DENVER — Denver International Airport is showing off Colorado’s 26 Scenic and Historic Byways through a collection of breathtaking color photographs in “Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways.” Two photographs from the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway are included in the collection, which is located at the 'Y-Juncture Gallery' past the A-security checkpoint. The collection will be displayed at DIA through October and then move to the state capitol in January of 2019.

Journey through the photographic collection to see such locations as Rattlesnake Arches Trail, the Steel Bridge on Phantom Canyon Road, or the highest paved road in north America, to name a few. The exhibit represents each of the byways located in 48 of Colorado’s 65 counties, 11 of which are nationally recognized for their outstanding scenic and historic attributions. Colorado has the most designated byways in the U.S., so this venturesome exhibit along highways and back-roads reveals more than just suggested road trips. It’s a true Colorado experience. Los Caminos Antiguos photographs feature a photo of the Cumbres and Toltec Steam Train by Chris Cassels, who runs Casablanca Digital Media, and a photo of two children playing in Medano Creek at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve taken by Patrick Myers/NPS.

Colorado’s Scenic Byways program is a statewide partnership intended to provide recreational, educational and economic benefits to Coloradans and visitors. This system of outstanding touring routes in Colorado affords the traveler interpretation and identification of key points of interest and services while providing for the protection of significant resources. The byways unite communities and the stories of their collective past. Charlotte Bumgarner, the executive director of the Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway who spearheaded this project, said the organization is a non-profit that does educational, preservation, conservation and other projects along the byway. Bumgarner serves on the Colorado State Byway Commission, appointed by the governor.

The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area oversees the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway, which starts at Cumbres Pass and travels through Antonito, Romeo, Manassa, San Acacio, San Luis, Fort Garland, Blanca, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Hooper, Mosca and ends in Alamosa. There are 21 points of interest along the Byway, which marvels at the ingenuity of the early settlers of the San Luis Valley.

Stop at any of the six large ‘Caminante’ portal signs, three stand-up signs and eight low profile signs for information along the drive. Brochures and maps for Los Caminos Antiguos are available at the Alamosa Welcome Center, Conejos County Museum, San Luis Valley Museum, Great Sand Dunes Park and Preserve and the SdCNHA office at 623 Fourth Street in Alamosa.

SdCNHA would like to thank Chris Cassels and Patrick Myers/NPS for the use of their incredible photographs for this exhibit. To view more photos of the Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways exhibition at DIA, visit https://images.flydenver.com/Art-at-DIA/Temporary-Exhibits/Colorado-Byways/

To learn more about SdCNHA visit www.sdcnha.org

Above caption: Cumbres and Toltec by Chris Cassels/Casablanca Digital Media.

Below caption: Sand Dunes photo by Patrick Myers/NPS