Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways Commission
About the Commission
The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways program is a statewide partnership intended to provide recreational, educational, and economic benefits to Coloradans and visitors by designating, interpreting, protecting, and promoting a system of outstanding touring routes in Colorado.
Mission: The Commission is a partnership to evaluate and designate the state’s Scenic and Historic Byways and to develop and recommend funding sources and provide administrative support to sustain the byways for future generations. (Commission Approved 12/7/12).
Vision: Guiding travelers to experience and be inspired by treasured places that comprise Colorado's Scenic and Historic Byways. (Commission Approved 5/14/13).
- The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission and state agencies will work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, local byways organizations and public and private resources to serve as a resource in the development of both infrastructure and byway management plans, including interpretation, promotion, and protection of distinctive byway characteristics.
- The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission will help coordinate the budgeting process and allocation of federal, state, and private funds for the purpose of byway improvements.
- The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission will continue to evaluate and recommend for designation Scenic and Historic Byways that depict Colorado's diversity, both regionally and physiographically. The Commission will endeavor to ensure that all regions of the state are fairly represented within the system of designated Scenic and Historic Byways.
- The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission will consider extensions to previously designated routes. The original proponent of the route must co sponsor the extension. Proponents of route extensions are expected to prepare a nomination package as specified in the nomination procedures.
- Designated byways are subject to periodic review with emphasis on the implementation of measures to ensure maintenance and enhancement of their scenic, historical, cultural, wildlife, recreational, educational, geological and natural features. Failure to maintain and enhance a byway may result in termination of designation.
- The proposed Scenic and Historic Byway must possess unusual, exceptional, and/or distinctive scenic, recreational, historical, educational, scientific, geological, natural, wildlife, cultural, or ethnic features.
- The proposed Scenic and Historic Byway must be suitable for the prescribed type(s) of vehicular use.
- The proposed Scenic and Historic Byway must be an existing route and have legal public access.
- The proposed Scenic and Historic Byway must have strong local support and proponents must demonstrate coordination with relevant agencies.
- The proposed Scenic and Historic Byway must be accompanied by a conceptual plan, as specified in the nomination process.
Consists of up to 15 Members for a three-year term.
Name, County/Location | Affiliation | Appointed Date | Term Expiration |
Rep. Matt Soper, Delta (R) | State Legislature | 04-15-22 | 01-01-25 |
Kelli Hepler, Delta (U) | At-Large | 04-15-22 | 01-01-25 |
Heidi Colleen Pankow, Ouray (U) | Western Byways | 04-15-22 | 01-01-25 |
Nicole Hill, Rapid City, SD (U) |
U.S. Forest Service |
01-12-24 | 01-01-25 |
Ilana Moir, Grand Junction (U) | Land Trusts and Open Space | 04-15-22 | 01-01-25 |
Sami Powers, Denver, (U) | At-Large | 04-15-22 | 01-01-25 |
Imogen Ainsworth, Durango (U) | At-Large | 01-12-24 | 01-01-25 |
Barbara Bowman, Grand Junction (U) | Transportation Commission | 01-06-23 | 01-01-26 |
Christopher Bowles, Denver (U) | Preservation | 01-06-23 | 01-01-26 |
Andrew Grossmann, Denver (D) | Colorado Tourism Board | 01-06-23 | 01-01-26 |
Jeff Christenson, Dolores (U) | Bureau of Land Management | 01-12-24 | 01-01-27 |
Christine Costello, Denver, (D | Council Creative Industries | 01-12-24 | 01-01-27 |
Talia Siens, Loveland (U) | Eastern Plains Byway Organization | 01-12-24 | 01-01-27 |
Ex-Officio Members
Name, County/Location | Affiliation | Appointed Date | Term Expiration |
---|---|---|---|
Patrick Eidman, Denver (U) | History Colorado State Historical Fund | 01-06-23 | 01-01-26 |
Debbie Lininger, Denver (R) | Department of Natural Resources | 04-15-22 | 01-01-24 |
Traci Stoffel, Denver (D) | Executive Director of Department of Local Affairs | 12-31-20 | 01-01-24 |
Darius Pakbaz, Denver (D) | Executive Director of CDOT Division of Transportation Development | 01-06-23 | 01-01-26 |
2025 Meeting Information
2025 Meeting Dates
9:30 a.m. to noon:
Feb. 5, 2025
May 7, 2025
Aug. 6, 2025
Nov. 5, 2025
2025 Colorado Byways Commission Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025
9:30am to noon
Time zone: America/Denver
Google Online Meeting
Or dial: (US) +1 650-781-1106
PIN: 937 736 364#
More phone numbers
Previous Years Meeting Materials
Only the current meeting materials are available on this page. For access to previous year's meeting materials, contact [email protected].