Timeline of Congressman Larson’s Efforts on Coltsville
July 24, 2025
The City of Hartford completes a two-year project to restore the Sam Colt Monument in Colt Park. The restoration project, partially funded by the National Park Service (NPS) cultural resource preservation funds, stabilized the base of the monument and restored the bronzing of the statues and relief panels.
January 30, 2025
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issues an environmental stewardship permit memorializing the completed and ongoing cleanup and the long-term environmental monitoring obligations at Coltsville.
December 10, 2024
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) hosts a virtual public meeting regarding the draft environmental stewardship permit, allowing the public the opportunity to make comments and ask questions.
November 7, 2024
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEEP) makes a tentative determination to issue an environmental stewardship permit identifying the requirements to ensure the completion of environmental cleanup and the long-term environmental monitoring obligations at Coltsville.
July 3, 2024
Colt Gateway submits a draft environmental stewardship permit application to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEEP).
December 18, 2023
Rep. Larson, alongside the National Park Service, announces a new general agreement and a clear path forward to donate property for Coltsville National Historical Park. This is the last major milestone before the official establishment of the park, which will bolster the economic growth at the Colt Complex and ensure visitors can appreciate and learn about the legacy of Coltsville for decades to come.
March 10, 2022
Rep. Larson secures $1 million to restore the Colt Gardner's Cottage and Colt Carriage House at Coltsville National Historical Park. These funds will allow the City of Hartford to restore these properties for historical preservation and public use.
December 21, 2021
Rep. Larson meets with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to receive briefing on the status of establishing the park.
October 4, 2021
Rep. Larson attends the grand reopening of Colt Park. Several of Colt Park’s athletic fields and its walkway were recently renovated. These renovations were partially funded by a grant Larson helped secure.
October 28, 2019
Rep. Larson meets with National Park Service Acting Director David Vela to discuss the progress of finalizing the park's establishment and receives a commitment that the agency will prioritize its completion.
July 5, 2018
Rep. Larson secures $750,000 grant from the National Park Service for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the City of Hartford to make renovations and improvements to Colt Park.
June 7, 2018
$135,000 U.S Department of Transportation Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant awarded to the iQuilt Partnership to create wayfinding signs in and around the Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighborhood to improve pedestrian access to Coltsville.
January 10, 2018
H.R. 863 is signed into law by President Trump, becoming P.L. 115-111.
February 27, 2017
H.R. 863 passes the House of Representatives.
February 3, 2017
Rep. Larson introduces legislation to make needed technical changes to facilitate the parks establishment moving forward (H.R. 863).
December 4, 2014
The Coltsville National Historical Park Act is signed into law by President Obama as part of the Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (P.L. 113-291).
February 27, 2014
The Coltsville National Historical Park Act is reported favorably out of the National Resources Committee.
April 24, 2013
Coltsville legislation receives a subcommittee hearing in the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee where the National Park Service testifies in support of the bill.
March 19, 2013
Rep. Larson and Senators Blumenthal and Murphy reintroduce the Coltsville National Historical Park Act to officially establish Coltsville as a National Historical Park.
September 24, 2011
At Rep. Larson's invitation, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visits Coltsville Historic District and pledges support for Larson's legislation to designate Coltsville as a National Historical Park.
October 14, 2008
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announces that Coltsville has been officially named a National Historic Landmark.
July 21, 2008
The National Park Service Advisory Board votes to approve Coltsville's bid to become a national Historic Landmark.
April, 2008
Rep. Larson secures $7 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for roadway improvements along Huyshope Avenue, Sequassen Street, Van Dyle Avenue in the Coltsville area.
December 5, 2007
Rep. Larson testifies in front of the National Park Service Commission in support of Coltsville's designation as a National Historic Landmark.
October 20, 2004
Rep. Larson, Senators Dodd and Lieberman send a letter in advance of Public Scoping Meeting as part of the Coltsville Special Resource Study led by the National Park Service in support of Coltsville's inclusion in the National Park System.
October 7, 2003
President George W. Bush signs the Coltsville Study Act into law.
September 23, 2003
The Coltsville Study Act, sponsored by Rep. Larson, passes the U.S. House of Representatives.
July 9, 2003
The Coltsville Study Act, sponsored by Rep. Larson, passes the House Natural Resources Committee.
April 8, 2003
National Park Service testifies in support of the Coltsville Study Act, sponsored by Congressman Larson.
January 30, 2003
Rep. Larson and Senators Dodd and Lieberman reintroduce the Coltsville Study Act which would study the possibility of including Hartford's historic Coltsville property in the National Park System.
June 20, 2002
Rep. Larson testifies in support of the Coltsville Study Act during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks.
May 15, 2002
Rep. Larson, Senators Dodd and Lieberman introduce legislation calling for a Coltsville Study.