List of Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways

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Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways
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  • Colorado State Highway System

Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways are highway and backroad routes in the U.S. state of Colorado designated by the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission 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 2,585 miles (4,160 km) of roadway, 4,459 miles (7,176 km) 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 National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads (the highest designation).
  2. The National Park Service administers congressionally authorized National Parkways.
  3. The United States Forest Service designates and manages National Forest Scenic Byways in National Forests and National Grasslands.

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,[1] 11 National Scenic Byways,[1] ten National Forest Scenic Byways,[2] and three Back Country Byways.[3]

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.

Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission

The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission[4] was established in 1989 to administer the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Program. The Governor of Colorado appoints the members of the commission.[5]

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
Name Length (mi) Length (km) Southern or western terminus Northern or eastern terminus Date Description Ref
Alpine Loop Back Country Byway 63 101 Loop from Ouray to Engineer Pass, Lake City, Lake San Cristobal, Cinnamon Pass, and back to Ouray, or on to Animas Forks and Silverton 1989 This byway traverses the rugged San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado; also a Back Country Byway.[a][b] [6][7][8]
Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway 101 163 Walden Fort Collins 1991 This byway explores Poudre Canyon, Cameron Pass, and North Park in north-central Colorado; also a National Forest Scenic Byway [9][10][11]
Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway 57 92 Poncha Springs or Salida SH 82 north of Granite 2015 This byway follows the Arkansas River past the majestic Collegiate Peaks in central Colorado. [12][13][14]
Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway 80 130 State Bridge Grand Lake 2008 This byway follows the headwaters of the Colorado River in north-central Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway.[c] [15][16][17]
Dinosaur Diamond Scenic and Historic Byway 134 216 Loop from Grand Junction to Colorado National Monument, Fruita, Douglas Pass, Rangely, Dinosaur, Dinosaur National Monument, Vernal, Duchesne, Price, Green River, Arches National Park, Moab, and back to Grand Junction 1997 This byway loops through the dinosaur fossil laden canyon country of northwestern Colorado and northeastern Utah; also a National Scenic Byway. [18][19][20]
Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway 82 132 SH 13 in Meeker SH 131 in Yampa 1991 This byway traverses the Flat Tops range of northwestern Colorado; also a National Forest Scenic Byway.[b][c] [21][22][23]
Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway 103 166 Westcliffe I-25 exit 98B in Pueblo or I-25 exit 74 1998 This byway passes through the Wet Mountains region of south-central Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway. [24][25][26]
Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway 131 211 Loop from Cañon City to Florence, Phantom Canyon, Victor, Cripple Creek, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant, Royal Gorge, and back to Cañon City 2000 This byway explores the historic Gold Belt mining region of central Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway and a Back Country Byway.[c][d] [27][28][29]
Grand Mesa Scenic Byway 63 101 Cedaredge I-70 exit 49 1991 This byway crosses the Grand Mesa in western Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway and a National Forest Scenic Byway. [30][31][32]
Guanella Pass Scenic Byway 22 35 US 285 near Grant I-70 exit 232 in Georgetown 1991 This byway crosses the beautiful Front Range mountains of central Colorado; also a National Forest Scenic Byway.[b][c] [33][34][35]
Highway of Legends Scenic Byway 82 132 I-25 exit 14 in Trinidad Walsenburg or Aguilar 2021 This byway circles the historic Spanish Peaks of south-central Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway and a National Forest Scenic Byway.[b][c] [36][37][38]
Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway 40 64 Loop from Golden to Lookout Mountain Park, Genesee Park, Evergreen, Morrison, Red Rocks Park, Dinosaur Ridge, Mount Vernon, Dakota Cut, and back to Golden 2002 This byway explores the Front Range foothills west of Denver; also a National Scenic Byway [39][40][41]
Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway 129 208 Cumbres Pass Alamosa 2000 This byway traverses the historic San Luis Valley to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in south-central Colorado ; also a Back Country Byway [42][43][44]
Mount Evans Scenic Byway 49 79 I-70 exit 240 in Idaho Springs SH 74 in Bergen Park 1991 This byway climbs to the 14,271-foot (4,350 m) summit of Mount Evans in central Colorado; also a National Forest Scenic Byway.[b] [45][46][47]
Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic Byway 128 206 Ault Sterling or Fort Morgan 1992 This byway explores the shortgrass prairie region of Pawnee National Grassland in northeastern Colorado.[c] [48][49][50]
Peak to Peak Scenic Byway 55 89 Blackhawk Estes Park 1989 This byway crosses the Front Range foothills to Rocky Mountain National Park in north-central Colorado; also a National Forest Scenic Byway. [51][52][53]
San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway 236 380 Loop from Durango to Coal Bank Pass, MolasPass, Silverton, Red Mountain Pass, Ouray, Ridgway, Dallas Divide, Telluride, Lizard Head Pass, Rico, Dolores, Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum, Cortez, Mesa Verde National Park, Mancos, and back to Durango 1989 This 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. [54][55][56]
Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway 188 303 Santa Fe, New Mexico US 50 east of Holly, Colorado 1991 This byway follows the Santa Fe National Historic Trail through southeastern Colorado and northern New Mexico; also a National Scenic Byway. [57][58][59]
Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway 117 188 US 160 in South Fork US 50 west of Gunnison 1989 This byway traverses the historic San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway [60][61][62]
South Platte River Trail Scenic and Historic Byway 19 31 Loop from Julesburg to Ovid and back to Julesburg 1991 This byway explores the historic Pony Express region of northeastern Colorado. [63][64][65]
Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway 115 185 Aspen I-70 exit 171 near Minturn or I-70 exit 195 at Copper Mountain 1993 This byway explores the highest region of the Rocky Mountains located in central Colorado; also a National Scenic Byway.[b] [66][67][68]
Tracks Across Borders Scenic and Historic Byway 89 143 Durango, Colorado Dulce, New Mexico or Chimney Rock National Monument, Colorado 2015 This byway follows a historic narrow-gauge railroad route through the Ute and Apache lands of southwestern Colorado and northern New Mexico.[c] [69][70]
Trail of the Ancients Scenic and Historic Byway 116 187 Loop from Cortez to Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum, Lowry Pueblo, Hovenweep National Monument, Bluff, Goosenecks, Mexican Hat, Monument Valley, Kayenta, Mexican Water, Four Corners Monument, Ute Mountain, Towaoc, Yucca House National Monument, and back to Cortez 1994 This 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.[c] [71][72][73]
Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Scenic Byway 48 77 Grand Lake Estes Park 1996 This crosses the magnificent Rocky Mountain National Park in north-central Colorado; also an All-American Road.[b] [74][75][76]
Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway 133 214 Placerville Whitewater 1990 This byway explores the Colorado Plateau canyon country of western Colorado. [77][78][79]
West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway 205 330 Loop from Carbondale to Redstone, McClure Pass, Paonia, Hotchkiss, Gunnison, Crested Butte, Kebler Pass, and back to Carbondale 1991 This byway explores the historic West Elk Mountains of west-central Colorado; also a National Forest Scenic Byway.[b][c] [80][81][82]

Gallery

Notes

  1. ^ Most of the Alpine Loop Back Country Byway is on unimproved roads that require a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h A portion of this byway is closed in late autumn, winter, and early spring.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i A portion of this byway is on gravel road.
  4. ^ The Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway has three alternate routes. Vehicles over 25 feet (7.6 m) long are not allowed on the Phantom Canyon Road. The Shelf Road may require a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. The High Park Road is paved and does not have restrictions. The Garden Park Fossil Area on the Shelf Road is a National Natural Landmark.

References

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

External links

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