The Chaffee County Heritage Area Advisory Board, in collaboration with Chaffee County Government and the Colorado Department of Transportation, is updating a Corridor Management Plan for the Collegiate Peaks Scenic & Historic Byway.

CCHAAB is requesting input for the updated Byway CMP from now through April 15th. The project website at tinyurl.com/chaffeebyway includes information on numerous opportunities for public comment and feedback on the CMP. Overview of the Byway itself is available at https://collegiatepeaksbyway.org/. 

Designated in 2005, the 57-mile long Byway traverses through the middle of the Upper Arkansas River Valley and offers unique “Heart of the Rockies” experiences and access to an abundance of natural, cultural, and scenic opportunities. The Byway runs along US Highway 24 from north of Granite to Poncha Springs, also wrapping in State Highway 291 to Salida and US Highway 50 between Poncha and Salida. The Byway terminates a few miles over the northern Chaffee County line, near where travelers can access the Top of the Rockies Scenic & Historic Byway in Lake County.

The original Corridor Management Plan for the Byway was developed in 2008. In accordance with State and Federal guidelines, the Byway is now undergoing an updated management planning process to maintain its official Scenic & Historic Byway designation. This updated CMP will outline how Chaffee County will continue to enhance, protect, promote, and benefit from the unique character of the Byway. The plan is collaborative across partners and agencies and is a fluid document that will continue to be updated over time.

The CCHAAB, administered by the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) through partnership with Chaffee County Government, is seeking community input to identify what makes the Byway memorable, what characteristics contribute to its unique sense of place, and if changes are occurring along the Byway that affect these characteristics. Community members can provide feedback and learn more about the CMP update project at tinyurl.com/chaffeebyway or visit bit.ly/BywayInput complete a simple form. Input can also be provided in-person, at local pop-up events:

• March 29, noon to 1 PM: City Market, 438 US-24, Buena Vista, CO 81211
• March 30, noon to 1 PM: Safeway, 232 G St, Salida, CO 81201

Input for the updated CMP is being collected through April 15, 2023. All public comments and feedback are appreciated and will help inform development of the updated Byway management plan.

Questions on the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway can be addressed by the GARNA initiative lead for the Byway and CCHAAB, Dominique Naccarato, at dominique@garna.org or 719.539.5106. For more information on the CMP update, contact CMP Project Manager Jodie Snyder at jodie.snyder@fhueng.com or 719.985.4006.

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Dan R

Danny “Dan R” Ridenour has been in radio and television broadcasting for over 40 years, starting as a senior in high school in Rogers, Arkansas. His radio career has had stops in Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma, and eventually, Colorado. Dan enjoys being involved in the community, having been a member of the Upper Arkansas Service Club and is currently on the board of directors for the Salida Community Center and is a member of the Chaffee County Fair Committee. He and his wife Carrie spend their days doing everything the mountains have to offer: hiking, camping, fishing and skiing. They've raised 3 children and have 2 grandchildren.

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