Award for Leadership Skills and Community Service. Elizabeth has served on a large variety of local boards and committees. She recently was named to the Community Associations Institute Foundation’s Think Tank and has been named a Colorado Titan 100 for 2023 and 2024.
Brie Samyn
- Nominated by Denver Planning Board
- Term expires 3/31/2028
Brie Samyn (Say-min) is a senior project manager and certified interior designer with over 10 years of progressive experience in commercial interior design and construction project management. As an A&D practitioner, she brings a comprehensive knowledge of the architectural process and construction coordination. Working in Denver and New York City’s commercial markets, she has garnered extensive experience managing complex projects totaling over 500,000 SF and multi-million dollar budgets and leading them to successful completion. Her market sector expertise includes workplace interiors, commercial amenity spaces, historic structures, retail, healthcare facilities, as well as residential design. Brie has a bachelor's degree in interior design as well as a minor in architectural history from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She is the board secretary of Docomomo US/Colorado and volunteers with local non-profit organizations advocating for Colorado's historic and modern architecture.
Lars Bildman
- Mayor Appointee
- Term expires 3/31/2028