corridor management plan€¦ · in 2019 huerfano and las animas counties contracted for a pel...

Corridor Management Plan Scenic Highway of Legends — 2020

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CorridorManagementPlan

Scenic Highway of Legends Byway Close to Heaven, Down to Earth January2020

1/6/2020 Page 2 Corridor Management Plan Scenic Highway of Legends — 2020

Acknowledgments

Thisplanwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithouttheparticipationofbywaystakeholders,currentandpastmembersoftheGoverningBoard,andelectedofficialsofHuerfanoCountyandLasAnimasCounty.

ThisCorridorManagementPlanfortheScenicBywayofLegendswasadoptedonJanuary3,2020,ata

StakeholdersmeetingattheLaVetaMercantilebythefollowingcurrentandpastBoardMembersandCountyOfficials:

VickiKoepel,DirectorofCountyPlanning

CarlYoung,DirectorofHuerfanoCountyTourismBoard&HuerfanoCountyEconomicDevelopment

EvanKsander,HuerfanoCountyEventsCoordinator

MikeMoore,President,ScenicHighwayofLegends

CarolynNewman,HuerfanoCountyHistoricalSociety

JohnGalusha,HuerfanoCountyAdministrator

MartyHackett,TourismManager,CityofTrinidad

BobKennemer,DirectorFranciscoFortMuseum

DebraMalone,ProjectDirector,ScenicHighwayofLegends

DocumentProducedBy:TheGoverningBoard,ScenicBywayofLegendsJanuary2020 CoverPhoto:TheGreatDike,radiatingnorthfromthefootoftheSpanishPeaks,Photo:JohnWark

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

ExecutiveSummary……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4ScenicBywayLocationandDescription…………………………………………………………………………………………………..…… 5BywayCommunities……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6ScenicHighwayofLegendsPartnerOrganizations……….……………………………………………………………………………... 9ScenicHighwayofLegendsMap………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10Mission,VisionandGoals……………………………..……………………………………………………………………….………………….. 11TheTen-YearWorkPlan…………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………….12OrganizationalDevelopment………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..……13IntrinsicQualities………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………….14LegendsasCulturalInheritance………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………...21ResourceProtection……………………………………………..………………………………………………………………..……………….… 23Interpretation.…………..……………………..……………………………………………………………………..…………….………….….……24Marketing……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……25OutdoorAdvertising………………………………………………………………………….………………………………..………………….……31RoadwaySafetyandMaintenanceOversight………….……………………….………………………………..………………….…….33TrafficCharacteristics…………………………………………….……………………….………………………………..………………….…….36SafetyontheScenicHighwayofLegend………….……………………….………………………………..………………….…………..37GeneralCorridor-WideSafetyRecommendations…….………….………………………..………………..………………………….42ANewEra…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….……44

EXECUTIVESUMMARYToGuidetheWorkoftheBoardOFDirectors

TheScenicHighwayofLegendsJanuary2020

Colorado’sScenicHighwayofLegends(SHOL)hasjustcelebrateditsthirtiethanniversary.Theleaderswhohaveguidedtheorganizationforthepastdecadesfeltsuccessfulinthebalanceofpreservationandpromotion.Overthethirtyyears,theyproducedahandsomecollectionofmultimediamarketingmaterialsthatpairthestunningviewsoftheSpanishPeakswiththeauthenticcharmofthebyway’smountaintowns.Thesematerialsenjoyhighdemandfromvisitorcentersandwarmappreciationfromlocalbusinesses.Aseriesofpublicengagementmeetingsin2019havereinforcedhowdeeplylocalcitizensreveretheroadwayitself,andtreasureboththehistoryoftheregionandthelegendsthatcontinuetoenhancethemysticalqualityofthedrive.

Naturaleventsof2018,however,havedictatedthattheprioritiesthisbywayorganizationmustchange.TheSpringWildfire,thesecondlargest

wildfireinColorado’shistory,burned108,045acresofforest,withflamescomingrighttotheedgehighway12.Persistentdroughtconditions

andclimatechangehavesetthestagesothatwildlife,theSanIsabelNationalForest,thegeologicalfeatures,andthetownsthemselvesremainatriskfrombothfireandflooding.

In2019HuerfanoandLasAnimasCountiescontractedforaPEL(PlanningandEnvironmentalLinkages)Studythatisevaluatingthesafetyconditionsonthe82-mileScenicHighwayofLegendsByway,itssuitabilitytoserveastheSouthernLoopoftheFrontRangeBicycleTrail,anditspotentialsformultimodaltravelforlocalsandvisitorsalike.Publicinvolvementinthisplanningprocesshasbeenextensive,andhasmovedthebywaytotheforefrontofdiscussionsinallfiveofthebywaytowns.

Workinthefirstthirty-oneyearshasbeenaccomplishedthroughagencypartnerships,fundingofcompetitivegrantsofferedthroughtheFederalHighwaysAdministration,andthevolunteereffortsofahandfulofpeoplewhocomprisetheBywayBoard.However,tomeetboththeeconomicopportunitiesthatcomewithanewbreedofactiveoutdoorrecreationists

(describedinthePELStudy)andpossibilityofongoingweathereventsthatthreatentheNationalForest,amorerobustorganizationisneeded.Organizationalchangesnowunderwayincludebroaderrepresentationofstakeholders,recruitmentofanewgenerationofleaders,anewadministrative“homebase,”andaplanforfinancialsustainability.Thefirststepshavebeentakeninthereorganizationprocess,anditisthemembersofbothpreviousandnewlyformedBywayBoardsthathavecollaborativelyconstructedthisdocument.

Thiseditionwillbethefirstofaliving,ever-evolvingplantoguidetheworkofareconstitutedBoard,itsexpandingmembershipandlocalstakeholders.Itseemsfitthatthisversionisreleasedforreviewinthefirstweekofwhatpromisestobealivelydecade.

TheScenicHighwayofLegends,Inc.iscommittedtopromoting,preservingandprotectingthebyway’sresources.Weunderstandandappreciatetheuniquenessofourresourcesandtheneedtoprotectthemforalltime.

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SCENICBYWAYLOCATIONANDDESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

TheScenicHighwayofLegends,Inc.(SHOL)wascreatedinJune1987asagrassrootseffortofareabusinessesandresidentstobothpromotetourismandprotectthebyway’sextraordinarynaturalresources.Participantsincludedtwocounties,citiesandtowns,chambersofcommerce,economicdevelopmententitiesandagenciesmanagingstateandfederalpubliclands.TheroutewasofficiallynamedtheScenicHighwayofLegendsbyColoradoStateCongressionalResolution,afulltwoyearsbeforethelaunchofthestatebywaysprogram.TheSHOLwasdesignatedasoneofthefirstfiveColoradoStateScenicandHistoricBywaysonSeptember22,1989,thenearnedtheadditionaldesignationasaNationalForestScenicBywayonFebruary2,1990,fromtheUnitedStatesForestService.

LOCATIONANDROUTE

TheScenicHighwayofLegendsislocatedinsouthcentralColoradoonInterstate25aneasy3-hourdrivefromSantaFeandonlya2.5-hourdrivefromDenver.

TravelerscanenterthebywayfromI-25atWalsenburg,TrinidadandAguilar,orfromStateHighway160atLaVeta.Theyarequicklytransportedtoawellmaintained2-lanestatehighwaythatwindsthroughthemountainousterrainoftheSanIsabelForest(ANationalNaturalLandmark)andthetwinSpanishPeaksthatriseover7,000feetfromthevalleyfloor.ThescenicdriveisdominatedbyavisuallystunningseriesofgeologicalformationsincludingtheDevil’sStairsteps,ProfileRock,andGoemmer’sButte.FromthepanoramicviewonCucharasPass,onecanseetheseriesofradialdikesthatradiateineverydirectionfromthebaseoftheSpanishPeaks,andtheDakotaSandstoneWallspansthevalleyfloorfromnorthtosouth.

RadialDike(Photo:JohnWark)

BYWAYCOMMUNITIESTheScenicHighwayofLegendshasthreegatewaycommunitieswithWalsenburgonthenorth,LaVetatotheeastandTrinidadonthesouth.Thereareseveralsmallertownsandvillagessituatedinbetween.

Walsenburg:ACrossroadofCulturesAsthenortherngateway,theCityofWalsenburg,locatedonInterstate-25,pro-vides standard visitor services withrestaurants,bars,lodging,andantiqueshops.Anchoredbyaniconiccourthouse,Walsenburg’sHistoricDowntowniscomingalivewiththereopeningofthelandmarkFoxTheatre,a1917ArtDecomovieandperformingartscenter,anewartesianbrewery,9-holegolfcourse,coffeeshop,museumsandmurals.RecreationalopportunitiesarefoundattheCity’swaterparkaswellastheCounty’sLathropStatePark,justafewmileswestoftown.

LaVeta:ACharmingMountainTownFoundedin1862byColonelFrancisco,LaVetastartedoutasafour-sidedadobefortandplazaaroundwhichthequintessentialrusticarchitectureoflocalstoneandlogs

emerged.Nowanartscenteredtown,LaVetahostsabevyofartgalleries,liveentertainmentandyear-roundmusicfestivals.Theheartbeatofthispedestrianfriendlydowntownisitsaward-winningpubliclibrary,legendarylocalmarketandregionallyadoredbakery.

Cuchara:HistoricVillagemeetsMountainRetreatCucharahasthreedistinctzones:thehistoriccommunitycenterandpark,thecompactbusinessstrip,andtheMountainResort.Thishistoricvillageoffersavarietyofvisitorservicesduringtravelseason,includingrestaurants,lodging,miniaturegolfandsouvenirshopping.Forthemoreactiveadventurer,horsebackridingandtheCucharaMountainParkoffermoreadventurousopportunities.Thenewlyreopenedparkhastraditionallystruggledasaskiresortduetoinadequateprecipitation,butwithmuchcommunityinterestandsupport,theCucharaMountainParkisbeingrevitalizedtoproviderecreationalopportunitiesineveryseason.

MainStreetinWalsenburgattheintersectionofUS160andBusinessI-25.

IceCreamatCharlies'Market,LaVeta

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BYWAYCOMMUNITIES

A vintage Stonewall Gap postcard illustrates the rich history of Stonewall.

Aguilar:TheOldTradingPostTheTownofAguilarwasfirstsettledin1861,andwasknownas“SanAntonioPlaza.”ThesettlementwasmainlyatradingpostforNativeandSpanishAmericansthatfarmedandranchedinthesurroundingarea.In1878,coalminingprovidedexpandingopportunitiesfortheranchesandfarmsandencouragedotherbusinessestomoveintothearea.

Stonewall:PicturePerfectAranchingandloggingcommunitynestledinthegapoftheDakotaWall,Stonewallofferstraditionalcabinstylelodgingandcaterstooutdoorrecreationvisitors.Manyaresoenamoredwiththeareatheyreturngenerationaftergeneration.OriginallybuiltasasummerretreatforTrinidad’saffluentresidentsduringthecoalboomyears,Stonewallenjoysaleisurelypacewithpicturesqueviewsthathavefoundtheirwayontopostcardssincethe1920s.

Cokedale:APerfectlyPreservedColoradoCoalTownOnceamodelminingtownforcoalworkers,

CokedaletodayisconsideredthebestpreservedcoalcampinColorado,boastingan

impressive111lovinglypreservedresidentialandindustrialbuildingsinitshistoricdistrict.AfinemuseumdocumentsthecoalmininghistoryoftheregionandoffersvisitorsawalkingtouroftheCokedaleHistoricDistrict.ThisoneofakindcommunitysitsacrossSH12fromtheprivately-ownedhistoricsiteof350cokeovensusedbetween1906and1947.

Trinidad:OldMeetsNewArtsMeetstheOutdoorsFinishingupatouroftheScenicHighwayofLegendslandsyouinthevibrant,arts-orientedCityofTrinidad.TheCityhasdoneextensiverenovationsinandaroundtheirdowntown,anditshows.Fullofrestaurants,artgalleries,antiqueshops,bars,museumsandthelike,afreetrolleytakesvisitorsthroughanastonishingcollectionofarchitecturalstyles.Over100buildingsbuiltbetween1889and1923standasatributetoTrinidad’sfinancialboomthatspannedtheerasoftheSantaFeTrail,sheepandcattleranching,andcoalmining.Anabundanceof

LaVetashopsandgalleries.

fineEuropeancraftsmanshipcanbeseenboththestoneworkandbrickworkthatlinethestreets.Numerousannualfestivalskeeptheenergeticatmospherealive,invigoratingthelocalartsandentertainmentindustries.Justwestofthecity,TrinidadLakeStateParkoffersthestandardrecreationandvisitorexperience.TheCityofTrinidadisonceagaingrowing,thistimeinthedirectionofthecreativeartsandoutdoorrecreation.ThenewSpacetoCreatewillgiveworkingartistsbothaplacetoliveandwork,andColorado’smostrecentlydesignatedstatepark,centeredontheiconicandlandscapedefiningFisher’sPeak,willbeameccaforoutdoorrecreation.

Tomakethebywayexperienceauthenticanditslegendsresonatewithvisitors,thebywaygroupneedstobeabletoembracethenewactiveadventurerwhilepreservingthe“oldways”anditsownrhythmoflife.

Acommitmenttoayoungermoreadventurouspopulationisamajornewdirectionforthesustainabilityofthebyway.Webelieveitisimportanttoincludethepeopleandfamiliesthathavelivedalongthebywayandintheregionforgenerationswhilealsoembracingthefreshperspectivesoftheever-energeticyouththatarediscoveringourareamoreandmore. Huajatolla Heritage Festival, La Veta

Huajatolla Heritage Festival, La Veta

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SCENICHIGHWAYOFLEGENDSPARTNERORGANIZATIONS

PartnersandCommunityParticipation

Thiscorridormanagementplandescribesambitiousgoalsandnewdirectionsthathaveemergedfromdramaticallychangingenvironmentalconditionsonthebywaycorridor,specificallypersistentdroughtconditionsandtheongoingthreatsofbothfireandfloodthatresultedfromthe2018SpringFire.Bywayleadersarenowplanningforwaystomeetandmanagethegrowinginterestinactiveoutdoorrecreationwhichhasstartedtoshiftthebyway’sresponsibilityfromservingvisitorswhocamefortheScenicDrives,tobuildingmoreinfrastructureforcurrentvisitorswhowanttoengagewiththenaturalresourcesmoreinteractively.ThenewCMPhasbeenadoptedinJanuary2020.TheBoardwillnowbringtogetherlong-establishedorganizationalpartners(beside)withnewmemberstoassignresponsibilities.ThetimelineforthisstrategysessionwithorganizationalpartnershasbeensetforAugust2020,immediatelyfollowingthereleaseofthefinalrecommendationsfromthePELBike/Pedstudy.

SCENICHIGHWAYOFLEGENDSMAPHuerfanoandLasAnimasCounties

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Mission:

COLORADO’SHIGHWAYOFLEGENDSSCENICBYWAYHuerfanoandLasAnimasCounties

ThemissionoftheBywayGoverningBoardistoprotectandpromotetheirreplaceablenaturalandhistoricalresourcesoftheScenicHighwayofLegendsinamannerthatkeepstheseresourcesintacttosupportthelivabilityandeconomicvitalityofthecommunitiesintheSpanishPeaksregion,andtoprovidetravelerstheopportunitiestoexploreandtodiscoverwaystoforgedeepconnectionswithnature.Vision:

TheScenicHighwayofLegendswillbecomeaNationalScenicBywaythatdrawsbothnationalandinternationaltravelerstoitsdistinctivegeology,itsrichcollectionofculturallegendsanditsunique

• Todevelopaworld-classgeologicalinterpretivecenterthatallowsvisitorstoexperiencethefieryhistorythatshapedthelandscapeoftheSpanishPeaks.

• Toinspirelocalcitizenstobuildupontheirdeepprideinthebywaythroughproactiveparticipationandmanagementofresourcesthatexpresstheessenceofthebyway.

• Todeveloparangeofvisitorexperiencesthatwillsteadilydeveloptourismintoasignificantandsustainableeconomicsectorforthetwocountiesthathostthebyway.

opportunitiesfortravelerstobeactiveintheoutdoors.

TheSpanishPeaks.(Photo:AaronSpong)

THETEN-YEARWORKPLAN(ToachievetheVisionandGoalsoftheSHOL)

YearOne• Submitanapplicationfordesignationasa

NationalScenicByway• Integrateandprioritizemulti-modal

recommendationsfromboththePEL(PlanningandEnvironmentalLinkagesStudy)andtheStatewideAssessmentofColorado’s26ScenicByways.

• Securefundingandinstallasystemofelectricchargingstationstosupportelectricvehiclestravelingthefulllengthofthe82-milebyway.

YearTwo• Securefundingforafeasibilitystudyfor

thedevelopmentofageologyinterpretivecenter.

• Amarketingsub-committeewillworkwithCDOTRegion2Engineertorepairorreplacehighwaydirectionalsignage.

• DevelopaformalViewShedProtectionPlanforthefull82-milebyway.HuerfanoCountyPlanningDepartmentwillcoordinateinconjunctionwiththeLasAnimasCountyPlanningDepartment.(VisualIntrusionPlan9.a(9))FHWAPolicy5.18.95

YearFive• Completecriticalamenitiesimprovements

-restrooms,interpretation,scenicoverlooksandtrailheads.

• ConductaVisualImpactOverviewinpartnershipwiththeU.S.ForestServiceusingCDOTStatewideGuidelines.

• Designpreservationstrategiesfornaturalandhistoricintrinsicassets.

• Conductaformalwayfindingassessment.• Adoptdesignguidelinesforacohesive

systemofsignageandinterpretation.• PreparecommunitiestobeBicycle

FriendlyTownsinanticipationofnewmultimodaltraildevelopments.

• BuildtrailconnectivityandstrongerintegrationbetweenthethreeStateParks(LathropStatePark,TrinidadStatePark,FishersPeakStatePark)andtheScenicHighwayofLegendstoexpandopportunitiesforvisitors.

• Expandopportunitiesformultimodaltravelforlocalsandvisitorsalike.

YearTen• Preservethebyway’sSenseofPlace.

Usingprinciplesofcontextsensitivedesign,addresshowtopreservethecharacter,andthelook-and-feelofthishistoricroad.

• IntegrateuniversaldesignandmeetADArequirementsintoeveryaspectoftravelforboth.

• CompletepreservationofhistoricbuildingsonthebywayinpartnershipwithHistoryColorado.

ANationalNaturallandmark.(Photo: http://southerncolorado.info)

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ORGANIZATIONALDEVELOPMENT AnexaminationoforiginaldocumentsproducedbythefoundingBoardofDirectorsconfirmsthatthemissionandgoalsoftheScenicHighwayofLegendshavenotchangedoverthethirty-yearhistoryofthebyway.Theessenceofthebywayremainsthesame,asdoestheneedtoprotectandpreservethecorridor’sirreplaceableassets.Thebyway,however,hasexperiencedongoingdifficultiesinbothretainingboardmembersandinsecuringyear-to-yearoperationalfunds.Theorganizationhasneveremployedpaidstaff.Distancesaregreatandhumanresourcesarelimitedinthissparselypopulatedarea.Activecommunitymembersfeelovercommitted.Bywayleadersrealizethatthatthreeessentialelementsmustchangetoinsurethesustainabilityoftheorganization:1)therequiredtimecommitmentmustbereducedforofficerstheBoardofDirectors,and2)administrativesupportmustbefoundtogivethebywaya“homebase,”and3)operationalfundingneedstoshiftfrommemberstoestablishedagencieswithinthetwocounties.This2020updateoftheCorridorManagementPlan,writtentogetherbybothlegacyandexistingmembersoftheBoardofDirectors,outlinesthefirststepstobegintoincorporatethosechanges.TheHuerfanoCountyPlanningDepartmenthasofferedtosupporttheadministrativefunctionsoftheBoard,anewmodelforfundingwillreplicatethesuccessfulapproachofColorado’sWestElkLoopScenicByway,andanewstructureofworkingsubcommitteeswillreducethetimerequiredbymembersoftheBoardofDirectors.

FourthofJulyinSpanishPeaksCountry

INTRINSICQUALITIES

Including: 1. Geology2. Flora(forest&ecoregion)3. Fauna(wildlife)

Natural quality applies to those features of the visual environment that are in a relatively undisturbed state. These features predate the arrival of human populations and may include geological formations, fossils, landform, water bodies, vegetation, and wildlife. There may be evidence of human activity but the natural features reveal minimal disturbances. (FHWA Policy 5.18.95) Flora (Forest & Eco region) Resources: • FarleyFlowerOverlookObservationSite• SanIsabelNationalForesthikingtrails• SpanishPeaksNationalNaturalLandmark

(1976),7,000verticalfeetrisefromvalleyflooro WestSpanishPeak(13,626feetelevation)

o EastSpanishPeak(12,683feetelevation)• SpanishPeaksWildernessStudyArea

(19,226acres)

Fauna (Wildlife) Resources: • BosqueDelOsoStateWildlifeArea

(30,000acres)• LongsCanyonWatchableWildlifeArea• WahatoyaStateWildlifeAreaBirdwatching(80

acres)Geological Resources: • DakotaWallgeologicformation• Devil’sStairstepsgeologicformation• FarleyFlowerOverlook(panoramicviewof

geologicalformations)• Goemmer’sButtegeologicformation• K-PgBoundryExtinctionEvent(formerly

K-TBoundry)–TrinidadLakeStatePark• ProfileRockgeologicformation• SpanishPeaksNationalNaturalLandmark(1976),

7,000verticalfeetrisefromvalleyflooro WestSpanishPeak(13,626feetelevation)o EastSpanishPeak(12,683feetelevation)

• SpanishPeaksvolcanicdikesgeologicformations• SpanishPeaksWildernessStudyArea(19,226

acres)

NATURAL

NaturalQualityProtection1.MuchofthelandintheScenicHighwayofLegendscorridorisowned,managed,andprotectedbyfederalandstategovernmentnaturalresource

managementagencies.2.ExtensiveacreageinthecorridorisdesignatedandprotectedasaWildernessArea,NaturalAreaorStateWildlifeArea.3.TheColoradoParksandWildlifeDepartmentexercisesjurisdictionoverallwildlifeinthestateandhasadoptedspecialregulationstoprotectnativetrout

inthecorridor.4.Severalorganizationsandvolunteergroupsintheareaareengagedinriverrestoration,firemitigationandothernaturalresource-relatedprojects.5.ThisCMPwasdevelopedwiththeinvolvementoftheU.S.Forestservice,theprimarypubliclandmanagementagencyinthebywaycorridor.6.WewillworkwithGOCOonoutdoorstewardshipasweinvestinprojectsthatsustainandimprovetheByway’snaturalresources.

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Scenic quality is the heightened visual experience derived from the view of natural and man-made elements of the visual environment of the scenic byway corridor. The characteristics of the landscape are strikingly distinct and offer a pleasing and most memorable visual experience. All elements of the landscape – landform, water, vegetation, and man-made development – contribute to the quality of the corridor’s visual environment. Everything present is in harmony and shares in the intrinsic qualities. (FHWA Policy 5.18.95)

Scenic Resources: • ApishapaRiverValleywestofAguilar• CucharasRiver• FarleyFlowerOverlookObservationSite• MonumentLake• NorthLake• PurgatoireRiverValley• TheTwinSpanishPeaks

o EastSpanishPeako WestSpanishPeak

• ViewoftheCulebraRangeoftheSangreDeCristoMountains(CulebraPeak–14,169feetelevation)

SCENIC

ScenicQualityProtection1. TheColoradoDepartmentofTransportationadoptednewVisualImpactAccessmentGuidelinesinNovember2019.Theseguidelinescreateanaesthetic

contextforthecorridor.Thedesignphilosophychaptureshowanover-allcorridorwilllookanddescribestheapproachtopreserveuniqueplacesalongthecorridor.

2. MuchofthelandintheCLP/NPBcorridorisowned,managed,andprotectedbyfederalandstategovernmentnaturalresourcemanagementagencies.3.ExtensiveacreageinthecorridorisdesignatedandprotectedasaWildernessArea,NaturalAreaorStateWildlifeArea.4.CDOTandtheprimarynaturalresourcemanagementagenciesinthecorridorhaveregulationsandguidelinesthatprotectsightlinesandminimizevisual

intrusionsonthebyway.ThePlanningDepartmentsofbothHuerfanoandLasAnimasCountiesarealsoworkingtogetheronzoneandlandusagetoeliminatethepossibilityofvisualintrusions.

5.ThisCMPwasdevelopedwiththeinvolvementoftheU.S.Forestservice,theprimarypubliclandmanagementagencyinthebywaycorridor.

Historic quality encompasses legacies of the past that are distinctly associated with physical elements of the landscape, whether natural or manmade, that are of such historic significance that they educate the viewer and stir an appreciation of the past. The historic elements reflect the actions of people and may include buildings, settlement patterns, and other examples of human activity. Historic features can be inventoried, mapped, and interpreted. They possess integrity of location, design, setting, material, workmanship, feeling, and association. (FHWA Policy 5.18.95)

Historic Resources: • A.R.MitchelMuseum• A.R.MitchellMuseumofWesternArt(Trinidad)• AdobeSchoolhouse(1904)• BlumenshineMuralintheWalsenburgPostOffice• BurroCanyonBridge(1939)• CarnegiePublicLibrary• CityHall• CokedaleMiningMuseum• CokedaleNationalHistoricDistrict(1906–1947)• 350historiccokeovens• CordovaChapel(1871)• CordovaPlaza(1861)• DenverHotel• FoxTheatre,Trinidad• FranciscoFortinLaVeta(1862)• FranciscoFortMuseum(LaVeta)original1862

PlazaBuilding

HISTORY

HistoricalQualityProtection1.In1972ElCorazondeTrinidadNationalHistoricDistrictwasaddedtotheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.CorazondeTrinidad(“theheartof

Trinidad”)NationalHistoricDistrictcoversaparticularlywell-preservedportionofdowntownTrinidadthatincludesmanyblocksofadobeandbrickbuildings.By1962theColoradoHistoricalSociety(nowHistoryColorado)hadacquiredtheOldBacaHouse,PioneerMuseumHouseandBloomMansion,operatingthemasaregionalmuseumcomplex.

2.AlongtheByway,theFranciscoFortMuseuminLaVetaisoperatedbutheHuerfanoCountyHistoricalSocietywithamissionofpreservingthehistoryofthearea.

3.SeveralsitesonthebywayhavebeenlistedontheFederalRegisterofHistoricPlacesandtheColoradoStateregisterofHistoricPlaces.4.TheLaVetaHistoricandPreservationCommitteehasvarioushistoricpreservationmeasuresinplace.IfanyoneintheintheLaVetaHistoricPreservation

Districtisplanningonbuilding,paintingordoinganyconstruction,theymustgothroughtheHPCtogetapprovalfirst.Additionalprotections,fundingandassistanceforhistoricpreservationmaybeavailablethroughthestateofColoradoandvariousextensionagencies,historicgroupsandpatrons.

5.ThisCMPwasdevelopedwiththeinvolvementoflocalresidentsandcommunityleadersinvolvedwiththehistoryandheritageofthebywaycorridor.

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Historic Resources (Cont.): • HistorictownsiteofSegundo(1860s–

early1900s)• HistorictownsiteofStonewall(1870s)• HistorictownsiteofValdez(1860s)• HistorictownsiteofVigil(early1860s)

o HouseBuiltonaBridge• HistorictownsiteofWeston(1880s)• HuerfanoHeritageCenterandArchives• LudlowMonument(UnitedMineWorkers

ofAmerica)–LudlowMassacreofApril20,1914

• MadridPlaza(1862)• MedinaPlaza• MountainBranchoftheSantaFeTrail• NewElkMine(1946)• OldUteTrail• PrimeroCommunity• PurgatoireRiverandearlyvalley

settlement• SchneiderBrewery• St.IgnatiusRomanCatholicChurch(1890)• TempleAaron• TheHuerfanoCountyCourthouse• TijerasPlaza(1862)• TrinidadHistoryMuseum–BacaHouse

andBloomHouse• WalsenburgMiningMuseuminthe

restoredHuerfanoCountyJailBuilding• WesternandVictorianarchitectureofthe

CorazondeTrinidad(HistoricDistrict)

A.R.MitchellpaintingdisplayedattheA.R.MitchellMuseumofWesternArtinTrinidad(Photo:www.armitchellmuseum.com)

TheHistoricHuerfanoCountyCourthouse(Photo:www.huerfano.us)

HistoricBloomMansioninTrinidad(Photo:www.colorado.com)

HouseBuiltonaBridge(Photo:www.bridgehunter.com)

Cultural quality is evidence and expressions of the customs or traditions of a distinct group of people. Cultural features including, but not limited to, crafts, music, dance, rituals, festivals, speech, food, special events, and vernacular architecture are currently practiced. The cultural qualities of the corridor could highlight one or more significant communities and/or ethnic traditions. (FHWA Policy 5.18.95)

Cultural Resources: • Churches• CommunityofCuchara(1910)• CreativeDistrict,DowntownTrinidad• GalleryMuseum• HuajatollaHeritageFestival,LaVeta

(picturedabove)• LaVeta4-HBarnandArenaFestival(Ranching

History)• Legendsfromdifferentgroupsofpeople(seenext

twopages)• MuseumofFriends(Arts)• PerformanceArtsTheater• SpanishPeaksCelticFestival,LaVeta

CULTURAL

CulturalQualityProtection1.TrinidadhasbeenawardthedistinguishedhonorofbeingnamedaColoradoCreativeDistrictandtheyhaveembracedtheartsasaneconomicstimulator

inmultiplyways.2.LaVetahasstartedthe2yearprocesstoseeiftheyalsocanbecomeaColoradoCreativeDistrict.Oncethisisawarded,theScenicHighwayofLegendswill

bethebridgethatbringsthesetwouniqueartscommunitiestogether.3.PlansarebeingdiscussedforaPleinAirFestivalalongtheByway.4.Various,municipalandcountypoliciesandregulationsprotecttheculturallandscape,agriculturalheritageandrurallifestylefoundinthebywaycorridor.5.Bywaycommunitiesvalueandmaintainmanylocalartandheritagecelebrationsandevents.6.Additionalprotections,fundingandassistancemaybeavailablethroughthestateofColoradoandvariousorganizationsthatsupporttheartsandculture.7.ThisCMPwasdevelopedwiththeinvolvementoflocalresidentsandcommunityleadersinvolvedwiththecultureandheritageofthebywaycorridor.

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Recreational quality involves outdoor recreational activities directly associated with and dependent upon the natural and cultural elements of the corridor’s landscape. The recreational activities provide opportunities for active and passive recreational experiences. They include, but are not limited to, downhill skiing, rafting, boating, fishing, and hiking. Driving the road itself may qualify as a pleasurable recreational experience. The recreational activities may be seasonal, but the quality and importance of the recreational activities as seasonal operations must be well recognized. (FHWA Policy 5.18.95) Recreational Resources: • BearLakeCampgroundwithhiking(U.S.F.S.)• BlueLakeCampgroundwithhiking(U.S.F.S.)• BosqueDelOsoStateWildlifeArea(SWA)—

hunting,fishing• CordovaPassPicnicAreaandCampground

(11,743feetelevation,1779IndianTrail,1883mailroute)

• CucharaHikingTrailSystem• CucharaMountainPark,CrossCountry

Skiing/SnowShoeing/Sledding• CucharaPassDayUsePicnicArea(9,941’

elevation,1779—IndianTrail;1883—mailroute)• HorsebackRiding,Cuchara• HunterscanaccessColoradoDivisionofWildlife

(CDOW)Game(1-800-244-5613)• ManagementUnits(GMUs)viatheSHOL• LaVetaHikingTrailSystem• LathropStatePark(fishing,picnicking,hiking,

swimming,watchablewildlife)• MartinandHorseshoeLakes(LathropStatePark)• MonumentLakeResort(campingandhiking)• NorthLakeStateWildlifeArea(SWA)—fishing,

picnicing,hiking,wildlifeobservation• PurgatoireCampground(U.S.F.S.)• RoadCycling–CenturyRide• Scenicdrives• SpanishPeaksStateWildlifeArea(SWA)—hunting,

camping,hiking,wildlifeobservation• SpringCreekPicnicGround(U.S.F.S.)• TrinidadLakeStateRecreationArea:fishing,hiking

picnickingandcamping,KTboundary,(2017visitation192,087)

• WahatoyaStateWildlifeArea(SWA)(includingDaigreLake)(fishing,picnicking,hiking,wildlifeobservation)

• Wildlifeviewing,includingbirding

RECREATIONAL

RecreationalQualityProtection1.Muchofthelandinthebywaycorridorisowned,managed,andprotectedbypublicland/naturalresourcemanagementagencies,assuringabasiclevelof

infrastructureandsupportforoutdoorrecreation.2.Severalnon-profitrecreation-orientedgroups,suchasLaVetaTrailsareactiveinthecorridor.3.Severalprivaterecreationclubs/organizations,suchassnowmobileclubs,areactiveinthecorridor.4.RecommendationsrelatedtooutdoorrecreationweredevelopedwiththeinvolvementoftheUSFS.5.WewillworkwithGOCOonoutdoorstewardshipasweinvestinprojectsthatsustainandimprovetheByway'srecreationalresources.

Archeological quality involves those characteristics of the scenic byways corridor that are physical evidence of historic or prehistoric human life or activity that are visible and capable of being inventoried and interpreted. The scenic byway corridor’s archeological interest, as identified through ruins, artifacts, structural remains, and other physical evidence, have scientific significance that educate the viewer and stir an appreciation for the past. (FHWA Policy 5.18.95)

Archeological Resource: • AultmanMuseum,andLouden-Heinritze

ArcheologicalMuseum,Trinidad

ARCHEOLOGICAL

ApishipaArch,AguilarRoad

ArchaeologicalQualityProtection1.MuchofthelandintheCLP/NPBcorridorisowned,managed,andprotectedbyfederalandstateagencies,eachofwhichaffordsagency-specific

protectionstoarchaeologicalsitesandartifacts.TheprimarylandownersinthecorridoraretheUSForestService,BureauofLandManagement,USFishandWildlifeService,ColoradoStateForestService,andColoradoParksandWildlife.

2.TheLouden-HenritzeArchaeologyMuseumoffersvisitorsauniquelookatmillionsofyearsofthearea'shistory.3.Manyparticularlyimportantarchaeologicalsiteshavebeenidentified,excavatedanddocumented.4.TheStateofColorado’sHistoricPreservationIncomeTaxCreditmayapplytoqualifyingprivateproperty.5.Sensitivearchaeologicalsitesarenotlistedonmapsorincludedinbywaybrochuresandmaterials.6.ThisCMPwasdevelopedwiththeinvolvementoftheUSFS,ColoradoParksandWildlifeandothersinvolvedwiththeidentification,storage,archivingand

curatingofthebyway’sarchaeologicaltreasures.

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LEGENDSASCULTURALINHERITANCE

TheSpanishPeaksmarkthecrossroadsofdiverseculturesandhistoricaltraditions,wherethepeoplehaverespondedtotheland’spowerandbeautybyendowingitseveryelementwithlegendsandstoriesthatilluminatetheirheritageandculturalvalues.

ThefollowinglegendsandtheirassociationwithbywayresourcesissourcedfromtheinventoryoftheInterpretivePlan(authors,2004.)

Resource: The unique geology of the Spanish Peaks region—tumultuous forces of nature that move and blow off steam. Legends:Devil’sStairsteps,Devil’sThumb,DakotaWall,MonumentLake,Culebra—AMountainofSnakes,Goemmer’sButte&theEndoftheGiants.

Resource: Ecological Zones—Flora, Fauna. Legends:ThreeRivers,InsidetheMoun-tains,SpruceTrees,DanceofBraveDeeds,BearLake,WhereDinosaursEnded.

Resource: Early Human Habitation—Paleo- Indians and Mammoth Hunters, constantly moving between the plains and mountain valleys following good weather and good hunting and gathering. Legends:FolsomManandtheFourDirections,TheGreatFlood.

Resource: Ute, Apache, Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe Peoples—harmony with the land, its spirits and resources, symbiotic relationships and the balance of life. Legends:HomeoftheRainGods,GrandoteandtheValleyofMexico,KenYatCheandthePliedes,CuernoVerde.

Resource: Exploration—Spanish Conquistadors. The search for gold, the establishment of missions. Legends:NamingtheSangredeCristoMountains,LostSoulsinPurgatory,ArapahoePrincess,LaMunecaBuriedTreasure.

Resource: Mountain Men and Scouts. Legends:Tobin’sReward,KitCarsonandtheSettlementofStonewall,FindingtheConquistador’sHelmet;BlackJackKetchum.

Resource: Spanish Settlement—opportunity for wealth and a place of one’s own.

Legends:HowTorresSurvived,TheEspinosaBrothers—KillersorHeroes?

Devil’sStairstepsislocatedadjacenttoSH12betweenLaVetaandCuchara(Photo:http://academic.emporia.edu)

TheBigWallisoneofthetallest,longestandmostrecognizabledikesintheregion(Photo:https://spanishpeakscountry.com/the-great-dikes)

Resource: Farming and ranching. Legends:TheGiantandtheSpoon(Cuchara), Maid Marian, Stonewall War.

Resource: Francisco Fort—Ranching and farming; providing supplies for travel to the west. Legends:-”ThisisParadiseenoughforme.”-Col.JohnFrancisco.

Resource: Mining Settlement—to find work and a better life. Legends:HowtheApishipaRiverGotItsName, Echo Canyon Gold and the Bull’s Eye Mine.

Resource: Architecture. Legends:LaLloronaundertheHouseontheBridge;FirstGhostTown.

Resource: Cultural Diversity in Material Culture—utility and unique expressions of culture

Legends:WhenSchoolsWeren’t. Resource: Mining, The Great Coal Wars. Legends:MotherJones.

Resource: Transportation—Prehistoric and historic Native American pathways—survival based on unfettered mobility. Legends:WahatoyaasaPlaceofPeaceandHealing,LegendofHiddenIndianTrails,MoccasinHill.

Resource: Spanish Trails Legend:Findingthegoldwherethemountainsturnthecolorofblood.

Resource: Pony Express Legends:TaosLightningonWooten’sTollRoad,Walsen’sFreeway

Resource: The Railroads. Legend:ALightintheDark.

Resource: Automobile Routes and Highways. Legend:PotatoGrowersofCuchara

Resource: Early recreation and wilderness planning. Legend:TheNamingofBearLake

Conservationofnatural,scenic,historicandculturalassetswillrequirenewprioritiesandnewpartnerships.Thefollowingchartslong-termpartners(municipalitiesandcounties,publiclandagencies,etc.)andnewpartnersthatwillbekeytoaccomplishingthe10-yearworkplan.

SH 7 traverses through the gap in the Dakota Wall near the Village of Stonewall (Photo: http://www.sangres.com)

Landmarkin1976asoneofthebest-knownexamplesofigneousintrusions(Photo: http://southerncolorado.info)

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RESOURCEPROTECTIONUrgentNeedtoMaintainVisualIntegrity

CorridorProtectionDistrictsBuildingastrategytomaintainingthevisualintegrityofthelandscapeiscurrentlyunderway,andincludesestablishingacorridorprotectiondistrict,designingasetofcountydesignguidelines,publishingahandbookforbuildinginascenicarea,tappingtheexpertiseofCDOTlandscapearchitects,andeducatingbothvisitorsandnewresidentstothearea.TheSHOLcurrentlydoesnothaveanyprotectivemeasuresinplacetopreservetheviewsanddevelopmentalongtheScenicHighwayofLegends.Therewasanoverlaydistrictinplace,butthatdistrictwasremovedmanyyearsagoforreasonsthatareunknown.TheSHOLneedsacorridorprotectiondistrict.ThatwillbeoneofthefirststepstakenbytheHuerfanoCountyLandUseOfficetoensurethatthenearviewsremainasstunningasthefarviews.TheCountyisalsointheprocessofadoptingaminimummaintenancecode,sopropertiesthathavebecomedilapidatedcanbecleanedup.Thesetwoeffortswillensurethattheforegroundalongthebywayremainscomplementarytothestunningviewsprovidedinthebackground.Aspartofthecorridorprotectiondistrict,staffplanstoproposethattheCountyadoptasetof

designguidelinesforthecorridorthatwillensurethatnewdevelopmentblendsintothecountryside,notstandsoutfromit.(SeetheCDOT2019VisualImpactAssessmentGuidelines:https://www.codot.gov/programs/environmental/visual-resources/visual-impact-assessment)AsuccessfulprogramcurrentlyinforceinOregonwillbeusedasamodel.Themodeliscalled“BuildingintheScenicArea–ScenicResourcesImplementationHandbook.”(http://www.gorgecommission.org/images/uploads/amendments/Scenic_Handbook_-_FINAL_12-05.pdf).ThehandbookindicateswhatcolorsworkbestwiththevariedlandscapesalongtheColumbiaRiverandhasbeensuccessfullyusedinOregonsince2005.AsimilarhandbookcouldbeprovidedforallthedistinctregionsalongtheScenicHighwayofLegends.HuerfanoCountyplanningstaffwillworkwithLasAnimasCountystaffontheviewprotectioncorridor.TheHuerfanoCountyPlanningDirectorwillreachouttotheLasAnimasCountyplannertodeterminehowtobestworktogethertopreservetheentire82-mileroute.

EducationofVisitorsVisitorsneedtobeeducatedtobehaveinaresponsiblemannerregardingthebywayresources.Brochures,signage,andactivelawenforcementareneededtoolstoaccomplishthis.Wherepossible,positivemessagesoftenaremoreeffectivethannegativemessages,forexample“Pleasehelpusprotectthesevaluableresourcesbystayingonpaths”insteadof“DoNotTouch”or“Donotleavethetrail.”The“LeaveNoTrace”or“LeaveOnlyFootprints”ethicstronglyneedstobepromoted.Peoplealsoneedtoknowthebreadthofprotectionneeded,forexamplewalkingonthetundradestroysgrowthfordecades.Visitorsneedtoviewtheintrinsicqualitiesofthebywayasnonrenewable.FederalLandmanagingagenciesneedtostayinaproactivepositionwithregardtowhatsitesareacceptabletopublicvisitation.Monitoringthepreparationofinterpretivematerials,includingbrochures,andclosecommunicationandcoordinationwithtouroperatorsareneededsositesnotreadyforvisitationarenotprematurelypromoted.Monitoringandevaluationprogramsshouldbeestablishedforresourceareaswherevisitorfacilitieswillbeconstructedandincreasevisitation.Protectionmethodsandtechniquesshouldbedevelopedandtested.

INTERPRETATION ThebywayhasbeenguidedbyAnInterpretivePlanfortheHighwayofLegends,publishedin2004.ExpandedinterpretationontheSHOLwillbeessentialastheorganizationworkstobuildarichercacheofmemorableexperiencesforvisitors,andexpandedinformationabouttheintrinsicvaluesofthishistoriccorridor.Interpretationidentifieskeythemesandstoriesthatcanhelpconnectvisitorstoplacesandbuildsmultiplewaystomaketheirvisitmeaningful.Thisbywayhasbeensteadilyenhancingtherichnessoftheirinterpretivesystem.In2012,thebywaydesignedandinstalledfourinterpretivesignsin

gatewaycommunities,allwithhistoricthemes,withfundsfromtheNationalScenicBywaycompetitivegrantsprogram.Thosesignsarestillinexcellentcondition.Thenextphaseofinterpretivesignsarescheduledforinstallationinthespringof2020,withsix3-panelkiosks(eighteenpanelsintotal)describedinthechartbelow.Thesekiosksweredevelopedthroughafederallyfunded20/80matchinggrantsprogrammanagedbytheColoradoDepartmentofTransportation.Contentwasdevelopedincollaborationwithworkinggroupsineachcommunitywhowereasked,“Whenatravelerfirstcomestothis

communitywhatwouldyoulikethemtoknow?”Thenextstepindevelopingrelevantinterpretivematerialsforthisbywaywillfocusonitstightenedfocusongeologicalresources.TheBoardhastakenfirststepsandhasmetwithlocalgeologiststostartvisualizingthescopeofinformationandexperiencesthatcouldengagevisitorsinimaginingthevolcanicunderpinningsofthecorridor.Potentialplansincludenotonlyasystemofsignage,butoutdoorrecreationopportunitiesto“walkthegeology”andanewinteractiveinterpretivecenterinStonewall,homeofthegapintheDakotaSandstoneWall.

Cokedale3-panelkiosk

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MARKETINGMarketingGoalMarketinginvestmentswillsupporteconomicgrowthforthecommunitiesalongtheScenicHighwayofLegendsthroughthedevelopmentofsustainabletourismofferingsandadedicationtotheresponsiblemarketingandpromotionoftheseattractions.GuidingPrinciplesInthefirstyear,thebywaywillestablishamarketingsubcommitteethatwillreporttotheScenicHighwayofLegendsBoardofDirectors.Thissubcommitteewillbemadeupofrepresentativesfromthetourismboards,chambersofcommerceandeconomicdevelopmentofficesinbothHuerfanoandLasAnimascounties.Memberswillservea2-yearminimumterm,meetingasoftenasnecessary.Shouldamemberresign,theymustfindareplacementrepresentativewhobringspastexperienceinmarketingtourismdestinations.Thecommitteewillcapitalizeonthefindingsofthe7-memberCDOTplanningteamthatisconductingaPEL(PlanningandEnvironmentalLinkages)studyforamulti-modalBike/PedTrailforthe82milesofSH12andUS160whichcomprisethedesignatedScenicHighwayofLegends.AstatewidecommitteehasproposedthatthissamecorridorbeadditionallydesignatedastheSouthernLoopoftheColoradoFrontRangeBicycleTrail.Astheirtoppriority,theMarketingSubcommitteewilldevelopmarketingmaterialstoeducateoutdoorrecreationistsaboutthefragilenaturalresourcesthatareaccessibletothetravelingpublic,andabouttheexpectationthatoutdoorrecreationistswillproactivelyhelpprotecttheseassetsforfuturegenerations.

FirstYearMarketingObjectives1. Toestablishanactivesubcommitteethatwillberesponsiblefor

themanagementoftheByway’smarketingplan.2. Toincreaselodgingoccupancybyaddingonenighttothe

averagelength-of-stay,andtoexpandtheseasonforsummertravelbyextendingofferingsoneadditionalmonthinthespring,andoneadditionalmonthinthefall(shoulderseasons).

EstablishedMarketingStrategiesThetworuralcountiesthathosttheSHOLworkwithverylimitedfinancialresources,howeveranimpressivenumberofjointmarketingprogramshavebeenaccomplishedthroughongoingpartnershipswithlocalandstatetourismboards,localandcountygovernments,andbywaysinneighboringcounties.Theyinclude:

1. Aregionalmapof5SouthernColoradoBywaysproducedand

distributedatthestate’sofficialColoradoWelcomeCenters.Thesefour-colormapsdisplayedtheroutesof5bywayswhichareproximateorconnecting,andincludethemajorattractionsandeventsfoundwithinbywaycommunities.Countlessvolunteerhoursandsharedproductioncostsenabledthepartnershiptoproduceandprint100,000mapswhichhaveproventobevitaltoolsfornavigationandforthecross-marketingofregionalbusinesses.

2. TheBywaystoBirdingProgramThesame5-county

partnershipwasalsoresponsibleforthecreationofamailerandwebsiteprogramcalled“BywaystoBirding.”ThemailerwassenttoqualifiedleadsthatweregeneratedthroughanadplacementinAudubonMagazine.Thecostfortheadwaspaidforinpartthroughamatchingmarketingco-opgrantfromtheColoradoTourismOffice.

3. ThelastgranttheSHOLreceivedfromtheNationalScenicBywaysProgramin2012allowedthebywaytoproducea14-minutevideo;todesignanderectbywayinterpretivesignsin4gatewaycommunities;andtocreate100,00copiesofa20-pagebookletwithmapthatservesbothasaguidedtourandsouvenirofthevisitortimeontheByway.

Thebookletcontinuestobereprintedthankstofinancialsupportfromcountycommissionersandcountytourismboardsinbothcounties.ThemarketingbookletisavailableattheColoradoWelcomeCentersthroughoutthestateandmultiplemuseums,chambersofcommerceandbusinesseslocatedonthebywaycorridor.

4. AspartoftheByway’songoingrelationshipwiththeColoradoDepartmentofTransportationandthe5-countytourismmarketingcooperative,asystemofInformationKiosksdisplaying60wayfindingpanelswillbeinstalledthroughoutthisSouthernColoradoregioninthespringof2020.Thesepanelswillhelpvisitorsnavigatetheirwayacrosstheregion,andpointoutopportunitiesforvisitorstoexperiencethearea.Bywaysareprominentlyfeatured.TourismpartnersontheScenicHighwayofLegendstogetherraisedenoughmatchmoneyforeighteenofthesepanels.

5. TheHuerfanoCountyTourismBoardhasbeenaverygoodfriend

totheByway.TheCounty’snewtourismbrandis“WheretheLegendsRoam.”TheyhaveincludedtheBywayontheirwebsite,intheironlineitineraries,andinnumerousothermarketingefforts.

6. OneofthelargestcontributionstheHuerfanoCountyTourismBoardhasmadeistheTRAVELSTORYSmobilephoneapplication.ThisaudioappismarketedbytheHuerfanoTourismBoardontheirwebsiteandinalltheirmarketingcampaigns.ThetravelerdownloadsthisfreeappbeforetheytravelthroughtheScenicHighwayofLegends.Authenticstoriesandlocalhistoriesarenarratedbylocally-sourcedaudionarrators.Nointernetconnectionisneededoncetheappisdownloaded;viaGPSitrecognizestwenty-twopointsofinterest.Musicandnarrationandstartsplayingautomaticallywhenthevehicleisapproachingeachsite.

7. AlsobySpring2020theColoradoTourismOfficewilllauncha

microwebsitethatwillresidewithinwww.colorado.com,theState’spowerfultourismportal.Thisup-to-datewebpresenceforColorado’s26bywayshasbeenaccomplishedthroughapartnershipbetweentwostateagencies,theColoradoBywaysProgramandtheColoradoTourismOffice.TheScenicHighwayofLegendswillenjoyequalexposurewithColorado’sotherScenicandHistoricByways.ItwillbetheresponsibilityoftheBoardofDirectorstokeeptheSHOLpagesonthisstatewidesiteuptodatewithnewandinterestingphotos.TheBoardisalsoresponsibleforregularlyupdatingeventlistingsandcreatingfreetravel-relatedbusinesslistingsforColorado.com

Goemmer'sButte

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8. TheStonewallCenturyRideisachallenging100-milebicycleride

alongoneofColorado'smostbeautifulscenichighways.ParticipantscometoenjoysomeofthebesthighaltituderoadridinginSouthernColorado.2020willbethe17thyearofthiswell-establishedracethatbringsmuchattentiontotheSHOLfromseriousbicyclists.

9. MarketingFestivalsandSpecialEventsisananchorforthebyway,

astheysolidifythefeelingofcommunityforlocals,andcommunicatelocaldistinctivenessandauthenticityofplaceforvisitors.

FutureMarketingOpportunities-ColoradoTourismOfficeTheBywayswillcontinuetotakefulladvantageofalltheopportunitiesbeingofferedbytheColoradoTourismOffice(CTO)thatincludebutarenotlimitedtothefollowing:• EncouragingGoodStewardship:AdoptingandpromotingCarefor

Colorado(LeaveNoTrace)whichencouragesvisitorstobegoodstewardsoftheplacestheyvisit.

• Promotingbiking,walkingandhorsebackriding:Monitor,update

andpromotetrailsinformationfoundonCOTREX,Colorado’sOfficialTrailsApp.

• BuildingVacationPlanningItineraries:SeasonallytheCTOsolicitsitinerariestotheColo-RoadTripswith2-10dayitinerariesonColorado.com.Everyitinerarydescribesadrivingvacationwithovernightstays,andgivesenoughdetailstomakeiteasyforvisitorstoplananamazingtriptosomewherethey'veneverbeen.TheCTOcreatedColorado-RoadTripin2017tohelpvisitorsfindtheirwaytoourstate'sless-visiteddestinationsandenjoyfamousplacesduringoff-peaktimesandseasons.ThisonlinecollectionofitinerariesispromotedintheCTO'snationwidemarketingcampaigns,intheirvisitorguidesandontheirVisitColoradoFacebookpage,whichsparksnearlytwicetheengagementofothercontentplatforms.

• CrisisRecoveryCommunicationsandTraining:TheColoradoTourismOffice(CTO)offersavarietyoftrainingsforpreparednessandrecoveryofassets.Wehaveusedtheseoverthepasttwoyearsofwildfiremanagement.

• MarketingGrants:TheCTO’sMarketingMatchingGrantProgramprovidesfundingtonot-for-ProfitorganizationsintheStateofColoradoforthepurposeofpromotingthestateoraregionasatourismdestination.Travelregionsthroughoutthestateareeligibleforthesegrantdollars,aswellasstatewideassociations,organizationsandothernonprofitentitiesthatengageinpromotingtravelthroughouttheentirestate.Thesegrantsarecompetitiveandareawardedannually.

• SocialMedia:TheCTOoffersthePaidSocialMediaCo-opAdvertisingprogramtoleveragethepoweroftheStateTourismOffice’ssocialchannelstoprovidemorewidespreaddistributionofpartnercontent.Theprogram’sstrategyistopromoteindustrypartnercontentontheCTO’ssocialmediachannelsandpushconsumerstocontentonpartnerpages/sites.Inaddition,theCTOofferstheopportunitynotonlytoincreasepartnerreachintothemarketplace,butalsotoinsurethatthepromotedcontentgoestothepartner’sspecifiedtargetaudiences.

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NewTargetMarketsfortheScenicHighwayofLegendsMostvisitorscometotheScenicHighwayofLegendsforscenicdrives,primarilytakingdaytoursbycar,motorcycle,orRVs,anddonotstayovernight.Wearereadytoexpandourmarketingreachtonewtypesoftravelerswhowillplantostayovernightandwhoareeagertoconnectwithourlocalresourcesinmorespecificways.AmateurandProfessionalGeologistsTheuniquegeologysurroundingtheSpanishPeakshasorganicallyattractedamateurandprofessionalgeologistsformanyyears.Wecantargetthisspecialtymarketbyhostingeducationalprogramsthroughone-on-onecontactwithuniversitiesdepartmentsandgeologyclubs.OutdoorRecreationParticipantsCurrentlythosevisitorswhocometotheScenicHighwayofLegendsforoutdoorrecreationalactivitiescometoenjoythetraditionalactivitiesoffishing,huntingandcamping.Hikingandbikingtrailsarecurrentlyonlylightlyused,howeverrecentannouncementsregardingtraildevelopmentonFishersPeakStateParkarea(aboveTrinidad)hasrousedinterestinbicyclistsfromalloverthestate.CreativeDistrictsandLoversoftheArtsTheStateofColoradohasdesignatedTrinidadasaCreativeDistrict,andthecityisengagedinrenovatingthreebuildingsonMainStreetforaSpacetoCreateprogramforworkingartists.TheLaVetaChamberiscurrentlyapplyingforthissameColoradoCreativeDistrict,designating,capitalizingonthefactthatLaVetahasmoreartgalleriesthatanyotherColoradotownofitssize,andhasbeencomparedfavorablybysometravelersassimilartheartenvironmentofSantaFe.

PartneringwithNeighboringBywaysFive-dayitinerariesonmultiplebywaysMostpeoplediscovertheScenicHighwayofLegendsviatravelonInterstate25andUSHighway160.ManyothersfindusontheirwaytotheGreatSandDunesNationalParkandPreserve(65miles).TheSHOLiscurrentlyworkingwiththreeotherbywaysintheregiontopromotea3-5day“roadslesstraveled”itinerary.TheProgramDirectoroftheColoradoBywayProgramisencouragingustoexpandthispromisingprogram.WearefortunatetobelocatedinaclusterofspectacularstateandNationalScenicByways.TheMountainBranchoftheSantaFeTrailNationalScenicBywaymeetstheScenicHighwayofLegendsinTrinidad,Colorado.LosCaminosAntiguosScenicandHistoricBywayis47milestothewestofintheSanLuisValley.FrontierPathwaysandGoldBeltTour,bothNationalScenicByways,are24and94milesrespectivielytothenorth.MarketingChallengesSecuringfundingtomaintainavibrantmarketingprogramforthisSouthernColoradoruralbywayhasbeenacontinuouschallenge.Ourspectacularmountainregionissparselypopulated,economicallyimpoverished,andhasnotyetenjoyedthefullbenefitsofColorado’sreputationasaworld-classtourismdestination.Roadconditionsalongthistwo-lanebywayaremaintainedataveryhighstandardandthebywayisopenyearround,yetfewbusinessesalongthebywaycanaffordtostayopenformorethansixmonthsayear.TheclosingoftheCucharaMountainSkiResort,onceathrivingtourismasset,hasanegativelyimpactedmanyofourmountainbywaycommunities.Alargepopulationofsecond-homeownersoncesupportedawiderangeoflocaltourismrelatedbusinesses,andhelpedsupportlocalbusinessesonayear-roundbasis.TherecentclosingoftheLaVetaGolfCoursehasbeenanotherfinancialblow.

Themostintensepublicitytheareahasreceivedinthepast10yearshasbeenpressoveragecoverageduringthe2018SpringWildfire,thesecondlargestwildfireeverrecordedinColorado.BoththetownofLaVetaandtheMountainVillageofCucharawerecompletelyclosedforthedayssurroundingthe4thofJuly,theoneweekendwhenbywaycommunitiestraditionallydothemajorityoftheirsummerbusiness.ItbeendifficulttomakeupthatlossandeducateregionalvisitorsthatthelegendaryScenicHighwayofLegendsisstillasafeandspectacularscenicdrive.Asdocumentedabove,theScenicHighwayofLegendshasoperatedamarketingprogramusingastrategyofmaintainingmultiplepartnershipsandperpetualpursuitofgrantopportunities.Intruth,primarystrengthhasbeenmaintainedthroughsupportfromtheleadershipoftheColoradoBywaysProgram,throughopportunitiesofferedthroughthecompetitivegrantsprogramoftheFHWA’sNationalBywaysProgram,andthroughtheongoingadvocacyofScenicAmerica.

This audio tour for the Scenic Highway of

Legends received more visits the first month of its launch than two of the 2 national parks in the

area, making for a pleasing visitor experience. It has peaked the interest of other byways as well.

Jan Carrola, Wisconsin Scenic Byway Coordinator writes: “The Byways and the County did a really nice job with the pacing of the tour by interspersing the route’s history and legends with the geology or scenic/recreational assets. Often with History Geology, a traveler may not know

what they are looking at and this tour helped with that. The tour also did a nice job of tackling some

difficult matters, especially as it related to the coal mines”

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OUTDOORADVERTISINGSignagePlanTheStateScenicBywayhascompletedwayfindingassessmentsonallofColorado’s26byways.Ourswascompletedearlyintin2008.Atthattime,thestudyfoundthatourdirectionsignagefromCDOTwasexcellent,andtherepetitiveroutesigns(blueColumbine)thatappeareverytenmilesexcellent.Sincethatstudy,thebywayhasaddedsignageinfourcommunities,andhasanotherdozeninterpretivesignsscheduledtobeinstalledintheSpringof2020.Thebywayhassteadilybuiltitsinterpretivesignage,withthenextstepbeingtheexpansionoftheinformationsystemwithinterpretationspecificallyaddressingGeology,ourstrongestintrinsicvalue.Columbine/ScenicBywaySignageRegardingColumbine/ScenicBywaySignageontheSHOL,thenewBODwillassignateamtotakeaninventoryofcurrentconditionoftheColumbinesignagealongthebywaytofindoutwhatismissingaswellaswhatneedsrepair.

TheywillthenmakeaplanthetakesfulladvantageofthecolumbinesignageguidelinessetbyCDOT(seebelow)andincludeGPSlocationsforeach.ThatdocumentwillbesenttoCDOT’sDistrictEngineer’sofficeinPuebloforreviewandconcurrence.ThereareseveralopportunitieswiththisprogramfortheSHOL.GeneralColumbineSigningGuidelinesforScenicBywayonStateHighwayA.SignsonRoute

•ScenicBywaymarkeratbeginandendofroute.Assemblytoinclude“Begin”and“End”plaqueasappropriate.

•ScenicBywaymarkerwithdirectionalarrowatrightangleturnsoftheroute.

•ScenicBywaymarkerwithdirectionalarrowatallirregularturnsoftheroute

•ScenicBywayreassurancemarketaftermajorintersectionsandcountyroads.Maximumdistancebetweenreassurancemarketsshouldbeapproximately5miles-maximumdistanceof10

•Thenameofthescenicbywaywillbeincludedonallsign.

B.SignsonapproachroadstoscenicByway•ScenicBywaymarkerwithdirectionalarrow(s)atallStateHighwayintersections.

•ScenicBywayMarkerwithdirectionalarrow*(s)atmajorcountyroadintersectionswheretouristtrafficislikelytobeenteringtheStateHighway.

C.InterpretativesigningshallonlybeinstalledinrestareasoroverlooksandagreeduponbytheDistrictEngineer.

OthersignagenotrequiringaPermitfromCDOTA.On-premiseSignsB.DirectionalSignsthatare:

•Nolargerthan8squarefeetandtheadvertisefarms,ranches,nonprofiteducational,veterans,religious,chartableorcivilorganizations.

•Nolargerthan32squarefeet,thesolepurposeofwhichistoprovidedirectiontoindividualfarmsorranchesbywayofindividualSignsthatarenolargerthan8squarefeet

•ASignindicatingpublicutilityandnotadvertisingaproduct,includinginformationalSigns,notices,ormakers,erectedandmaintainedbyapublicorprivatepublicutilitycompany.

C.OfficialSigns

TouristOrientedDirectionalSigns(TODS)Understateandfederallaw,CDOTissuespermitsapprovingspecificinformationsigns(LOGO)oninterstates,freewaysandexpressways,andtourist-orienteddirectionalsigns(TODS)onnon-interstatehighways.Bothtypesofguidesignsmustmeetspecificstateandfederalrequirements,and—inthecaseofTODS—localrequirements.Photo:CucharaFoundation(Facebook)

LOGOsignsprovideidentificationanddirectionalinformationtothetravelingpublicforeligiblebusinessesofferinggas,food,lodging,camping,24-hourpharmaciesandtouristattractionsnearinterstates,freewaysandexpressways.TODSprovidebusinessidentificationanddirectionalinformationfortourist-orientedactivitiesalongnon-interstatehighways.

Ruleshavebeenestablishedtogovernthesignprogramspursuanttostatute.

AneligiblebusinessmustapplyforapermittodisplayaLOGOorTODSplaqueonaCDOTsignstructure.CDOTreviewstheapplicationanddetermineseligibilityundertheFHWAManualonUniformTrafficControlDevices,andunder2CCR601-7,"RulesGoverningSpecificInformationSigns(LOGO)andTouristOrientedDirectionalSigns(TODS)OnStateHighways."Programfeesarebasedonaveragedailytrafficinbothsignprograms.

CONTACT:AnthonyLovatoOutdoorAdvertisingProgramManager303-512-4496anthony.lovato@state.co.usAllothernonconformingAdvertisingDeviceswouldrequireaCDOTPermitandarelikelytonotbepermittedontheSH.

ApaintingbyKathyHillillustratesthequaintnessofCuchara.

DogDaysofCuchara

LathropStatePark

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ROADWAYSAFETYANDMAINTENANCEOVERSIGHTTheScenicHighwayofLegendsBywayislocatedalongUS160andSH12betweenWalsenburgandTrinidad–adistanceofroughly82miles,providingalooproutebetweenthesegatewaycommunities.IncludedinthebywaydesignationisaspurrouteextendingfromSH12atCucharasPass(elevation9,941feet)overCordovaPass(elevation11,743feet)alongunimprovedCountyRoad46connectingwithAguilaratI-25,adistanceofroughly35miles.

Operationsandmaintenanceofthebywayisasfollows:

HighwaySegment(US160andSH12)–ThissegmentofthebywayisoperatedandmaintainedbyCDOTaspartofthestate’shighwaysystem.ThesectionofthebywayalongUS160,extendingfromWalsenburgtotheSH12intersection,isalsopartofthefederal-aidNationalHighwaySystem.CDOTmaintainsthebywayyearround.

Off-HighwaySegment(CountyRoad46)–ThissegmentofthebywayisoperatedandmaintainedbyLasAnimasCounty.Theroadwayisunimproved,suitableforoff-roadvehiclesandisclosedinthewinter.

GeneralDescriptionoftheRoadway

Thehighwaysegmentofthebywayisgenerallycharacterizedasatwo-laneruralhighwaythroughrollingtomountainousterrain.ExtendingwesterlyfromWalsenburgalongUS160,theroadwayalignmentgenerallyfollowstheCucharasRiverfloodplain.AttheUS160andSH12intersection,thebywayturnssouthalongSH12followingtheCucharasRivervalley,withmultiplecrossingsoftheriver,uptoCucharasPass.Nearthepass,thealignmentincludesmultipleswitchbackswithsteeperverticalgrades.Southofthepass,thealignmentcrossesmultipledrainagesanddescendsintothePurgatoireRiverValleynearStonewall.AtStonewall,thealignmentturnseasterly,followingthevalley,toitsterminusatTrinidad.

Throughoutthebyway’slength,theroadwaysection,postedspeed,andright-of-waywidtharehighlyvariable.Thefollowingprovidesageneraldescriptionoftheroadway:

PostedSpeed–Asshowninthefigure,thepostedspeedsalongthebywayrangefrom25mphto65mph.Slowerspeedlimitsare

postedwithinthevariouscommunities,withhigherlimitsalongtheruralandrollingsections.Withinthemountainoussectionofthebyway,postedspeedlimitsreflectthemoremeanderingalignment,rangingfrom35mphto50mphwithadvancedwarningsignageforsharpercurves.

LaneWidths–TypicallanewidthsalongUS160are12feetandalongSH12varyfrom10to12feet.The10feetlanewidthsoccurforashortstretchnearWeston.Traveledlanewidthsof10feetmaybeusediftheaveragedailytraffic(ADT)islessthan1,500vehiclesperdayandthedesignspeedislessthan35mph.

ShoulderWidths–Existingshoulderwidthsvarythroughoutthebyway.Asshownonthefigure,pavedshoulderwidthsrangefromzerototwofeetalongthemountainoussectionofthebyway,withlowertrafficvolumesandpostedspeeds,tosixtotenfeetalongportionsofUS160andmorerecentlyimprovedsectionsofSH12nearTrinidad.

Right-of-Way–Theright-of-wayalongthebywayisownedandmaintainedbyCDOT.Existingright-of-waywidthsvary

considerablythroughoutthebyway.ExistingwidthsalongUS160rangebe-tween100and200feet.AlongSH12,theright-of-wayisnarrower,rangingbetween30and70feetnearCucharaandgenerally60to200feetelsewhere.

GeneralConditionoftheRoadwayandBridges

CDOTmaintainsthebyway’sroadwaysurfaceandbridgesinageneralstateofgoodrepair.US160andSH12haveanasphaltpavementsurfacethroughout.CDOT’sOnlineTransportationInformationSystem(OTIS)indicatestheremaininglifeoftheasphaltpavementvariesfrom0yearsto12years.Adrivabilitylifeofzerowasnotedforashortone-milesectionnearWalsenburgwiththerestofthebywayhavingadrivabilitylifeoffiveyearsorgreater.Inthefuture,assectionsoftheexistingpavementreachtheendoftheirservicelife,CDOTwillprovidepavementrehabilitationtomaintaintheroadway’sdrivingsurface.

ExistingbridgesalongthebywaywereidentifiedusingtheuniquebridgeidentifierassignedbyCDOT.CDOTregularlyinspectsbridgestoreviewtheircurrentconditions.Uponinspection,bridgesareassigneda

conditionratingrangingfrom“Good”to“Poor”andasufficiencyratingfromzeroto100per-cent.Sufficiencyratingsareanoverallratingofabridge’sabilitytoremaininservicebasedonthebridgefieldinspectionandevaluation.Onehundredpercentrepresentsanentirelysufficientbridgeandzeropercentadeficientorentirelyinsufficientbridge.

Bridgeelementsassignedaratinginclude

theridingsurface,thesuperstructure,andthesubstructure.ConditionratingsandsufficiencyratingswereobtainedfromOTIS.Allbridgesalongthebywaycurrentlyhaveaconditionratingof“Good”.Asshowninthefollowingtable,currentsufficiencyratingsrangefrom64.3%to99.1%.Overtime,asthesebridgesdeteriorate,CDOTwillrehabilitateorreplacethestructuretomaintainthebridgecrossing.

RoadwayDesignResources:2019CDOTVisualImpactAssessment(VIA)Guide2014CDOTLandscapeArchitectureManual

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BYWAYBRIDGES

TRAFFICCHARACTERISTICS

Asshowninthefollowingfigures,alongUS160,2017dailytrafficvolumesvaryfrom3,700aver-ageannualdailytraffic(AADT)onthewestendto8,300AADTontheeastendinWalsenburg.

ThesevolumesrepresentVolumetoCapacity(V/C)ratios(ameasureofthevolumeoftrafficrelativetothecapacityofthehighwayatanacceptablelevelofservice)of0.29to0.65,respectively,withthevastmajorityofthesectionrepresentedbythelowerV/C

ratio.Alsoshown,dailytrafficvolumesalongSH12varyfrom630AADTto9,200AADTatthesouthernendofthebywayinTrinidad.ThesevolumesrepresentV/Cratiosrangingfrom0.07to0.47,withthevastmajorityofthebywayhavingaV/Cratiolessthan0.2.Asshown,thecapacitiesofbothUS160andSH12aremorethansufficientforcurrenttrafficvolumes.Itisanticipatedthatfuturetrafficgrowthwouldnotmeasurablychangethebyway’strafficoperations.

Therearepassingzonesatregularintervalsthroughoutthebyway.Therearealsoslowvehiclepulloutsatvariouslocations.AlongUS160areseveralpassinglanes,butnoneexistalongSH12.Asapercentageofthetotalvehiculartrafficvolume,thepercentageoftrucksrangesfrom3to19percentwithanaverageofapproximatelyeightpercent.US160isdesignatedanationaltruckrouteandcarriesmoretrucksandgenerallyahigherpercentageoftrucksthanSH12.

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SAFETYONTHESCENICHIGHWAYOFLEGENDS

Thecrashhistoryalongthebywayforthefive-yearperiodfromJanuary1st,2013throughDecember31st,2017,wascollectedandanalyzed.Thepurposeoftheexaminationwastolocatecrashclustersandidentifycrashcauses.

Atotalof367crasheswerereportedalongthesesectionsofUS160andSH12duringthefive-yearperiod–78crashesresultedin105injuries,fourcrashesresultedinfourfatalities,andtheremaining285crashesresultedinpropertydamageonly.Thefollowingtablesummarizesthenumberandseverityofcrashesoverthefive-year

studyperiod.Asshown,thenumberandseverityofcrasheshaveremainedrelativelyconstantfromyeartoyearduringthestudyperiod.Anincreaseintotalcrashesoccurredin2014,butsubsequentyearsreturnedtolevelssimilarto2013.Theincreasein2014wasduetoahighernumberofpropertydamageonlytypecrashes.

YearNumberofCrashes

Fatality Injury PDO1 Total

January2013-December2013 1 10 58 69

January2015-December2015 - 18 55 73

January2017-December2017 - 16 55 71

Total 4 78 285 367

Therewerefourfatalcrashesalongthebywayduringthefive-yearstudyperiod.Thelocationsofthecrashesweredispersed.Threeofthefatalitiesoccurredalongacurve.Twofatalitiesinvolvedmotorcycles.Alcoholwasacontributingfactorintwofatalities.Allfourfatalitiesoccurredunderdryconditionsandwerenotinthevicinityofanintersection.Crashtypesandlightingconditionsvariedinallfour.

ThefollowinggraphsshowthechangeinWeightedCrashRate,thechangeinTotalNumberofCrashes,andthechangeintheNumberofWildAnimalCrashesalongUS160andSH12.TheWeightedCrashRatetakesintoaccounttheseverityofthecrashandtheAverageDailyTraffic(ADT)atthelocationsofthecrashes.Thegraphsreveallocationsofcrashconcentrationandseverityalongthebyway.

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SH12,MP0.00toMP70.83;1MileMovingSection,0.1Increments1/1/2013to12/31/2017

WEIGHTEDACCIDENTRATE

US160,MP294.00toMP305.38;+/-MileMovingSection,0.1Increments1/1/2013to12/31/2017

NUMBEROFACCIDENTS

US160,MP294.00toMP305.38;+/-MileMovingSection,0.1Increments1/1/2013to12/31/2017

NUMBEROFACCIDENTS

Peaks intheweightedcrashratealongUS160 occurred atMP 294.8,MP 300.3, andMP305,asfollows:

♦ MP294.8isalittleoverahalf-milenortheastoftheSH12intersection.Thisareaexperiencedanalcoholrelatedfatality,twoinjurycrashesunderadverseweatherconditions,andsevenPDOcrashesofwhichfivewerewildanimaltypecrashes.

♦ TheMP300.3areaisnearCountyRoad504andtheWalsenburgReservoir.Fourteenofthe26crashesinthisarea,fromMP299.7toMP301,werewildanimaltypecrashes.Ofthose14,tenwereunderdarkorunlightedconditions.

♦ MP305encompassesthebywayinWalsenburg.Thirty-fourtotalcrashesoccurredinthisareaofwhich16wererear-endtypecrashesandsixwerebroadsidecrashes.Thesetypecrashesareconsistentwiththeincreaseinaccesspointsandthemoreurbannatureofthissection.

Peaks in theweighted crash rate alongSH 12 occurred at MP 4, MP 28, MP43.1,andMP55.4,asfollows:

♦ MP4islocatedneartheCucharasRiverjustnorthofLaVetaandhadaconcentrationofwildanimaltypecrashes.

♦ MP28islocatedinasharpcurvenearNorthLake.Thelocationexperienced7totalcrashes(3injuryand4PDO)ofwhichfourwereguardrailtypecrashes.Twooftheseveninjurycrashesinvolvedmotorcycles.

♦ MP43.1isnearCountyRoad21.6.ThisisalowADTlocationwithanS-curvewhichexperiencedfourtotalcrashes,butonewasafatalityandan-otherwasaninjury,bothofwhichinvolvedmotorcycles.

♦ MP55.4hadthehighestpeakinweightedcrashratealongSH12.Itencompassesapproximatelya2.3-milestretchfromMP53.8toMP56.1.SaracilloCanyon,PenItenteCanyon,SmithCanyon,andPrimeroCanyonarelocatedalongthisstretch.Ithad13totalcrashesofwhichsevenwerewildanimaltypecrashes.

Ananalysisofthebyway’sfive-yearcrashhistorywasperformedincomparisonto

othersimilarruraltwo-lanehighwayswithinColorado.Whiletherearesomelocationsofhighercrashconcentrations,assummarizedabove,overall,thebywayhasacrashhistorynotunlikeorbetterthantheaveragehistoryofothersimilarroutes.Safetyisnotasystematicproblemalongthebyway.However,thoughthesafetyhistoryissimilartootherroutes,improvementstothebywayattheidentifiedareasofhighercrashconcentrationscouldreducethecrashrisksandhazardsfortravelersalongthebyway.

SafetyandHighwayImprovements

CDOTandtheSouthCentralCouncilofGovernments,incoordinationwiththebyway’sboardandlocalstakeholders,areconductingaPlanningandEnvironmentalLinkages(PEL)Studyofthecorridoralongthebyway.Thepurposeofthestudyistoimprovehighwaysafetyandprovidearegionalandlocalmulti-usetrailalongthebywaybetweenWalsenburgandTrinidad.TheintentofthetrailimprovementsistocompletethemissinglinkbetweenWalsenburgandTrinidadfortheColoradoFrontRangeTrail(CFRT).ThePELStudyisexpectedtobecompletedinAugust2020.

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In2003,ColoradoStateParks,withthesupportofthecitizensofColoradoandstakeholders,initiatedtheCFRTtopromoteandconnecttheFrontRangecommunitiesandrecreationalassets.Uponcompletion,theCFRTwillbean876-mileshared-usetrailthatstretchesfromWyomingtoNewMexicoalongColorado’sFrontRange,providingacontinuousconnectionbetweenpopulationcentersandexistingandplannedtrailsystems.Itwillserveasakeynon-motorizedlinkagebetweencommunities,landscapes,parksandopenspace,recreationattractions,andotherpointsofinterestalongtheFrontRange.Assuch,itwillbeanimportantrecreationalandtransportationresourceandwillsupportColorado’stour-ism,heritage,healthandeconomy,includingtheby-way.TheCFRTMasterPlanandImplementationPlanwerecompletedbyColoradoStateParksin2007.Todate,over270milesofthetrailhavebeencompleted.Apreferredrouteforthetrailhasbeenplanned,includingthedesignationofthebywayasthepreferredroute;however,theCFRTdoesnotcurrentlyexistwithinthissegment.ThepurposeofthePELStudy,therefore,inadditiontosafetyimprovements,istoidentifythelocationof

theCFRTalongthebywayentailingalocationeitherdirectlyalongthebywaywithinCDOTright-of-wayoronarouteseparatefrombutnearthebyway.Whilenotyetcompleted,thePELStudywill

identifyrecommendedhighwaysafetyandtrailimprovementsforCDOTandlocalagenciestoimplementovertimeasfundingisavailable.Theseanticipatedimprovementsinclude:

GENERALCORRIDOR-WIDESAFETYRECOMMENDATIONS

♦ Centerlinerumblestripshavebeeninstalledthroughoutmostofthebyway.ConsiderinstallingedgelinerumblestripsalongthebywaytoreducerunofftheroadcrashesperCDOTRoadwayDesignGuideCh14.

♦ Renewstripingandcheckretroreflectivityofallexistingsigns.

♦ Considerreplacingrigiddelineatorswithflexibledelineators.

♦ Reviewandcorrect,asnecessary,advancedcurvewarningsignsandchevrons.

♦ Conductaspotspeedstudytoevaluateappropriatenessofexistingpostedspeedlimits.

WildAnimalCrashes

Thehighestincidenceofcrashtypewaswildanimaltypecrashes,whichaccountedfor37%ofallcrashesalongthebywayandfarexceededothercrashtypes.Peaksinwildanimalcrashfrequencywerenotedinthevicinityofwatersourcessuchascanyons,rivers,andlakesthatwereincloseproximity

tothehighway.Thefollowinglocationswerenotedinparticular:

♦ MartinLaketoWalsenburgReservoir

♦ CucharasRivernorthofLaVeta

♦ PurgatoireRivereastofWeston

♦ ReillyCanyonandCarpiosCanyonnearTrinidadLake

Furtherstudyoftheselocationsisrecommendedtomitigatethehigherincidenceofwildanimalcrashes.Intheselocations,considerationshouldbegiventoconstructingdesignfeaturesorothermeasuresthatwillaccommodatewildlifemigrationpatterns.Con-siderconductingastudytounderstandwildlifemigrationalongthebywayanddeterminethemostcost-effectivemeasurestoreducewildanimalcollisions.

RoadwayConfigurations(LaneDepartureCrashes)-Thelackofsufficientshoulderwidthscanbeaprimarycontributortolanedeparturetypecrashes.Inordertoprovidevehiclesmoreroomforcorrectionifthey

leavethetraveledway,itisrecommendedthatimprovedshouldersbeprovidedasfollows:

Improvetheroadwayconfiguration,potentiallyincludingadditionalroadsideimprovementsand/orsignage,atlocationsofhigherconcentrationsoflanedeparturecrashesincluding:

♦ SharpcurvejustsoutheastofNorthLake

♦ Aroughlyone-milesectionneartheintersectionwithCountyRoad21.6nearVigil

♦ Aroughlytwo-milesectionbetweenMilePost(MP)53.8and56.1nearSegundo

TransitionZones(Rear-endCrashes)–Improvetheroadwayatlocationswithhigherconcentrationsofrear-endcrashesincluding:

♦ NearandwestofWalsenburg(aroundMP305)

♦ WithintheCommunityofJansen(MP67.9toMP69.1)

♦ WithintheCityofTrinidadattheSantaFeandMainStreetintersection

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BicyclingSafety

Therearenodesignatedbicyclefacilitiesalongthebyway.Toimprovebicyclingsafety,inadditiontoshoulderwideningforlanedeparturecrashes,improvementswouldinclude:

♦ Widenexistingbridgeshoulderwidthstoeliminatelocalizednarrowingofshouldersforbicyclistsaccordingtoadjoiningroadwayshoulderwidthrecommendations.

♦ Provideadditionalprovisionsforbicyclistssuchassigns:1)BicyclistonRoadnext10Miles,2)3FttoPass,and3)Bicylisttakelaneand/orpavementtreatments,suchaspaintedbuffersand/orpavementmarkings.

PedestrianCrossingSafety

EvaluateandconsiderpedestrianSH12crossingsafetyimprovementsinLaVeta,CucharaandStonewall.UtilizeguidancefromColoradoDowntownStreetsGuide.

Multi-useTrailImprovementRecommendationsProvideaneight-footwidemulti-usetrailalongthebywaycorridorconnectingwithLathropStateParktothenorthandTrinidad

LakeStateParktothesouth.Thealignmentofthetrailwouldbeeitheralongthebywaycorridor,withintheCDOTright-of-way,eitherintegratedintotheroadwayshouldersorasaseparatedtrail,oralonganindependentalignmentseparatefrombutnearthebyway,suchasaNationalRecreationTrail.

HighwayVisitorInformation

ThereareanumberofsourceswheretravelerscanfindoutmoreabouttheHighwayofLegendsandthesurroundingarea.Iftravelinginthearea,thebestchoicewouldbethevisitorcentersatthegatewaycities.Thesetwovisitorcentersareopenyearround:

• TheSpanishPeaksCountryVisitorCenter,401MainSt,Walsenburg,Colorado

• ColoradoVisitorCenterinTrinidad,309NevadaAve.,TrinidadColorado

OtherOnlineSources

• RequestaFREESpanishPeaksCountryVisitor'sGuidefromwww.SpanishPeaksCountry.com

• DownloadtheTRAVELSTORYSaudioAppforafullGPSactivatedtouroftheBywayhttp://travelstorys.com/tours/105/Highway%20of%20Legends

• Visitwww.Visittrinidadcolorado.com

• Visithttps://www.lavetacucharachamber.com

• Searchhttps://thecucharamountainpark.org/colorado.com

• Findanitinerarywww.colorado.com/colo-road-trips

• SearchaGuidetoallofColorado’sScenicBywayshttps://www.colorado.com/articles/quick-guide-colorados-scenic-historic-byways

InformationonOTISOnlineTransportationInformationSystem(OTIS)providesvaluableinformationforthemanagementandoversightofthebyway.Informationprovidedincludescurrentandprojectedtrafficvolumes,statehighwayattributes,summaryroadwaystatistics,andgeographicdata.Thesedataprovideinsightsonthegeneraloperatingandphysicalconditionsofthebywayfortransportationplanningandprojectdevelopmentactivities.Ingeneral,thisrepositoryandportalishelpfulformanagingthebywayandisnotaprimarysourceofinformationforvisitorstothebyway.

ANEWERALaunchingtheNewEra:OrganizationalChangesThePELBike/PedStudyandtheopportunityfortheSHOLtoapplyfordesignationasaNationalScenicBywayisgeneratinginterestfromlocalstakeholderswhowanttobeapartofthesefreshlocalinitiatives.Thiseagernesstoparticipateisanewdynamic,onewhichgivespausetoaleadershipteamthatknowshowlongtheorganizationhasstruggledtosustainlastingcommitmentsfromBoardMembers,andfailedtoraiseoperationalfundsfrommembershipsfrombusinessesstakeholdersonthebyway.Goingforward,Boardmemberswillkeepthebywayfrontandcenterinthemindsandheartsofthecommunity.Theywilloverseethesubcommitteesandmaintainanongoingpublicinvolvementprogramthatwillceaselesslyattractnewinterestfromindividualswhoarewillingtosharetheirtalents.AllmembersoftheBoardwillbeexpectedtohelpseekfundingthatwillinsurethelong-termsustainabilityofthebywayandhelpspearheademergingnewinitiatives.

TheBoardiscurrentlystudyingafundingmodelthathasbeenusedsuccessfullybytheWestElkLoopByway(WELB).Theyhaveidentifiedanddevelopedpartnershipswiththosewhohavethemosttogainfromthebywayanditsvisitors-thecountyandcitygovernments,tourismboardsandchambersofcommerce.TogethertheyhavedeterminedafairandmanageableamountthateachagencycanpayannuallyandtheyareinvoicefortheamounteachJanuary.Webelievethatthisapproachcouldgenerate$5,000annuallyfortheuseforoperatingcosts,andsomematchingfunds.TheBoardCorporate“Champion”donorwillalsobeconsidered.OTHERMODELSBEINGCONSIDEREDATourismBusinessImprovementDistrict:Thispublic/privateapproachhasbeenusedsuccessfullybyFremontAdventureRecreation(FAR)inFremontCounty.BusinessesaroundFremontCountyelecttoadda1%donationontotheircustomer'sbill.(Customers,inturn,havetheoptiontooptoutofthedonation.)

ContributionsarethendistributeddirectlytoFAR.Allmoniescollectedfromthese1%donationsarecollectivelyusedtofundtrailsandoutdoorrecreationintheRoyalGorgeRegion.The1%ForTrailsinitiativefundsallthingstrailsandoutdoorrecreation:matchingfundsforgrants,grantwriting,trailbuilding,traildesign,andmore.FARalsocontributestolocaleffortstomarkettoandencourageusersofsingle-tracktrails.CountyGovernmentsBothHuerfanoandTrinidad’sTourismBoardshavehelpedinthepastwithgrantmatchesonacase-by-case.Wewillcontinuetonurturetheserelationships.ATourismImprovementDistrict(TID)isanindustry-ledfundingmodelinwhichtourismbusinessescontributetowardsacommonfund.Fundsaregeneratedwithaself-assessedfeethatiscollectedbyaprivatebody,typicallyaDestinationMarketingOrganization(DMO).

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ATIDdiffersfromaTourismOccupancyTax(TOT)orbedtax,inthatitusesanassessment(notatax)andthecollectedfundsarerequiredtobeallocatedtoaspecificpurpose.TIDsvaryinstructure.Mostincludeaself-assessedhotelfee,butmanyTIDsalsoincludeothersectorslikerentalcar,attractionsandfoodservicesectors.ParticipationintheseTIDscanbecompulsoryornon-compulsoryforlocalindustrymembers.GoFundMeAccountsOurSisterStateBywayinSapporo,Japanhasusedthisformoffundingandaremostenthusiasticabouttheirsuccesses.Ithasgivenusersachancetopayforthepleasureofusingaspecificbyway.Itrequiresaverywellmanagedactivesocialmediaprogram.

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