Narrative
The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway- Mountain Branch is located in Southeast Colorado and spans a 184 mile corridor from the Kansas border southwesterly to the New Mexico border. This region is under served, culturally diverse and has very limited access to financial and organizational resources. Its gateway cities are in Lamar and Trinidad. We are blessed with two Colorado Welcome Centers on our Byway in each of the gateway locations. Our marketing efforts include the sites, trails and communities of Holly, Lamar, Las Animas, La Junta and some sites which are not directly on the Byway but have a connection to our Byway story and heritage of the Santa Fe Trail like Sand Creek, Ludlow, Trinidad Lake State Park, the Springfield southern section of Comanche National Grassland. Since its conception, the Byway steering committee has managed many interpretive signage projects throughout the Byway and locations which are in the Byway impact area with the assistance of sponsoring entities including, Colorado Tourism Office, Colorado Historical Society, Colorado Scenic Byway Program, National Scenic Byway Program, Southeast Colorado Economic Development, Trinidad Economic Development, Council of Governments, Trinidad Tourism Board, US Forest Service, National Parks Service, local Byway historical societies and sites of interest. With the assistance of the above partners and Byway stakeholders, cities and counties we attained designation as a Colorado Scenic Byway in 1987, achieved National Historic Trail status in 1992 and National Scenic Byway designation in June 9, 1998.
The Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail of Colorado is defined as such because of its ties to the heritage of our Nation as one of the great historic trails of the westward expansion. The Byway parallels the Santa Fe Trail, which served as a trade route between Missouri and the Mexican frontiers from 1821 to 1880. Traders, miners, military, and settlers all used this route in the settlement and exploration of the west. Even during the Civil War the area saw action as Colorado volunteers fought against Confederate troops. With the coming of the railroad, the Santa Fe Trail entered a new phase of its history.
The Byway is one of a distinct collection of America’s Byways containing unique cultural, historical, recreational, archaeological, natural qualities which are unlike any other in the nation. We are funded by the National Scenic Byway program through competitive grants process and these funds are distributed through CDOT State Scenic Byways Program. Our accountability is includes local, state and national entities.
Working together, partners and the Byway steering committee placed interpretive signage at key visitor ready locations throughout the 184 mile Mountain Branch Corridor of the Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway. Among the signage projects completed are the El Corazon de Trinidad National Historic district trail in Trinidad, Purgatoire River Trail, Trinidad Lake State Park, along I‑25 on Raton Pass, along Highway 350 and Highway 50 for the Santa Fe Trail Auto Tour at Model, Timpas, Iron Spring and Sierra Vista, Bents Old Fort, Boggsville Historic Site, Pinon Canyon Army Manuever site, El Moro Rest Area, . Our original interpretive plan maps out our plans in phases. Our current plan is revised each year to accommodate new Byway inventory of National importance. Through the years the Byway has worked with other entities to establish a Santa Fe Trail presence at our many visitor centers through development of brochures and marketing items which tell our story. Programs began in 1987 and have continued on through today. The Byway Organization is a grass roots organization with memberships throughout the Byway region. We received our own 501C3 status from the IRS in September 2005.
Visitors today follow the route traveled by caravans of traders. View existing historic sites, including trading posts (Bent's Old Fort), stage stops, graves and ruins. Discover an undisturbed, pristine landscape while observing a wide diversity of wildlife habitats. Archaeological sites along the byway include pictographs, petroglyphs, Native American teepee rings, fire circles and the longest continuous dinosaur tracks in North America. The culture of the Santa Fe Trail has been shaped by the many people that have traveled along this historic American Road. The byway has many signs of Mexican influence, as well as the impact of a variety of other people. The tradition of the county fair and local rodeos can be found all along this route, and community celebrations highlight a unique mix of our cultures.
Vision of the Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Mountain Branch Program
To create a distinctive collection of treasured places to visit on the Santa Fe Trail and their stories.
Mission
To provide resources to byway communities in creating a unique travel experience and enhanced local quality of life through efforts to preserve, protect, interpret and promote the intrinsic qualities of the Santa Fe Trail.
Overview
The Santa Fe Trail will be marketed as one of America’s Byways. Our major challenge is to market our unique road to seven different target audiences:
Primary audiences:
1. Current Byways travelers
2. Potential travelers
3. The media
4. Potential corporate sponsors and partners
Secondary audiences:
5. Program partners:
USDA Division of Wildlife : John Koshak, Watchable Wildlife Coordinator/ SE Region, Colorado Division of Wildlife, 4255 Sinton Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80907, Phone: 719-227-5221, Email: john.koshak@state.co.us
USFS- Comanche National Grassland: Michelle N. Stevens, Heritage and Recreation Programs Manager, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, 1420 East Third Street, La Junta, CO 81050, Phone: 719.383.4356, email: michellestevens@fs.fed.us
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site: Rick Wallner, Chief of Interpretation, phone: (719) 383-5024, email: rick_wallner@nps.gov
Bent's New Fort- Brad Semmons, owner, "COUNTRY ACRES" <rooms@lamarcountryacres.com>
Koshare Indian Museum, Director, Susie.Sarlo@ojc.edu
Sand Creek Massacre Site, alexa_roberts@nps.gov
Army Corps of Engineers, don.c.headlee@spa02.usace.army.mil
Otero Museum, oteromuseum@centurytel.net
Amache Preservation Inc., amache@usa.com
Trinidad Lake State Park: Heath Kehm- Trinidad Lake State Park Manager, email: heath.kehm@state.co.us, 719-846-6951
John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bob Shade- John Martin Reservoir State Park Manager 970-630-2692 , email: bob.shade@state.co.us
Boggsville Historic Site: Richard Carrillo, Post Office Box 68, Las Animas, Colorado 81054,
Telephone/Fax No. (719) 456-1358, cuartelejo@centurytel.net
Trinidad History Museum, Colorado Historical Society, Paula Manini, Director, Post Office Box 377, Trinidad, CO 81082, Telephone: 719-846-7217, paula.manini@state.co.us
Colorado Welcome Center Trinidad: Tara Marshal, Executive Director, tara.marshall@trinidad.co.gov 719-846-9512
Colorado Welcome Center Lamar: Judy Douglass, Executive Director, 719.336.4379
lamarwc@bresnan.net
Scenic Byways Program Coordinator, Lenore Bates, Colorado Department of Transportation, Shumate Building, 4201 East Arkansas, Denver, CO 80222, 303-757-9786, e-mail: Lenore.Bates@dot.state.co.us
America’s Byways, Patricia S. McNally, Marketing & Communications Director, Phone: 1-800-4BYWAYS, ext. 4, Phone: 202-366-9766, Email: pmcnally@byways.org or Angel Crane angel@byways.org
South Central Council of Governments, 719-845-133 ext 217
Prowers County Commissioner, ctyadmin@prowerscounty.net
Bent County Development Foundation, Tandy Parrish, Executive Director, 332 Amb. Thompson Blvd., Las Animas, CO 81054, 719-456-0452, bcdf@bentcounty.org
Baca County Economic Development Executive Director, Verlin Hopkins, hopkinsfam@rural-com.com
Trinidad & Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce : Kim Schultz, Executive Director/CEO, phone 719-846-9285, kimschultz1@comcast.net
La Junta Chamber of Commerce- 719-384-7411
Las Animas Chamber of Commerce, 719-456-0453
Lamar Chamber of Commerce: Chana Reed, Office Manager, 719.336.4379, lamarchamber@bresnan.net
Colorado Preservation, Inc. , Survey Coordinator, Abbey Christman, 333 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 300, Denver, CO 80204, 303.893.4260, achristman@coloradopreservation.org
ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) Patrick Mundus, Mundus Bishop Design, Inc., 333 West Colfax Avenue, # 350, Denver, CO 80204, T (303) 477-5244, ext. 25
Jesse D. Silverstein, Executive Director, Colorado Brownfields Foundation, 303-962-0940 or email Info@ColoradoBrownfieldsFoundation.org
CDOT Hwy. 50 Project, Mr. Dan Jepson, Cultural Resource Section Manager, Environmental Programs Branch, Colorado Department of Transportation, 4201 E. Arkansas Ave., Shumate Bldg., Denver, CO 80222, (303)757-9631, Daniel.Jepson@dot.state.co.us
Colorado Historical Society, Rebecca Laurie, Public Relations Director, Rebecca.Laurie@chs.state.co.us
Daughters of the American Revolutions, DAR Santa Fe Trail Chapter, Roberta Cordova, 719-846-7721, rscordova@mindspring.com
Trinidad Historical Society, Jane Barker, stnmansion@coyotenet.net
Otero County Administrator, Donna Rohde , drohde@oterogov.org
Community Technical Assistance Program, Diana Laughlin, Colo Dept of Local Affairs & CSU Extension, Union Depot, 132 W. B St., Ste. 260, Pueblo, CO 81003-3458, Phone: 719-545-9393
Canyons and Plains/SECORT- Southeast Colorado Regional Tourism Group: Kathryn S. Finau, KSF Strategic Services, 1840 W. Amb. Thompson Blvd., Las Animas, CO 81054, 719-469-8818, ksfinau@rural-com.com Canyons and Plains-Jeanne Fenter Chairperson - Southeast Colorado Regional Heritage Taskforce, Inc. 421 Main St., Fowler, CO 81039, 719-826-2060 or 719-688-5026 (mobile)
Trinidad Tourism Board, Pat Patrick, Patjakepat@aol.com
National Scenic Byways Online, Patricia Kiesel, Information Specialist, Utah State University, patricia@byways.org , Adrianne McBride, National Scenic Byways Online, adrianne@byways.org, (435)797-8787
Colorado Tourism Ambassador Program, Erik Trujillo, TAP@capstonegroupllc.com
Colorado State Parks , Scott Babcock, AICP, Strategic Planning Program Manager, 1313 Sherman St., Room 618, Denver, Colorado 80203, Office: 303-866-3203 x306, Wendy Newman (wendy.newman@yahoo.com)
Trinidad-Las Animas County Economic Development, (719) 846-9412, email at ed@tlac.net
HARP Foundation, Margo Hatton-Wolf, Development Director, The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo, 200 W. 1st Street; Suite 312, Pueblo, Colorado 81003, 719.295.7238, margo@puebloharp.com
Colorado Preservation Inc., Abbey Christman, Survey Coordinator, 333 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 300 Denver, CO 80204 303-893-4260, achristman@coloradopreservation.org
South Central Council of Governments, Pete Frasier, 300 Bonaventure, Trinidad, CO 81082, 719-845-1133.
Scenic Highway of Legends, Debra Malone, 719-846-7217 debram@gojade.org
Pioneer Historical Society, Las Animas Colorado, Kathleen Tomlin, 719-456-2948, htomlin123@centurytel.net
Archaeological Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 902, Albuquerque, NM 87108, 505-266-1540.
Long Distance Trail Division of the National Park Service, Steve Burns Chávez Landscape Architect National Park Service National Trails System Office-Santa Fe PO Box 728 2968 Rodeo Park Drive West Santa Fe NM 87504 (505) 988-6737 (505) 986-5214 fax steve_burns@nps.gov www.nps.gov and Andrea Sharon, Interpretation, 505 988-6842, Andrea_Sharon@nps.gov
Big Timbers Museum, Kathy Stanton, Lamar, CO, 719-336-2472, bigtimbers@prowerscounty.net
La Junta Economic Development, 1802 Colorado, La Junta, CO 81050, 719-384-6965, Ron.Davis@ojc.edu
6. Public officials
7. Businesses along the Byways and their employees
Goals
This marketing plan spells out six goals, which will be achieved through research-based
advertising in media, through public relations, and through a host of other brand-building
efforts.
Goal #1
Achieve an increase of 20% in overall familiarity with the program among consumers.
Goal #2
Aggressively pursue partners and sponsorship opportunities to augment the budget and to build brand identity through borrowed equity.
Goal #3
Create a brand presence on the website (www.santafetrailco.com)
Goal #4
Establish a stronger presence within the travel industry through outreach and education.
Goal #5
Build awareness and understanding of our marketing program and brand building concepts within the byway community
Goal #6
Expand the research base.
Goal #7
Develop more effective marketing relationships with the byway stakeholders.
The ultimate objective of this plan is to co-ordinate a total brand-building effort, with the
media plan and the public relations plan working in concert to maximize our impact.
This plan is a fluid document that will be reviewed and updated on a yearly basis to
ensure that it is as dynamic as the roads it represents.
Overview of Marketing Goals, Strategies, Tactics and Measuring our Success
Goal #1
Achieve an increase of 20% in overall familiarity with the program among consumers.
Strategies
Tactics
Measures of effectiveness
Conduct awareness research. Track calls, inquiries and website visits against traditional and online media insertions and PR efforts. Keep an ongoing chart correlating media activity and consumer response. Utilize the Americas Byways Program tool to determine long term economic impact of our Byway program to our region.
Goal #2
Aggressively pursue sponsorship opportunities to augment the budget and to build brand identity through borrowed equity.
Strategies
Tactics
Measures of effectiveness
Make significant contacts with at least 4 potential partners. Obtain partnership commitments that will augment advertising budget by 30%.
Goal #3
Create a brand presence on the website (www.santafetrailco.com)
Strategies
Tactics
Measures of effectiveness
Track activity levels before and after each phase of development. Track visitor comments before and after each phase. Track sponsorships of particular pages, web banners and special ads which offer merchants a venue for advertising.
Goal #4
Establish a stronger presence within the travel industry through outreach and education.
Strategies
Tactics
Measures of effectiveness
Clippings of articles in newspapers, magazines, print outs of web articles will help us measure our success. Amount of tour bookings will help monitor our success.
Goal #5
Build awareness and understanding of marketing program and brand building concepts within byway communities.
Strategies
Tactics
Measures of effectiveness
Partnership co-op advertising participation will measure our success. Participation in Byway events will also help measure our success.
Goal #6
Expand the research base.
Strategies
Tactics
Measures of effectiveness
Offer mechanism for self administered surveys. Track participation. Compile and share results.
Goal #7
Develop more effective marketing relationships with the Byway stakeholders and organizations.
Strategies
Tactics
Measures of effectiveness
Participation in our marketing co-op program will determine our success.