List of Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways explained

Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways
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Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways[1] [2] [3] are highway and backroad routes in the U.S. state of Colorado designated by the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission[4] for their scenic and historic values. These byways follow existing roads or highways and are signed with a Colorado blue columbine (the Colorado state flower) logo denoting the route. The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Program was established in March 1989, and is one of the oldest state scenic byway programs. Since 1989, the program has designated 26 Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways with 2585miles of roadway, 4459miles including scenic byway extensions in adjacent states.

In addition to state scenic byway designations, four federal agencies designate specific types of scenic byways:

  1. The Federal Highway Administration designates and (the highest designation.)
  2. The National Park Service administers congressionally authorized
  3. The United States Forest Service designates and manages in National Forests and National Grasslands.
  4. The Bureau of Land Management designates and manages in areas managed by the BLM.

The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission works closely with these four federal agencies to select scenic and historic byways that meet federal criteria. Of the 26 current Colorado designated byways, 21 already have a federal designation as well. These include two All-American Roads,[5] 11 National Scenic Byways,[5] ten National Forest Scenic Byways,[6] and three Back Country Byways.[7]

The 13 combined All-American Roads and National Scenic Byways in Colorado are currently the most of any state. Five Colorado byways currently have two federal designations. The San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway is both an All-American Road and a National Forest Scenic Byway. The Grand Mesa National Scenic Byway, the Highway of Legends National Scenic Byway, and the Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway are both National Scenic Byways and National Forest Scenic Byways. The Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway is both a National Scenic Byway and a Back Country Byway.__TOC__

Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission

The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission[8] was established in 1989 to administer the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Program. The Governor of Colorado appoints the members of the commission.[9]

The program is a statewide partnership intended to provide recreational, educational, and economic benefits to residents and visitors by designating, interpreting, protecting, and promoting a system of outstanding touring routes in Colorado.
Proposed routes are nominated by local communities and approved by the Commission, but byway development is managed at the local level.

The Commission works with:

The Commission uses the following criteria to select potential byways:

  1. The proposed Scenic and Historic Byway must possess unusual, exceptional, and distinctive scenic, recreational, historical, educational, scientific, geological, natural, wildlife, cultural, or ethnic features.
  2. The proposed Scenic and Historic Byway must be suitable for the prescribed types of vehicular use.
  3. The proposed Scenic and Historic Byway must be an existing route and have legal public access.
  4. The proposed Scenic and Historic Byway must have strong local support and proponents must demonstrate coordination with relevant agencies.
  5. The proposed Scenic and Historic Byway must be accompanied by a conceptual plan, as specified in the nomination process.

The Commission favors proposed byways with both scenic and historic features. Byways with predominantly scenic features are labeled a "Scenic Byway" or a "National Scenic Byway" if also an All-American Road or a National Scenic Byway. Byways with predominantly historic features are labeled a "Historic Byway". Byways with both strong scenic and historic features are labeled a "Scenic and Historic Byway".

List

Table of the 26 Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways
scope=colNamescope=colLength
scope=col class=unsortableSouthern or western terminusscope=col class=unsortableNorthern or eastern terminusscope=colDatescope=colDescriptionscope=col class=unsortable
scope=rowAlpine Loop Back Country BywayLoop from Ouray to Engineer Pass, Capitol City, Lake City, Lake San Cristobal, Cinnamon Pass, and back to Ouray, or on to Animas Forks and Silverton1989This byway traverses the rugged San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado; also a Back Country Byway.[10] [11] [12]
scope=rowCache la Poudre-North Park Scenic BywayWaldenFort Collins1991This byway explores Poudre Canyon, Cameron Pass, and North Park in north-central Colorado; also a National Forest Scenic Byway[13] [14] [15]
scope=rowCollegiate Peaks Scenic BywayPoncha Springs or SalidaSH 82 north of Granite2015This byway follows the Arkansas River past the majestic Collegiate Peaks in central Colorado.[16] [17] [18]
scope=rowColorado River Headwaters Scenic BywayState BridgeGrand Lake2008This byway follows the headwaters of the Colorado River in north-central Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway.[19] [20] [21]
scope=rowDinosaur Diamond Scenic and Historic BywayLoop from Grand Junction to Colorado NM, Fruita, Douglas Pass, Rangely, Dinosaur, Dinosaur NM, Vernal, Duchesne, Price, Green River, Arches NP, Moab, and back to Grand Junction1997This byway loops through the dinosaur fossil laden canyon country of northwestern Colorado and northeastern Utah; also a National Scenic Byway.[22] [23]
scope=rowFlat Tops Trail Scenic BywaySH 13 in MeekerSH 131 in Yampa1991 This byway traverses the Flat Tops range of northwestern Colorado; also a National Forest Scenic Byway.[24] [25] [26]
scope=rowFrontier Pathways Scenic BywayWestcliffe in Pueblo or 1998This byway passes through the Wet Mountains region of south-central Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway.[27] [28] [29]
scope=rowGold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic BywayLoop from Cañon City to Florence, Phantom Canyon, Victor, Cripple Creek, Florissant Fossil Beds NM, Florissant, Royal Gorge, and back to Cañon City2000This byway explores the historic Gold Belt mining region of central Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway and a Back Country Byway.[30] [31] [32]
scope=rowGrand Mesa Scenic BywayCedaredge1991This byway crosses the Grand Mesa in western Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway and a National Forest Scenic Byway.[33] [34] [35]
scope=rowGuanella Pass Scenic BywayUS 285 near Grant in Georgetown1991This byway crosses the beautiful Front Range mountains of central Colorado; also a National Forest Scenic Byway.[36] [37] [38]
scope=rowHighway of Legends Scenic Byway in TrinidadWalsenburg or Aguilar2021This byway circles the historic Spanish Peaks of south-central Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway and a National Forest Scenic Byway.[39] [40] [41]
scope=rowLoop from Golden to Lookout Mountain Park, Genesee Park, Evergreen, Morrison, Red Rocks Park, Dinosaur Ridge, Mount Vernon, Dakota Cut, and back to Golden2002This byway explores the Front Range foothills west of Denver; also a National Scenic Byway.[42] [43] [44]
scope=rowLos Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic BywayCumbres PassAlamosa2000This byway traverses the historic San Luis Valley to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in south-central Colorado ; also a Back Country Byway.[45] [46] [47]
scope=rowMount Blue Sky Scenic Byway in Idaho SpringsSH 74 in Bergen Park1991This byway climbs to the 14271feet summit of Mount Blue Sky in central Colorado; also a National Forest Scenic Byway.[48] [49] [50]
scope=rowPawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic BywayAultSterling or Fort Morgan1992This byway explores the shortgrass prairie region of Pawnee National Grassland in northeastern Colorado.[51] [52] [53]
scope=rowPeak to Peak Scenic BywayBlackhawkEstes Park1989This byway crosses the Front Range foothills to Rocky Mountain National Park in north-central Colorado; also a National Forest Scenic Byway.[54] [55] [56]
scope=rowSan Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic BywayLoop from Durango to Coal Bank Pass, Molas Pass, Silverton, Red Mountain Pass, Ouray, Ridgway, Dallas Divide, Telluride, Lizard Head Pass, Rico, Dolores, Canyons of the Ancients NM, Cortez, Mesa Verde NP, Mancos, and back to Durango1989This byway loops through the spectacular San Juan Mountains to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado; also an All-American Road and National Forest Scenic Byway.[57] [58] [59]
scope=rowSanta Fe Trail Scenic and Historic BywaySanta Fe, New MexicoUS 50 east of Holly, Colorado1991This byway follows the Santa Fe National Historic Trail through southeastern Colorado and northern New Mexico; also a National Scenic Byway.[60] [61]
scope=rowSilver Thread Scenic and Historic BywayUS 160 in South ForkUS 50 west of Gunnison1989This byway traverses the historic San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway.[62] [63] [64]
scope=rowSouth Platte River Trail Scenic and Historic BywayLoop from Julesburg to Ovid and back to Julesburg1991This byway explores the historic Pony Express region of northeastern Colorado.[65] [66] [67]
scope=rowTop of the Rockies Scenic BywayAspen near Minturn or at Copper Mountain1993This byway explores the highest region of the Rocky Mountains located in central Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway.[68] [69] [70]
scope=rowTracks Across Borders Scenic and Historic BywayDurango, ColoradoDulce, New Mexico or Chimney Rock National Monument, Colorado2015This byway follows a historic narrow-gauge railroad route through the Ute and Apache lands of southwestern Colorado and northern New Mexico.[71]
scope=rowTrail of the Ancients Scenic and Historic BywayLoop from Cortez to Canyons of the Ancients NM, Lowry Pueblo, Hovenweep NM, Bluff, Goosenecks, Mexican Hat, Monument Valley, Kayenta, Mexican Water, Four Corners Monument, Ute Mountain, Towaoc, Yucca House NM, and back to Cortez1994This byway loops through the historic Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and the Four Corners region of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico; also a National Scenic Byway.[72] [73]
scope=rowTrail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Scenic BywayGrand LakeEstes Park1996This crosses the magnificent Rocky Mountain National Park in north-central Colorado; also an All-American Road.[74] [75] [76]
scope=rowUnaweep Tabeguache Scenic BywayPlacervilleWhitewater1990This byway explores the Colorado Plateau canyon country of western Colorado.[77] [78] [79]
scope=rowWest Elk Loop Scenic and Historic BywayLoop from Carbondale to Redstone, McClure Pass, Paonia, Hotchkiss, Gunnison, Crested Butte, Kebler Pass, and back to Carbondale1991This byway explores the historic West Elk Mountains of west-central Colorado; also a National Forest Scenic Byway.[80] [81] [82]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways. 2022. Colorado Department of Transportation. July 2, 2022.
  2. Web site: Colorado: The Official Guide to the Scenic and Historic Byways. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2016. March 19, 2022.
  3. Web site: Colorado's Scenic & Historic Byways. 2022. Colorado Tourism Office. March 19, 2022.
  4. Web site: Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways Commission. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 19, 2022.
  5. Web site: America’s Byways. Federal Highway Administration. March 25, 2022.
  6. Web site: America's Scenic Byways: Colorado. America's Scenic Byways. March 25, 2022.
  7. Web site: Back Country Byways. Bureau of Land Management. March 25, 2022.
  8. Web site: Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways Commissionyear=2022. Colorado Department of Transportation. July 2, 2022.
  9. Web site: Executive Order B 2014 002. Office of the Governor. 2014. July 2, 2022.
  10. Web site: Alpine Loop. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  11. Web site: Alpine Loop. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  12. Web site: Alpine Loop. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  13. Web site: Cache la Poudre-North Park. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  14. Web site: Cache la Poudre - North Park. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  15. Web site: Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  16. Web site: Collegiate Peaks. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  17. Web site: Collegiate Peaks. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  18. Web site: Collegiate Peaks Byway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  19. Web site: Colorado River Headwaters. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  20. Web site: Colorado River Headwaters. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  21. Web site: Colorado River Headwaters Byway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  22. Web site: Dinosaur Diamond. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  23. Web site: Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway - Colorado. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  24. Web site: Flat Tops Trail. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  25. Web site: Flat Tops Trail. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  26. Web site: Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  27. Web site: Frontier Pathways. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  28. Web site: Frontier Pathways. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  29. Web site: Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  30. Web site: Gold Belt Tour. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  31. Web site: Gold Belt Tour. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  32. Web site: Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  33. Web site: Grand Mesa. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  34. Web site: Grand Mesa. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  35. Web site: Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  36. Web site: Guanella Pass. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  37. Web site: Guanella Pass. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  38. Web site: Guanella Pass Road. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  39. Web site: Highway of Legends. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  40. Web site: Highway of Legends. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  41. Web site: Highway of Legends. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  42. Web site: Lariat Loop. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  43. Web site: Lariat Loop. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  44. Web site: Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  45. Web site: Los Caminos Antiguos. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  46. Web site: Los Caminos Antiguos. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  47. Web site: Los Caminos Antiguos. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  48. Web site: Mount Blue Sky. Colorado Tourism Office. 2024. July 8, 2024.
  49. Web site: Mount Evans. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  50. Web site: Mount Evans Scenic Byway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  51. Web site: Pawnee Pioneer Trails. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  52. Web site: Pawnee Pioneer Trails. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  53. Web site: Pawnee Pioneer Trails. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  54. Web site: Peak to Peak. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  55. Web site: Peak to Peak. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  56. Web site: Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  57. Web site: San Juan Skyway. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  58. Web site: San Juan Skyway. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  59. Web site: San Juan Skyway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  60. Web site: Santa Fe Trail. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  61. Web site: Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway - Colorado. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  62. Web site: Silver Thread. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  63. Web site: Silver Thread. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  64. Web site: Silver Thread Scenic Byway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  65. Web site: South Platte River Trail. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  66. Web site: South Platte River Trail. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  67. Web site: South Platte River Trail. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  68. Web site: Top of the Rockies. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  69. Web site: Top of the Rockies. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  70. Web site: Top of the Rockies. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  71. Web site: Tracks Across Borders. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  72. Web site: Trail of the Ancients. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  73. Web site: Trail of the Ancients - Colorado. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  74. Web site: Trail Ridge Road. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  75. Web site: Trail Ridge Road: Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  76. Web site: Trail Ridge Road / Beaver Meadow Road. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  77. Web site: Unaweep Tabeguache. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  78. Web site: Unaweep Tabeguache. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  79. Web site: Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.
  80. Web site: West Elk Loop. Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. March 28, 2022.
  81. Web site: West Elk Loop. Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. March 28, 2022.
  82. Web site: West Elk Loop. America's Scenic Byways. March 28, 2022.

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