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While Jen Kolise is new to the Colorado Springs area, she is not
new to the field of archaeology. She began working as the Pinon
Canyon Maneuver Site archaeologist in September 2013, and in May,
she took a job as the Fort Carson cultural resources manager with
the Directorate of Public Works (DPW).
She said it is not
uncommon that people do not know her position exists.
“People don’t realize the Army, or even DOD as a whole, has
archaeologists who work for them,” Kolise said. “As a federal agency
we must abide by several laws and regulations that concern cultural
resources and one of them is the National Historic Preservation Act,
which directs federal agencies to develop a historic preservation
program.”
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The World War II-era incinerator complex is now being used as a
storage facility on U.S. Army Fort Carson. The complex is located
near Gate 20 by the wastewater treatment facility. (Photo courtesy
of U.S. Army Fort Carson Cultural Resources Program)
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The cultural resources manager position has existed at
Fort Carson since the late 1990s, said Wayne Thomas, chief,
DPW Cultural Management Branch. Since 2013, Fort Carson has
had two government archaeologist positions. Prior to the
late 1990s, the National Park Service provided Fort Carson
with cultural resources specialists.
As the cultural
resources manager, Kolise must ensure Fort Carson remains in
compliance with the many laws and regulations.
“The
cultural resources manager is the installation’s expert on
cultural resources matters,” said Thomas. “Cultural
resources are a nonrenewable resource worthy of some form of
preservation.”
Kolise must review various projects
from Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon to determine the effects
on historic properties. She must also conduct cultural
awareness training and education to Soldiers and civilians
who use Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon training lands.
Fort Carson has approximately 4,000 cultural resources,
which includes archaeological sites, isolated findings and
historic buildings, Kolise said. It also includes
stand-alone buildings, objects and many more resources.
The cultural resources manager position encompasses many
areas including historic districts such as Fort Carson’s
Stone City, a mining complex and town; numerous prehistoric
habitation sites; numerous homesteads; and Turkey Creek
Ranch, home of Turkey Creek Rock Art, which Kolise said was
her neatest finding at Fort Carson so far.
“Jen is
passionate about preservation, but knows how to balance this
passion with supporting the training mission of the
installation,” Thomas said. “She comes with fresh and
innovative ideas on how to approach our management
responsibilities.”
Working on an Army installation,
Kolise said all federal agencies must consider the effects
they have on historic property. Any significant cultural
resource including any archaeological site, building or
finding that is eligible for the National Register of
Historic Places are protected, she said. Training,
construction projects and anything that happens on federal
property or needs a federal permit is reviewed to ensure the
cultural resources will be protected, according to Kolise.
People using the training areas must be educated on what to do
should they find something significant. After something is found it
is reported to the cultural resource department to be investigated
by Kolise. At this point, any training or construction in the area
comes to a halt until it is determined whether or not it is a
cultural resource.
Kolise tries to limit the amount of
adverse effects on properties to protect the historic properties on
Fort Carson, which includes repurposing sites so they continue to
get use.
“The Turkey Creek Historic Ranch has been reused by
the Army for the (Fort Carson) Mounted Color Guard, as well as one
of our fire stations,” said Kolise. “By reusing these historic
properties we are able to better maintain them.”
Mining
tycoon and philanthropist Spencer Penrose owned Turkey Creek Ranch
and raised livestock there. “It is being used in the same way it
would have been used during Penrose’s time,” Kolise said.
Having found cultural resources that could date back 10,000 years,
Kolise expressed the excitement of her job.
“You never know
(what you will find) when you go out there,” Kolise said. “We will
never find 100 percent of all the cultural resources in any one
place.”
By U.S. Army Aleah Castrejon, Fort Carson Public Affairs Office
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2018
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