Ann Pritzlaff, a consultant on preservation, has been named chair of the state agency History Colorado. (Photo courtesy of History Colorado)
The former state historic preservation officer for Arizona and a veteran of Colorado’s efforts to preserve its past is taking the helm of the History Colorado board. Ann Alexander Pritzlaff will have a prime role in overseeing the rare taxpayer-supported state agency that also must .
She has been a member of the board for 11 years but her work in preservation extends to more than 35 years, the organization said in an announcement Tuesday morning.
“Ann is truly dedicated to the History Colorado mission,” stated Ed Nichols, History Colorado’s president and CEO. “She has been a major player in transforming our business model to one based on a healthy mix of public, earned and contributed support for preservation, exhibits and programming that have impact, appeal to multiple audiences, and are sustainable.”
History Colorado bills itself as “the keeper of Colorado’s treasures—the over 15 million stories, images and artifacts of our heritage, a trusted resource for history education statewide, and a forum for civic, civil debate about today’s issues in a historical context.”
Pritzlaff has been an appointee to the state Historic and Preservation Review Board by three governors: Republican Bill Owens and Democrats Bill Ritter and John Hickenlooper. She was approinted by President George W. Bush to serve as an historic preservation expert to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Last May she received from Colorado Preservation Inc. for her efforts to preserve, promote and share historical treasures at the local, state and national levels.
Pritzlaff also serves on the boards for the National Western Stock Show and the University of Colorado’s Center for the American West, as well as on the Board of Advisors of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
“Heading the History Colorado board is profoundly important to me,” Pritzlaff stated in the organization’s announcement. “No other organization can help Coloradans understand the present in the context of the past, so that informed decisions can be made for the future. No other organization can serve as a forum for civic, civil discussion about today’s issues in a historical context the way History Colorado does. And no other organization has the obligation that we do to preserve the places and the unique stories of Colorado.”
She takes over a board that has the scrutiny of state legislators after indicated lax accounting for state procurement cards. Auditors found that about 60 percent of History Colorado’s 134-person staff had been approved to use the credit cards with lax accounting.
“While some smaller purchases are to be expected for smaller functions, these transactions included frequent charges to procurement cards for a single lunch or a single cup of coffee at places like Quiznos, Noodles and Company, the History Colorado Center concessionaire, Panera Bread or Starbucks,” the Office of the State Auditor said at the time.
Nichols that auditors made no suggestions of fraud. He said the organization had hired a new controller and put in policies to assure better accountability and accounting.
