Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways
WHAT: RMGA MEETING - COLORADO SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAYS
WHEN: Monday February 13, 2012 6:30pm Networking 7:00pm Program
WHERE: The Wildlife Experience, 10035 Peoria Street, Parker, CO 80134. The meeting is in the Atrium Great Hall
PROGRAM: Lenore Bates has worked at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) as the Colorado scenic and Historic Byways Program Manager since May 2010. Her excellent credentials include understanding of grass-roots collaborations and community building, as well as her abilities to lead and develop specific programs.
The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways program is a statewide partnership and was created in 1989 and the byways are selected based on their exceptional scenic, historic, cultural, recreational, and natural features.
There are currently 25 outstanding touring byways in Colorado that afford the traveler interpretation and identification of key points of interest and services while providing for the protection of significant resources.
There are 150 nationally designated scenic byways across the country, and of Colorado’s 25 Scenic and Historical Byways, 11 have national designation.
Guide Line Review
COLORADO'S SCENIC & HISTORIC BYWAYS
The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Program, a statewide partnership under CDOT, is intended to provide recreational, educational, historic and economic benefits to Coloradans and guests alike. This system of outstanding touring routes in Colorado affords the traveler interpretation and identification of key points of interest and services while providing for the protection of significant resources. Scenic and Historic Byways are nominated by local partnership groups and designated by the Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways Commission for their exceptional scenic, historic, cultural, recreational, and natural features.
The overall umbrella of the program began in 1989; Colorado was one of the first states to put it together. A Governor's Task Force recommended creating the program which led to an Executive Order in March, 1989. The first designations were made the following September. From 60 nominations, 25 diverse routs have been designated with 7 extensions: a total of 2,524 miles of state and county roads!
The 25 Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways are (those marked with an asterisk are also American Byways):
*Colorado River Headwaters *Frontier Pathways Peak to Peak
*San Juan Skyway *Lariat Loop Los Caminos Antiguos
West Elk Loop *Trail Ridge Road *Grand Mesa
Highway of the Legends Flat Tops Trail Unaweep Tabeguache
Alpine Loop *Top of the Rockies Mount Evans
*Cache La Poudre - North Park *Dinosaur Diamond Guanella Pass
South Platte River Trail *Trail of the Ancients Pawnee Pioneer Trails
Collegiate Peaks *Gold Belt Tour *Santa Fe Trail
Silver Thread
Right now there is not much technology available on many of the Scenic Byways, but an effort working to get good-looking cell towers is being made. Also being worked on is a mobile app with www.Tagwhat.com where it's free for businesses to add their information.
There is also work being done on tourism and promotion geared toward attracting younger people back outdoors, called "Healthy Family Travel". Components include Food (chefs are working on healthy food options, Farm-to-Table, menus with stories connected to the land and By-ways): Lodging (family friendly camping); Retail (geared toward families); and Outdoor Activities (for different age groups, handicapped, etc.). Work is being done to promote Byways to RV rallies and motorcyclists. Motorcycle safety maps are on the CDOT website.
The website for Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways is www.coloradobyways.org. Click on "Travel Center", then under "Quick Lines", click "Colorado Scenic Byways" which brings you to an interactive map and you can click on any of Byways. It brings up an information page on each one. Another CDOT website is www.cotrip.org which gives traveler information on road/weather conditions, traffic, roadwork, etc.
Information and an interactive map of the Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways is also on the Colorado Tourism Office website: www.colorado.com.
--Valerie Booze