Las Barracas is significant as one of the last surviving examples of agricultural labor housing in the county.

Boulder County, Colo. - Las Barracas, located on the Boulder County Golden Farm open space property near Longmont, has been named to the first national list of Endangered Latinx Landmarks, released by Latinos in Heritage Conservation.

The 2025 list recognizes thirteen sites across ten states that represent migration, resilience, cultural expression, and survival — and that now face urgent threats including demolition, neglect, displacement, and climate change.

Las Barracas was nominated by Boulder County Parks & Open Space staff. The site dates back to the World War II era, when the structure was originally constructed as a military barrack. In the mid-20th century, it was repurposed by the Tanaka family to house Mexican migrant farmworkers who labored in Boulder County’s agricultural fields.

Las Barracas is significant as one of the last surviving examples of agricultural labor housing in the county, offering a tangible connection to the intertwined histories of war, migration, labor, and community resilience. It stands as an important cultural landmark that reflects the contributions of Latinx farmworkers, whose stories have historically been excluded from mainstream preservation narratives.

“Las Barracas is more than a building — it is a living testament to the generations of Latinx immigrant and later migrant laborers who played a central role in Boulder County’s agricultural history. Preserving this site means honoring their stories of resilience and struggle, and ensuring that future generations understand how their work helped feed and sustain our communities," said Elisabeth Ríos-Brooks, Cultural Resource Program Coordinator, Boulder County Parks & Open Space.

According to Latinos in Heritage Conservation, the thirteen sites on this year’s list have an average founding year of 1927, nearly a century old. While many sites of similar age already enjoy federal protection, Latinx landmarks remain underrepresented: fewer than 1% of properties on the National Register of Historic Places reflect Latinx history.

“Preservation is about equity, recognition, and survival,” said Sehila Mota Casper, Executive Director of Latinos in Heritage Conservation. “Sites like Las Barracas hold the everyday stories that built this country, and naming them is the first step toward protecting them."

About Latinos in Heritage Conservation

Latinos in Heritage Conservation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing historic preservation in Latinx communities. Through advocacy, education, and grantmaking, LHC empowers communities to protect places that matter.

Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 is Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month

The Boulder County Commissioners have proclaimed Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month in Boulder County and called on residents to participate in and to celebrate the significant contributions of our Hispanic and Latinx communities.