Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways Commission

Note: Currently, there is a moratorium on letters of interest and/or nominations.

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).

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  1. 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.
  2. The proposed Scenic and Historic Byway must be suitable for the prescribed type(s) 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.

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

Resources

Commission Bylaws

2014 Executive Order | Continuing the Scenic and Historic Byways Commission


2024 Meeting Information

Dates & Locations

  • February 7, 2024 (virtual)
  • May 1, 2024 (In-Person, Alamosa, Colorado Byways Symposium 2024)
  • August 7, 2024 (virtual)
  • November 6, 2024 (virtual)

Previous Years Meeting Materials

Commission Meetings

Join the Byways Commission Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 879 8795 4996
Passcode: 3Fg48X

Wednesday, Feb. 1
9:30 a.m. - Noon
Online via Zoom

Feb. 1, 2023 Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, May 3
9:30 a.m. - Noon

May 3, 2023 Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, Aug. 2
9:30 a.m. - Noon

Wednesday, Nov. 1
9:30 a.m. - Noon

Commission Meetings

Join the Byways Commission Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 975 851 1272
Passcode: 2YMRX5

Wednesday, Feb. 2
9:30 a.m. - Noon
Online via Zoom

Feb. 2, 2022 Meeting Minutes
Feb. 2, 2022 Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, May 11
9:30 a.m. - Noon
Online via Zoom

May 11, 2022 Meeting Minutes

May 11, 2022 Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, Aug. 3
9:30 a.m. - Noon
Online via Zoom
August 3, 2022 Meeting Minutes
August 3, 2022 Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, Nov. 2
9:30 a.m. - Noon
Online via Zoom

2022 Colorado Byways Annual Meeting

Google Online Meeting

Time: Thursday, October 13 (1:30-4 pm) &
Friday, October 14, 2022 (9-11:30 a.m.)
Location: Online Only 
Or dial: (US) +1 513-818-3779

PIN: 403 759 969#

Thursday, Oct. 13
1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Online via Google Meet

Friday, Oct. 14
9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Online via Google Meet 
 

Commission Meetings

2021 Colorado Byways Annual Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 18
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Online via Zoom

Commission Meetings

Program Meetings

Commission Meetings

All meetings are from 9:30 a.m. to noon, unless otherwise noted.

Program Meetings


Byways Commissioners

Commission Meetings

Byways Program Meetings

  • May 10
    8:30-10 a.m.
    Byways Gathering at the Partners in the Outdoors Conference
    Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center
    Mercury Boardroom (in Building #4)
    620 Village Road
    Breckenridge 80424

  • Oct. 29
    10 a.m. - 4 p.m., with social hour nearby after
    Byways Annual Meeting
    in conjunction with Governor's Tourism Conference
    Hotel Talisa
    1300 Westhaven Drive
    Vail 81657

Byways Meetings

Commission Meetings

Oct. 25
See meeting notes
Jan. 27
See meeting notes
April 28
See meeting notes
July 28
See meeting notes
Oct. 12
See meeting notes