Colorado Byways receive national award
DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado is receiving national recognition for its efforts to improve and publicize its Scenic and Historic Byways program.
The state was presented with two awards by the National Scenic Byway Foundation. One for communications and one for viewshed improvements.
The communications award was given for the Instagram campaign, #ColoradoByways. According to CDOT, the campaign was a visual storytelling project that highlighted the rich history, beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and more along each of the 26 Scenic and Historic Colorado Byways.
For seven months, #ColoradoByways showcased a new Colorado Byway weekly in different regions across the state.
“Colorado has 13 National Byways, more than any other state, so our Scenic and Historic Byways program is one of our prized assets,” said Colorado Department of Transportation Executive Director Shoshana Lew.
The Viewshed Improvements Award was given for The Silver Thread National Scenic Byway. The Silver Thread National Scenic Byway crosses the central San Juan Mountains along Lake San Cristobal, Colorado’s second-largest natural lake near Lake City.
According to CDOT, the visitor experience was enhanced by maintaining the visual corridor of the lake overlook, creating additional activities along the byway with the enhanced outdoor recreation and lake shore access, and establishing an outdoor classroom site where eventual interpretive programs will be offered to byway visitors, protecting the only archipelago in Colorado, increasing the ADA fishing and, increasing “spaces of solace” for byways visitors.
“Lake San Cristobal is a hidden gem in the Colorado countryside,” said Hinsdale County Commissioner Kristie Borchers. “We are pleased to accept this national award to recognize the work of Hinsdale County, Trust for Public Land, Great Outdoors Colorado, and private donors protecting this viewshed by purchasing the peninsula.
According to officials, the awards were presented to CDOT a few weeks ago by the National Scenic Byway Foundation presentation in Leavenworth, Kan.
CDOT established the Scenic and Historic Byways program in 1989. It supports 26 byways, including 13 America’s Byways, 10 National Forest Scenic Byways, and two Bureau of Land Management Backcountry Byways. The statewide system is comprised of nearly 2,600 miles of roadway through 48 of Colorado’s 64 counties.
