The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways program is a statewide partnership intended to provide educational, recreational and economic benefits to Coloradans and visitors. These outstanding touring and vacation routes afford the traveler interpretation and identification of key points of interest and services while providing for the protection of natural resources.

Scenic and Historic Byways are nominated by local partnership groups and designated by the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission for their exceptional scenic, historic, cultural, recreational, and natural features. A couple of new Byways have been designated since I first published this list but now (2011), contemplation of new ones has been stopped for several years. Some of the Byways' non-profit support and maintenance volunteer organizations have ceased operating but most of these Scenic and Historic Byways are in better "condition" than they were when they were first designated.

I understand that the Silver Thread has been extended to incorporate a leg from Lake City to Gunnison (we did that with the Scenic Highway of Legends, also, when we got the Apishapa Road included back in 2002). And the Tops of the Rockies Scenic Byway has been extended across Independence Pass to Aspen (Yaay!)

The big question now (2012) is will the Federal Highway Administration (and Congress) continue to fund the National Scenic Byway program... they did recently end funding for the National Scenic Byways resource office in Duluth, Minnesota.

The Nokhu Crags, Cache la Poudre Scenic Byway
The Nokhu Crags, Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway
Map of Colorado's Scenic BywaysLariat Loop Scenic and Historic BywaySan Juan SkywayTrail of the Ancients Scenic BywayAlpine Loop Back Country BywayUnaweep-Tabeguache Scenic and Historic BywaySilver Thread Scenic and Historic BywayLos Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic BywayScenic Highway of LegendsWest Elk LoopGrand Mesa Scenic and Historic BywayCollegiate Peaks Scenic BywayGold Belt Tour Back Country BywayTop of the Rockies Scenic BywayDinosaur Diamond Prehistoric HighwayGuanella Pass Scenic BywayMount Evans Scenic BywayFlat Tops TrailColorado River Headwaters Scenic BywayTrail Ridge RoadPeak to Peak Scenic and Historic BywayCache la Poudre-North Park Scenoc BywaySanta Fe Trail Historic BywayPawnee Pioneer TrailsSouth Platte River Trail
Colorado's Scenic Byways
Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway, between Hot Sulphur Springs and Kremmling