Happy Spring from the Program for Avocational Archaeological Certification (PAAC)!

Inside this issue:

Introducing the New PAAC Newsletter!

To keep you informed of all PAAC events - past, present and future - we’ve launched this newsletter! Expect it three times a year: May (Spring), October (Fall), and January (Winter). We’ll send important updates between issues as opportunities arise, but this will be your go-to for highlights and program successes.

Workshop Success: State & National Register Nominations

A big thank you to everyone who joined the State & National Register Nomination Workshop on April 12-13! Learning how to nominate sites to these official registers is a vital step in recognizing and protecting significant historic and archaeological places in Colorado. 

Photo: PAAC Workshop participants document a sample "archaeological site." credit History Colorado

On Saturday, Eric Newcombe (State & National Register Historian and Coordinator at History Colorado) expertly guided participants through the nomination process. Sunday featured hands-on practice, with the group working on nomination forms for a hypothetical archaeological site and reviewing several real nominations. 

Missed this one? We plan to offer this valuable workshop again, with both online and in-person options. Keep an eye on our announcements for future dates!

Ongoing Website Updates: Improving Your Online Experience

 Thanks for your patience as we continue to improve the PAAC website! We’re working hard behind the scenes to make it a better, more user-friendly resource for all our participants. If you happen to encounter any broken links or missing pages during your visit, please let Sarah Allaun know by emailing hc_publicarchaeology@state.co.us. Your feedback helps us fix issues quickly!

Navigating the PAAC Website:

Here’s a quick guide to the main pages: 

PAAC Landing Page: Sign up for PAAC & our email list, register for upcoming workshops via the calendar, request transcripts, and self-report credit. 

Program Introduction Page: Learn about PAAC - why take classes, program offerings, class types, and certification structure. 

Code of Ethics Page: Review the ethical principles guiding PAAC participation. 

Online Lecture Series Page: Access our free PAAC online lectures on History Colorado’s YouTube. Paid content, like the recorded Historical Archaeology Workshop (coming soon - first lecture free!), will also be posted here. You can also self-report credit for viewing lectures directly from this page.  

Field Projects Page (NEW!): Find all the information you need about ongoing PAAC field projects and how to apply.  

Helpful Resources Page: Links to Colorado archaeology laws, Historic & Prehistoric Context documents (perfect for deeper reading!), the Colorado Encyclopedia, and more. 

Contact Us Page: Contact information for the Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (OAHP) staff & dedicated volunteers who support PAAC and contact details for all current Local PAAC Coordinators.  

FAQ Page: Answers to frequently asked questions. If your question isn’t listed, please email us!

Photo: Callie the dog surveying on the Pawnee National Grassland, photo credit: Todd Surovell

Get Your Boots Dirty! Join the Office of the State Archaeologist of Colorado for 2025 PAAC Summer Field Projects!

That’s right, folks! PAAC summer fieldwork is BAAC! Earn 8 credit hours towards your PAAC certification by joining us. 

Dr. Sarah Allaun, Colorado Assistant State Archaeologist, will lead exciting archaeological fieldwork in Weld County, Colorado. No archaeological experience is required, but comfort with hiking and camping is recommended. Three late summer sessions are planned:  

Session 1: State Land Board PAAC Survey, August 11-20

Session 2: Pawnee National Grassland Survey & Testing, September 1-5

Session 3: Pawnee National Grassland Survey & Testing, September 8-10

Important Application Details: 

We anticipate high interest for a limited number of spots. Selection is primarily first-come, first-served, but we aim to accommodate as many participants as possible across the sessions. Participation for a full session duration is not required and cannot be guaranteed for all applicants. A waitlist will be maintained once spots are filled. Notifications of participation status and confirmed dates will be sent out to applicants by June 18. Please do not reserve lodging until OAHP staff have confirmed your participation dates. Waitlisted individuals will be notified in sign-up order if spots become available.

Summer Field Projects with PaleoCultural Research Group (PCRG) - PAAC Credit Eligible!

Our partners at PCRG have planned several fantastic summer field projects at Chancellor Ranch, Las Animas County and Rio Grande National Forest, Saguache County. Participation is eligible for PAAC credit (8 credit hours). 

Apply: Applications are open. Due to high demand, PCRG is currently using a waitlist. Join the waitlist!

Questions? For questions specifically about these PCRG projects, please contact PCRG directly.

Earn PAAC credit when you participate in online lectures and webinars. Check out some of these online learning opportunities: 

Join the Colorado Archaeological Society!

Looking to connect with fellow archaeology enthusiasts in your area? Joining your local Colorado Archaeological Society (CAS) chapter is a great way to engage through lectures, field trips, and community events that complement your PAAC involvement. Don’t forget, attending local CAS chapter seminars also counts towards PAAC credit! Explore the different CAS chapters across the state and see what they have to offer by visiting their website.

Manage Your PAAC Progress Online:

We’ve updated the PAAC website to make managing your participation easier. You can now: 

We are continually developing PAAC programming, so keep an eye out for announcements about new opportunities! Through programs like PAAC, we strive to build & connect a community trained to help record, preserve, and advocate for Colorado’s cultural resources. Thank you for your participation!

Have questions? Contact us at hc_publicarchaeology@state.co.us. You can also find contact information for PAAC staff, volunteers, and CAS Local PAAC Coordinators on our website's Contact Us page.

Sarah A. Allaun, Assistant State Archaeologist, Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation

Liz Cook, Staff Resource Specialist - Education & Programming, Office of Archaeology & Historic Preservation