Update: Local officials have swiftly addressed earlier communication gaps with the Colorado State Scenic and Historic Byways Commission. Vice-Chair Charlotte Bumgarner reconsidered her choice to replace one of the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway’s images at the state capitol display—and may even allow a Lake County photo into Denver International Airport’s exhibit. Moreover, the Commission and county representatives will soon meet to ensure the Top of the Rockies route retains its Scenic Byway designation. We’ll share developments as they unfold.
By Kathy Bedell, Leadville Today
If you’ve driven any of Lake County’s highways—Highway 82 over Independence Pass, Highway 24 past Camp Hale, or Highway 91 toward Climax—you’ve traveled the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway. This 82-mile loop is one of Colorado’s 26 state-designated Scenic Byways and one of 11 honored at the national level. It crests the Continental Divide twice, follows the upper Arkansas River, and offers unmatched views of Colorado’s highest peaks.
DIA Exhibit Overlooked Local Gems
When Denver International Airport announced an art installation featuring Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways—exposed to 27 million travelers from May through September 2018—Lake County stakeholders eagerly awaited which local scenes would be highlighted at the Jeppesen Terminal. Might we see the Tenth Mountain Division Memorial, the streets of historic Leadville, or the Climax Mine against the Sawatch Range?
Missing the Mark
As it turns out, the Top of the Rockies submission consisted of two photographs of Independence Pass—one looking east toward Aspen, the other west into Lake County—chosen from submissions by the Aspen Historical Society and the Independence Pass Foundation. According to Vice-Chair Charlotte Bumgarner, those were the only entries she received for the byway. “The Top of the Rockies group just isn’t very active,” she noted, explaining that efforts to gather images locally had stalled.
With the deadline behind us, neither the Tenth Mountain Division nor Leadville’s Main Street will appear in the airport display. After its run at DIA, the exhibit will move to the Colorado State Capitol during the 2019 legislative session—again, without broader Lake County representation.
Designation at Risk
Perhaps more troubling: the Top of the Rockies route has fallen out of compliance with Commission requirements. Annual reviews rank each Scenic Byway; this year, TOR sits at the bottom of the list and could face losing its designation if local partners don’t step up. “Someone needs to get their act together,” Bumgarner concluded.
What’s Next?
Local tourism and economic development officials have already re-engaged with the Byways Commission, and a meeting is in the works to plan stronger collaboration. If you care about showcasing Lake County’s landscapes and protecting the Top of the Rockies’ scenic status, now is the time to get involved. Contact the Colorado State Scenic and Historic Byways Commission:
Charlotte Bumgarner, Vice-Chair
Colorado State Scenic and Historic Byways Commission
cb4mile@hughes.net • 719-689-2461
Let’s ensure Lake County’s byway truly reflects the grandeur it deserves.
