On the Route: Connecting Downtowns + Colorado Byways

We can’t wait for IN THE GAME, April 1-4 in Grand Junction. And we know you’re excited too. This is not only a chance to network, but to learn best practices and the tools being utilized by communities around Colorado to increase their economic vitality. 

 

We asked the folks leading the IN THE GAME sessions to tell us a little bit about their session. Today, we are highlighting On the Route: Connecting Downtowns + Colorado Byways.

 

Thursday, April 2, Dine Around Lunches

12:30 to 2 p.m. 

Lenore Bates, Colorado Byways Program Manager 

Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer, HeidiTown Consulting 

Talia Siens, Colorado Byway Commission, Eastern Plains Byway Representative 

 

This will be an informational session about how byways are celebrating Colorado’s 150th birthday. Participants will learn about the Great American Road Trip, what it entails and brand new itineraries for all 26 of the Colorado Byways (and eight blog posts related to byway issues like birding trails, Junior Ranger stops, historical sites, etc.). Byway itineraries and blog posts will be on HeidiTown.com, and will go live throughout the year.

 

In step with the state’s 150th birthday, the itineraries put a great emphasis on the history along the routes, as well as birding opportunities, recreational activities, a nod to EV friendly routes and more. 

 

Our 26 byways are located all over the state, north, south, east and west, meaning that your destination is probably on or close to one or more Colorado byways. Undoubtedly, your community can benefit from this new and exciting asset. In this session we will discuss how you can incorporate this byway storytelling into your own town’s narrative.   

 

Colorado Byways has partnered with HeidiTown Consulting to write the 26 itineraries. Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer has been road tripping around the state, and writing about it for nearly two decades as the Mayor of HeidiTown.com, so she knows Colorado.  

 

“Putting these itineraries together is no joke!” says Kerr-Schlaefer, “ There’s a tremendous amount of history, culture, etc. on every byway and it’s difficult to decide what will be in each itinerary and what won’t make the cut. Only five have been written so 21 more to go!” 

 

In addition, Talia Siens will talk about byway communities that can take advantage of regional outdoor partnerships and see how collaborations can exist between byway communities. Siens brings years of experience with Colorado Byways, and specifically with Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic & Historic Byway. 

 

Thank you to Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer for providing this information on this session. 

Written by Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer, HeidiTown Consulting, LLC