The
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sover ...
of
Colorado
Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of t ...
currently has 26
Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways
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 highwa ...
with of roadway. Of these 26 byways, 21 currently have at least one federal designation. These 26 byways include:
*2
All-American Road
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one or more of six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic. The program was established by Co ...
s designated by the
Federal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a division of the United States Department of Transportation that specializes in highway transportation. The agency's major activities are grouped into two programs, the Federal-aid Highway Program a ...
;
*11
National Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one or more of six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic. The program was established by Co ...
s designated by the
Federal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a division of the United States Department of Transportation that specializes in highway transportation. The agency's major activities are grouped into two programs, the Federal-aid Highway Program a ...
;
[
*10 ]National Forest Scenic Byway
The National Forest Scenic Byways are roads that have been designated by the U.S. Forest Service as scenic byways. Many are also National Scenic Byways (NSB). The program was initiated in 1987.
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List
The following roadways were listed b ...
s designated by the United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service (USFS) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands. The Forest Service manages of land. Major divisions of the agency inc ...
;
*3 Back Country Byways designated by the Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior responsible for administering federal lands. Headquartered in Washington DC, and with oversight over , it governs one eighth of the country's la ...
; and
*All 26 Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways designated by the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission
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 highwa ...
.
For full information about all these scenic byways, see the List of Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways
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 highwa ...
.
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List of All-American Roads in Colorado
There are currently two All-American Roads in Colorado with of roadway.
#San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway
The San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway is a All-American Road, National Forest Scenic Byway, and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, and San Miguel counties, Colorado, U ...
#Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Scenic Byway
The Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway is a All-American Road and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Rocky Mountain National Park in Larimer and Grand counties, Colorado, USA. The byway consists of the Trail Ridg ...
List of National Scenic Byways in Colorado
There are currently 11 National Scenic Byways in Colorado with of roadway. Two adjacent National Scenic Byways in New Mexico have of roadway. Two adjacent National Scenic Byways in Utah
Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to it ...
have of roadway. Two adjacent National Scenic Byways in Arizona
Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...
have of roadway.
#Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
The Colorado River Headwaters National Scenic Byway is an National Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Eagle and Grand counties, Colorado, US. The byway follows the upper Colorado River from Grand Lake down to Stat ...
#Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway
The Dinosaur Diamond is a scenic and historic byway loop through the dinosaur fossil laden Uinta Basin of the U.S. states of Utah and Colorado. The byway comprises the following two National Scenic Byways:
*The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric High ...
#Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway
The Frontier Pathways is a National Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Custer and Pueblo counties, Colorado, US.
Route
Gallery
File:Greenhorn Mountain.JPG, Greenhorn Mountain
File:Hardscrabble Pass.JPG, Hardscrab ...
#Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway
The Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway is a National Scenic Byway, a Back Country Byway, and a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Fremont and Teller counties, Colorado, USA. The byway is named for the Gold Belt mining region. ...
#Highway of Legends Scenic Byway
A highway is any public or private road or other public way on land. It is used for major roads, but also includes other public roads and public tracks. In some areas of the United States, it is used as an equivalent term to controlled-access ...
#Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway
The Lariat Loop National Scenic and Historic Byway is a National Scenic Byway and a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Jefferson County, Colorado, USA. The byway is a loop in the Front Range foothills west of Denver through Golden, Col ...
#Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway
The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway is a National Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Prowers, Bent, Otero, and Las Animas counties, Colorado, USA. The byway follows the Santa Fe National Historic Tr ...
#Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway
Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag (from the Latin ', derived from the Proto-Indo-European ''h₂erǵ'': "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical cond ...
#Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway
The Top of the Rockies National Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in the high Rocky Mountains of Eagle, Lake, Pitkin, Summit counties, Colorado, United States. The byway showcases the two hi ...
#Trail of the Ancients Scenic and Historic Byway
A trail, also known as a path or track, is an unpaved lane or small road usually passing through a natural area. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian or hiking trail. T ...
List of National Forest Scenic Byways in Colorado
There are currently ten National Forest Scenic Byways in Colorado with of roadway.
#San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway
The San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway is a All-American Road, National Forest Scenic Byway, and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, and San Miguel counties, Colorado, U ...
# Grand Mesa Scenic Byway
#Highway of Legends Scenic Byway
A highway is any public or private road or other public way on land. It is used for major roads, but also includes other public roads and public tracks. In some areas of the United States, it is used as an equivalent term to controlled-access ...
#Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway
Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag (from the Latin ', derived from the Proto-Indo-European ''h₂erǵ'': "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical cond ...
#Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway
The Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway is a National Forest Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Jackson and Larimer counties, Colorado, US.
See also
*History Colorado
*List of scenic byways in Colorado
*Scenic b ...
# Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway
#Guanella Pass Scenic Byway
The Guanella Pass Scenic Byway is a National Forest Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Clear Creek and Park counties, Colorado, USA. The byway traverses Guanella Pass at elevation in Arapaho and Pike national forest ...
#Mount Evans Scenic Byway
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is a National Forest Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Clear Creek and Jefferson counties, Colorado, United States. The byway ascends to of elevation near the summit of Mount Evans, ma ...
#Peak to Peak Scenic Byway
The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is a National Forest Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Gilpin, Boulder, Larimer counties, Colorado, USA. The Peak to Peak Highway was originally built in 1918 and provides views of the ...
#West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway
The West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway is a National Forest Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Delta County, Colorado, Delta, Garfield County, Colorado, Garfield, Gunnison County, Colorado, Gunnison, Montrose Coun ...
List of Back Country Byways in Colorado
There are currently three Back Country Byways in Colorado with of roadway.
#Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway
The Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway is a National Scenic Byway, a Back Country Byway, and a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Fremont and Teller counties, Colorado, USA. The byway is named for the Gold Belt mining region. ...
#Alpine Loop Back Country Byway
The Alpine Loop Back Country Byway is a rugged Back Country Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in the high San Juan Mountains of Hindale, Ouray, and San Juan counties, Colorado, USA. The byway connects the mountain town ...
#Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway
The Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway is a Bureau of Land Management Back Country Byway, Back Country Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Alamosa County, Colorado, Alamosa, Conejos County, Colorado, Conejos, and C ...
Two federal designations
Five scenic byways in Colorado have two federal designations.
The following scenic byway is an All-American Road, a National Forest Scenic Byway, and a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway:
*San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway
The San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway is a All-American Road, National Forest Scenic Byway, and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, and San Miguel counties, Colorado, U ...
The following three scenic byways are National Scenic Byways, National Forest Scenic Byways, and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways:
* Grand Mesa Scenic Byway
*Highway of Legends Scenic Byway
A highway is any public or private road or other public way on land. It is used for major roads, but also includes other public roads and public tracks. In some areas of the United States, it is used as an equivalent term to controlled-access ...
*Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway
Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag (from the Latin ', derived from the Proto-Indo-European ''h₂erǵ'': "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical cond ...
The following scenic byway is a National Scenic Byway, a Back Country Byway, and a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway:
*Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway
The Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway is a National Scenic Byway, a Back Country Byway, and a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Fremont and Teller counties, Colorado, USA. The byway is named for the Gold Belt mining region. ...
List of Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways
There are currently 26 Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways with of roadway. Three adjacent scenic byways in New Mexico have of roadway. Two adjacent scenic byways in Utah
Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to it ...
have of roadway. Two adjacent scenic byways in Arizona
Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...
have of roadway.
#Alpine Loop Back Country Byway
The Alpine Loop Back Country Byway is a rugged Back Country Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in the high San Juan Mountains of Hindale, Ouray, and San Juan counties, Colorado, USA. The byway connects the mountain town ...
#Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway
The Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway is a National Forest Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Jackson and Larimer counties, Colorado, US.
See also
*History Colorado
*List of scenic byways in Colorado
*Scenic b ...
#Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway
The Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway is a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Chaffee and Lake counties, Colorado, US. The Byway follows the upper Arkansas River past the Collegiate Peaks, featuring eight of the highest peaks in the Roc ...
#Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
The Colorado River Headwaters National Scenic Byway is an National Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Eagle and Grand counties, Colorado, US. The byway follows the upper Colorado River from Grand Lake down to Stat ...
#Dinosaur Diamond Scenic and Historic Byway
The Dinosaur Diamond is a scenic and historic byway loop through the dinosaur fossil laden Uinta Basin of the U.S. states of Utah and Colorado. The byway comprises the following two National Scenic Byways:
*The Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric High ...
# Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway
#Frontier Pathways Scenic Byway
The Frontier Pathways is a National Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Custer and Pueblo counties, Colorado, US.
Route
Gallery
File:Greenhorn Mountain.JPG, Greenhorn Mountain
File:Hardscrabble Pass.JPG, Hardscrab ...
#Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway
The Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway is a National Scenic Byway, a Back Country Byway, and a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Fremont and Teller counties, Colorado, USA. The byway is named for the Gold Belt mining region. ...
# Grand Mesa Scenic Byway
#Guanella Pass Scenic Byway
The Guanella Pass Scenic Byway is a National Forest Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Clear Creek and Park counties, Colorado, USA. The byway traverses Guanella Pass at elevation in Arapaho and Pike national forest ...
#Highway of Legends Scenic Byway
A highway is any public or private road or other public way on land. It is used for major roads, but also includes other public roads and public tracks. In some areas of the United States, it is used as an equivalent term to controlled-access ...
#Lariat Loop Scenic and Historic Byway
The Lariat Loop National Scenic and Historic Byway is a National Scenic Byway and a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Jefferson County, Colorado, USA. The byway is a loop in the Front Range foothills west of Denver through Golden, Col ...
#Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway
The Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway is a Bureau of Land Management Back Country Byway, Back Country Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Alamosa County, Colorado, Alamosa, Conejos County, Colorado, Conejos, and C ...
#Mount Evans Scenic Byway
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is a National Forest Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Clear Creek and Jefferson counties, Colorado, United States. The byway ascends to of elevation near the summit of Mount Evans, ma ...
#Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic Byway
The Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic and Historic Byway is a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Logan, Morgan, and Weld counties, Colorado, USA. The byway explores the Pawnee Buttes region and Pawnee National Grassland of northeaster ...
#Peak to Peak Scenic Byway
The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is a National Forest Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Gilpin, Boulder, Larimer counties, Colorado, USA. The Peak to Peak Highway was originally built in 1918 and provides views of the ...
#San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway
The San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway is a All-American Road, National Forest Scenic Byway, and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, and San Miguel counties, Colorado, U ...
#Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway
The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway is a National Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Prowers, Bent, Otero, and Las Animas counties, Colorado, USA. The byway follows the Santa Fe National Historic Tr ...
#Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway
Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag (from the Latin ', derived from the Proto-Indo-European ''h₂erǵ'': "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical cond ...
#South Platte River Trail Scenic and Historic Byway
The South Platte River Trail Scenic and Historic Byway is a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Sedgwick County, Colorado, USA. The byway follows the historic trails used during westward expansion. The route, which includes County Ro ...
#Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway
The Top of the Rockies National Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in the high Rocky Mountains of Eagle, Lake, Pitkin, Summit counties, Colorado, United States. The byway showcases the two hi ...
#Tracks Across Borders Scenic and Historic Byway
The Tracks Across Borders Scenic and Historic Byway is an Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in La Plata and Archuleta counties, Colorado, USA. From Durango, Colorado, the southern terminal of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge R ...
#Trail of the Ancients Scenic and Historic Byway
A trail, also known as a path or track, is an unpaved lane or small road usually passing through a natural area. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a path or footpath is the preferred term for a pedestrian or hiking trail. T ...
#Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Scenic Byway
The Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway is a All-American Road and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Rocky Mountain National Park in Larimer and Grand counties, Colorado, USA. The byway consists of the Trail Ridg ...
#Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway
The Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway is a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Mesa, Montrose, and San Miguel counties, Colorado, USA. The byway explores the Colorado Plateau canyon country of far western Colorado.
The Unaweep T ...
#West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway
The West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway is a National Forest Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Delta County, Colorado, Delta, Garfield County, Colorado, Garfield, Gunnison County, Colorado, Gunnison, Montrose Coun ...
See also
*Scenic byways in the United States
Many roads and highways in the United States are labeled scenic byways for having exceptional scenic, historical, archaeological, natural, cultural, or recreational significance. These scenic routes are usually formally designated by national, stat ...
Notes
References
External links
America's Byways
Bureau of Land Management Back Country Byways
Colorado Department of Transportation
Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways Commission
*
Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways
Colorado Travel Map
Colorado Tourism Office
History Colorado
National Forest Scenic Byways
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scenic byways in Colorado, List of
Lists of roads in Colorado