Visitation Estimates
and TrendsCorridor Management Plan |
Visitation Estimates
and Trends
Visitation Levels, 1992Visitation Levels, 1993-1996Current VisitationSurvey of Colorado Byway VisitorsVisitor Experience PlanExisting Facilities and ServicesExisting ProjectsProjects In ProgressTourism Services and Facilities
PlanGeneral GuidelinesCommerce planExisting ConditionsProposed ProjectsSign and outdoor advertising planExisting Regulatory GuidelinesExisting InventorySign Projects In ProgressProposed Sign and Outdoor Advertising PlanBack
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Visitation Estimates and TrendsVisitation Levels 1992The peak year for the number of visitors and resultant revenues collected statewide was 1992. In the four-county area in which the Santa Fe Scenic and Historic Byway is located, over $53 million in travel expenditures was generated, over $2 million in state tax receipts were collected and $1.3 million in local tax receipts were received.
| Area | Total Travel Expenditures | State Tax Receipts | Local Tax Receipts |
| Prowers County | $ 21,852,151 | $ 842,474 | $ 549,422 |
| Las Animas County | $ 20,744,906 | $ 799,786 | $ 521,583 |
| Otero County | $ 8,132,406 | $ 313,532 | $ 204,471 |
| Bent County | $ 2,901,531 | $ 111,864 | $ 42,653 |
| Four County | $ 53,630,994 | $ 2,067,656 | $ 1,318,129 |
| Total State of Colorado | $6,383,214,600 | $ 246,094,393 | $ 159,892,081 |
In 1992, revenue from tourism in southeastern Colorado was at least double that found in the northeastern part of the state. Total travel expenditures generated as well as tax receipts from the four-county region each amounted to roughly 1 % of the total for the state.
Two important events that subsequently impacted visitation in Colorado were:
1. the passage of the Bruce Amendment in 1992, which required a vote
of the people on any tax; and
2. rejection by Colorado voters of the tourism tax in November, 1993.
As a result, the State Tourism Office was closed and local tourism in the southeastern part of the state was no longer coordinated through the Southeast Colorado Tourism Board.
Visitation Levels. 1993 - 1996Tourism was negatively affected across Colorado by the dissolution of the State Tourism Board. In 1993, Colorado was ranked as the number one summer resort destination among the 50 states. In 1994, Colorado's summer resort ranking fell to 17th. Visitation to winter tourism resorts peaked between 1993 and 1994, fell in 1994 and 1995, then regained some ground in the 1996 season. This information was based on mail and telephone surveys of approximately 150 businesses at nine major ski counties and at Denver and Colorado Springs airports (Colorado Winter Tourism Indicators, The Adams Croup). Overnight pleasure trips in Colorado dropped to 17.5 million in 1995 from a peak in 1992 of 19.9 million, a decrease of 12% (Colorado Travel and Tourism Authority.)
In response to declines in visitation, local and regional efforts to market tourism were initiated. As a result, tourism indicators for both the City of Denver and the state of Colorado as a whole showed an increase in tourism activity in 1996.
As of the end of 1996, the number of visitors in the state rose 11 % from 1995, reaching 19.4 million, a figure close to the all time high level of 19.9 million in 1992.
| Area | 1995 | 1996 | % Increase |
| City of Denver | 5.3 million | 6.0 million | 13% |
| State of Colorado | 17.5 million | 19.4 million | 11% |
Increases in visitation were also evident in the City of Denver. In 1996, overnight visitors in Denver increased 13% over 1995 figures. This was the first increase in tourism in the City since 1992. Expenditures by pleasure and business visitors to Denver also rose 19% between 1995 and 1996.
Part of the increased visitation to the City of Denver has been attributed to a $2 million marketing campaign with American Express and Colorado Travel and Tourism Authority implemented in 1995. This was the first major tourism promotional campaign since 1992 and resulted in 1996 being the best year in Denver's history for hotel occupancy and room rate charges.
Records from the Colorado Welcome Centers in Trinidad and Lamar indicate that visitation at the centers fell in 1994 and has rebounded since that time to surpass levels reached in 1992. These general trends appear to mirror those experienced in other parts of Colorado.
From 1992 to 1996, the cumulative increase in the number of visitors at the welcome centers was 11 % in Trinidad and 5% in Lamar.
Trinidad Lamar
Sources: Colorado Welcome Center - Trinidad (calendar year), Colorado Welcome
Center - Lamar (July fiscal year)
Current VisitationTourism activity in 1997 appears to be down for both the state and southeastern Colorado when compared to 1996. Retail spending in Colorado for March 1997, both visitor and local activity, in restaurant and consumer spending declined by 2.1 % and 1.2% respectively from 1996 (Colorado Winter Tourism Indicators, The Adams Croup.) In addition, visitor numbers at welcome centers in southeast Colorado are down in 1997 as compared to 1996. Visitor numbers from January through August, 1997 in Trinidad show visitation was down .1% (162 persons) while in Lamar from January to July visitor numbers fell by 2% (421 persons) from the same period the previous year. Bent's Old Fort reported its current annual visitation of 37,000 is down from their 10 year average of 45,000 persons per year.
Current Visitor Estimates, 1997| Tourist Facility | Total Annual Visitors |
| Trinidad Lake State Park | 200,000 |
| Colorado Welcome Center - Trinidad | 163,961 |
| Comanche National Grassland | 40,000 - 65,000 |
| Bent's Old Fort | 37,000 |
| Colorado Welcome Center - Lamar | 32,661 |
| Big Timbers Museum | 12,600 |
| Trinidad History Museum | 7,000 |
Overall, the peak visitation period for southeastern Colorado is from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Lamar Welcome Center has the strongest activity during that time, with July as the peak month for visitors. The number of visitors at the Lamar Welcome Center ranges from 800 to 6,900 per month. Peak tourism period for the Trinidad Welcome Center is more concentrated between June and August when 50% to 60% of the annual visitation occurs. The number of visitors at the Trinidad Welcome Center varies from 4,300 per month to over 34,000 per month.
General tourism trends that Longwoods International discovered in their
1996 study for the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau are that:
1. there is a growing trend towards shorter vacations;
2. the amount of visitors staying with friends and relatives has increased;
and
3. the biggest expenditure by pleasure travelers was food, followed by
accommodations, local transportation, retail sales, recreation and sightseeing.
Survey of Colorado Byway VisitorsDuring the summer and fall of 1995, the Colorado Center for Community Development at the University of Denver at Colorado conducted a survey of visitors to twenty-one Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways. Surveys were administered by volunteers at 16 different sites, typically welcome centers. The La Junta Chamber of Commerce and Lamar Welcome Center were the survey sites selected to ascertain information about visitors along the Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway. The purpose of the survey was to learn about visitor demographics, trip profiles, visitor expenditures and visitor motivations so that byways can market and develop programs for those most likely to travel the byways. The results presented are derived from 418 completed visitor surveys from byways across the state.
Visitor DemographicsOf those responding to the survey, the majority of visitors can be characterized by the following:
Trip ProfileRespondents visiting byways were either on vacation (80%), visiting friends/relatives (7%), stopping at a rest stop (4.7%), on business (3%) or on other types of trips. The length of trips varied, however, the majority of respondents (66%) stayed for three nights or less.
Duration of Byway Trip
Source: Byway Visitor Survey, Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways
Most visitors who were surveyed indicated that this was the first time they
had visited this byway.
Number of Times Visited This Byway| Number of Times | % |
| First time | 73.6% |
| 2-3 times per year | 12.9% |
| 4-5 times per year | 3.0% |
| More than 5 times | 10.4% |
Source: Byway Visitor Survey, Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission
The average size of parties visiting a byway was 3.4 persons. The majority of persons were traveling with spouses or a family member (85.2%). Roughly 60% of those visiting byways did not have children traveling with them.
The three most frequent places persons stayed on their trip were:
The following activities were most often participated in by survey respondents:
When respondents were asked to rate the importance of reasons for visiting a byway, the top three average responses were to: view scenery, get away from demands of life and experience new things.
Visitor Motivation
All the choices for visiting byways received a rating of at least "somewhat important" with a numerical rating of over 2.0.
Existing Facilities and ServicesThe roadway passes through four counties and six municipalities along the Byway's 184-mile route. The total population within the counties is less than 56,000 persons. The remainder of the route consists of open rangeland, large rural properties and smaller communities which provide respite for the traveler. Hospitality services including rest areas, campgrounds, motels, restaurants and information centers are accessible along the roadway. A summary of these facilities and services is provided below.
The number of rest areas is limited despite the expansive 184-mile length of the Byway. There are three formal rest areas along the Byway, two of which are currently closed. There are no rest areas on Highway 350 or that portion of the route along Interstate 25 at this time. The following is a description of existing rest areas and imminent improvement projects.
Holly rest area - located approximately 0.5 mile west of the Kansas/Colorado
border. Contains one information kiosk. Repairs were required at this site
due to difficulties with sewage treatment. Improvements are being made at
the present time and the rest area is expected to be open by December, 1997.
Two wayside exhibits are planned for completion in 1998 at this rest area.
Hadley rest area - positioned between Las Animas and La Junta on the
south side of Highway 50 at the Bent/Otero County line. This rest area is
situated near the site of the proposed direct route to Bent's Old Fort.
This rest area is well-marked, provides an adequate merge lane for eastbound
traffic exiting the site and has sufficient parking for all vehicle types.
Handicapped parking and picnic facilities are provided with five covered
shelters that house two picnic tables each. There are two information kiosks
at this rest area, one of which provides information on Bent's Old Fort
and the Santa Fe Trail. Two wayside exhibits are planned for completion
in 1998 at this rest area.
Raton Pass rest area - entry point into Colorado from New Mexico on
I-25. Has an informational kiosk and a small pullout. This rest area is
closed and plans are under consideration to relocate the rest area to a
site north of Trinidad. Low wattage radio message should be available by
the end of 1997.
Pullouts are gravel or paved short distance detours off the shoulder of the main highway; existing pullouts do not contain amenities. Six pullouts are located along the Byway, with the largest concentration on the southwest portion of the route. There are no pullouts from Las Animas east to the Colorado/Kansas border. On I-25 northbound to Trinidad one mile north of the state line, a scenic overlook is located on the east side of the highway. This is a narrow, drive-through overlook with no parking spaces. In addition, an non-designated pullout is nearby on the west side of the highway, 1.75 miles north of the state line, overlooking the historic Dick Wootton Ranch. There are three unofficial pullouts between La Junta and Trinidad (20 miles west of La Junta; east side Highway 350 at County Rd 801; and east side Highway 350, 12 miles south of Otero/Las Animas County line). In Lamar, there is one designated pullout at 0.1 mile north of the Arkansas River bridge on the east side of the road.
Eight sites in the Byway corridor offer picnic facilities. Persons directly in contact with visitors were surveyed to assess which areas were most frequently requested. Of the 1 7 choices, the top three places that were most asked about by visitors were camping areas, picnic areas and museums. The majority of picnic areas along the Byway are found west of Las Animas. The following seven sites contain designated picnic areas/facilities:
Picnic Area Locations and Features| Name | Location | Amenities |
| Clarence Couch Park (a.k.a. CAVI) | Las Animas | 6 picnic tables/ 2 pit toilets |
| Trinidad Lake State Park | Trinidad | 3 group picnic areas/pavilions for 60 people |
| John Martin Reservoir | Hasty | Extensive, scattered amenities |
| Timpas Picnic Area | Highway 350 | 6 picnic tables, 3 pavilions, grills |
| Kit Carson Park | Trinidad | 1 picnic table, pavilion |
| Hadley Rest Area | La Junta/Lamar | 10 sheltered picnic tables |
| Santa Fe Plaza | La Junta | Pavilion, 1 picnic table |
| Vogel Canyon Picnic Area | South of La Junta | 3 picnic tables, grills |
With the exception of Trinidad Lake State Park and John Martin Reservoir,
amenities are relatively limited at existing picnic sites.
Seven camping areas are located along the Byway. These are:
KOA Private Campground - Lamar. Situated directly on the Santa Fe Trail
route. Offers 43 camping sites and one cabin (tent), a swimming pool, pizza,
miniature golf, dump station, electricity, bath/shower facility. Fully occupied
on major holidays such as Labor Day, Memorial Day and most of July while
at other times there are vacancies. Accepts reservations.
HDD's Private Campground - Lamar. Small private campground with minimal
facilities.
John Martin Reservoir - Hasty. Provides 65 sites for tents and RVs.
Cabins are not available. Electricity, water, baths and showers are available
until October 15 then facility closes until spring. Does not accept reservations
so occupancy is difficult to track. Summer use is high. Visitors may have
difficulty distinguishing the information office from residences or business
offices. Information center is closed on weekends. Promotion of the campground
is poor; the brochure does not sell the amenities available and or list
phone number for the facility. Improvements were made in 1997 when electricity
capacity was extended to 29 additional campsites.
Camping at Comanche National Grassland sites is permitted in parking
areas only. No designated campgrounds or facilities are available.
Trinidad Lake State Park - Trinidad. Contains 62 camp sites for large
recreation vehicles or tents. Forty-nine sites have electricity. Water is
available at communal spots. Shower house and laundry facility are provided.
Carpios Ridge Campground operates fully from April 15th through October
15th. After October 15th, only 24 sites are open. Group camping for up to
60 persons is available at Piedmont Campground. Additional amenities available
to camper's include: a fishing lake; boat ramps; ten miles of trails; Long's
Canyon Watchable Wildlife Area; and interpretive programs on weekends and
holidays. Reservations are accepted.
Cawthorn Campgrounds - Trinidad. A private RV park offering 41 pull
through spaces with water, sewer, electricity, and cable TV. It is located
on the south side of Trinidad, exit 13A, and open year round.
Derrick RV Park-Trinidad. A private RV park with 20 spaces. It offers
water, sewer, electricity, cable TV, a hot tub, showers and laundry facility.
It is open year round and is reached via exit 11.
Twenty eight motels are located along the Byway to serve visitors. New
motels have been built in Lamar (Days Inn) and Trinidad (Super 8 Motel)
in the last three years. Motels are well dispersed along the route as shown
by the following chart.
Number of Motels by Location| Area | Number |
| La Junta | 6 |
| Lamar | 10 |
| Las Animas | 2 |
| Trinidad/Las Animas County | 10 |
| Total | 28 |
There are no motels between La Junta and Trinidad on Highway 350 since there are no large towns along this portion of the Byway.
Numerous restaurants are situated along the Byway, however, choices in the type of cuisine and quality are generally limited. There is an abundance of fast food and Mexican restaurants.
Number of Restaurants by Location| Area | Number |
| La Junta | 1 |
| Lamar | 19 |
| Las Animas | 6 |
| Trinidad/Las Animas County | 23 |
| Total | 49 |
Welcome centers are typically the main sources for information about the Santa Fe National Scenic and Historic Trail. Information on the SFT is provided through a variety of media including brochures, audio tapes and videos which can be obtained at convenience stores, motels, restaurants, and the welcome centers. Three different brochures about the SFT have been produced and each county also has a promotional brochure. Brochures have been distributed through a contract with a state-wide promotional service. As a result, local resources and focus tends to be lost. Of the six existing interactive videos within the corridor, none were operational at the time this CMP was prepared. Descriptive summaries of current information centers and the availability of SFT information at each center are presented below.
Colorado Welcome Center - Trinidad. First welcome center encountered
by northbound travelers on 1-25 in Colorado. Welcome Center and Chamber
of Commerce are co-located here. Excellent supply of brochures on the region
and Colorado in general, but no information available on the Santa Fe Trail.
New kiosks are being installed at this location. New publications for the
area are being printed and will be available by December, 1997.
Colorado Welcome Center - Lamar. Welcome Center and Chamber of Commerce
are co-located at this converted railroad depot. Provides information on
Colorado in general, while focusing on southeast Colorado in particular.
Much valuable printed information on the Santa Fe Trail is available, as
well as an interactive video display. Working with the Colorado Historical
Society and the Colorado Department of Highways to install outside information
kiosks, one of which will provide information on the Santa Fe Trail.
Comanche National Grassland - La Junta. Santa Fe Trail educational programs
and guided tours are conducted for the public. Open year-round, with peak
visitation periods occurring during March-June and September-October.
Pinon Canyon Army Maneuvers site - Highway 350. Contains over 16,000
acres. Stage stop sites and information kiosks can be viewed at this site.
La Junta Chamber of Commerce - La Junta. Maintains an abundant supply
of regional brochures, including the standard Santa Fe Trail brochures.
Bent County Chamber of Commerce - Las Animas. Excellent supply of brochures,
including ones on the Santa Fe Trail. This facility also has an interactive
video display.
Existing ProjectsPreserving the quality of the visitor experience along the Byway is of paramount importance to communities along the Byway. Actions have already been initiated by many agencies and organizations to both enhance the visitor experience and mitigate the few areas where intrusions to me visitor experience exist. Some examples are described below.
Trinidad History Museum is scheduled to place signs off Interstate 25
(I-25) in 1997 to attract new visitors and direct them more easily to the
museum. In addition, the museum is restoring the Santa Fe Trail Museum building
which will increase its attraction as a destination site.
1996 ISTEA funds have been appropriated to erect three Santa Fe Trail
point of interest signs along I-25. Currently, there are no signs along
the interstate that reference the Trail.
The USFS recently installed vehicle counters at Vogel Canyon and Picket
Wire Canyon in an effort to more accurately measure visitor numbers on an
ongoing basis.
A new visitor center was constructed at John Martin Reservoir in August,
1997 by the Army Corps of Engineers. As part of the improvements, a comprehensive
multi-dimensional information program on the Santa Fe Trail was implemented.
Streetscape improvements have been constructed in the downtown centers
of Lamar, Las Animas and La Junta.
The City of Las Animas has received a historic preservation grant to
perform an assessment of its downtown historic district as part of a downtown
revitalization program.
In addition to improvements at specific sites, local communities have
adopted planning ordinances that impact the overall general quality of visitor
experiences. Specific tools included in these ordinances are:
regulation of land use and density of development;
detailed land and site planning;
control of outdoor advertising; and
county roadside weed removal.
Projects In ProgressThe following is a selection of projects proceeding at this time that will enhance the quality of visitor services.
Bent's Old Fort has proposed to build a new parking lot and relocate
a picnic area in efforts to increase accessibility of the picnic area for
visitors proposed for FY 1999.
A 17-acre rest area is scheduled to be built in 1998 on I-25, by Exit
18 (El Moro). At this time, there are no open rest areas along 1-25 from
the northern border of Las Animas County to its southern border at the Colorado/New
Mexico state line.
John Martin Reservoir is planning a 50th Celebration in 1998 in which
1,000 to 2,000 visitors are expected to attend.
Tourism Services and Facilities
PlanThe following guidelines and priorities were adopted by participants in the development of the CMP as recommendations for tourism services and facilities. The focus of these priorities is to improve existing facilities. Future commercial growth, however, could be accommodated with infill of existing commercially zoned areas while not affecting the intrinsic qualities of the Byway. Specific strategies are listed in the subsequent table.
General Guidelines1. Efforts should be focused on improving existing facilities.
2. Better links should be created between visitors and existing facilities.
3. Utilization of existing services and facilities should be increased.
4. Diversity should be provided in the type and location of services for
visitors.
Proposed Tourism Services and Facilities| Project | Priority |
| Rest Areas/Pullouts/Picnic Areas | |
| Open Raton Pass rest area - Strong support shown for improving existing rest areas. Important to re-open since it has facilities and is an entry point into Colorado from the south. | High |
| Open Holly rest area - Provides access for visitors who enter Colorado from the east. | High |
| Add rest areas along State Highway 350 - Extensive length of the Byway requires additional rest stops for visitors. | High |
| Improve amenities/signs-Clarence Couch Park (CAVI) -Add active areas such as barbeque pits and a volleyball court to increase usage. Park is frequently overlooked since there is no advance notice along the highway. | High |
| Provide bottled water at visitor sites - Access to water is difficult for travelers at most points along the SFT and is an important amenity to provide. | High |
| Add picnic area-Bloom Hill town site - Addition of a picnic table would increase appreciation for the old foundations immediately adjacent to existing pullout. | Medium |
| Campgrounds | |
| Expand John Martin Reservoir campgrounds - Improvements to access existing visitor service facilities as well as more camping sites. | High |
| Designate camping sites - Comanche National Grassland - Given the popularity of camping, design appropriate areas for camping in lieu of camping in parking lots. Consider fire danger in development of camping areas. | High |
| Add beach and camp sites -Trinidad Lake State Park - Demand for additional sites if more water becomes available. | High |
| Add other campgrounds - Less desirable to provide new campgrounds. Highest priority to better utilization of existing resources. More sites may be needed in the future. | Medium |
| Motels | |
| Increase number - Existing quantity appears adequate with recent renovations and two new motels. | Low |
| Restaurants | |
| Diversify type and quality - Travelers need wider range of cuisine and better quality of restaurant options. Provide training programs for existing businesses to sensitize them toward quality issues. | High |
| Geographic dispersal - Adequate restaurant locations along segments of the Byway. | Low |
| Information/Welcome Centers | |
| Hospitality and training on Santa Fe Trail - Provide additional training to capture a higher percentage of existing travelers. Availability of information on the Santa Fe Trail has been inconsistent. Local service providers were generally not knowledgeable about the Trail and its resources. | High |
| Dedicated display racks - Dedicated information on the Santa Fe Trail ensures information is seen more easily and promotes complimentary services. | High |
| Distribution of brochures - Service providers who were surveyed indicated that a better distribution of brochures was one of the top two ways to improve visitation to the SFT. High | High |
| Survey visitors regularly - Replicate survey system for welcome centers or other visitor facilities. Infrastructure for surveying visitors is in place since the University of Colorado conducted a Byway survey in 1995. | Medium |
Commerce PlanExisting ConditionsAs described in Section 3, Physical Description of the Roadway, the Byway travels four highways: a 13-mile stretch of Interstate 25 that provides passage in a north/south direction; State Highways 350 and 160, secondary highways that run northeast/southwest for roughly 82 miles; and State Highway 50, a primary highway running east-west for about 89 miles. These are the main roads which handle commerce-related traffic in southeastern Colorado. Commercial businesses and visitor services are conveniently located immediately along the Byway. Rural areas between municipalities along State Highways 350, 160 and 50 often have local agricultural traffic, however, there are few areas where uses conflict.
Opportunities to retrace the SFT route by hiking, bicycle or horse have been very limited to date. The narrowness of the road shoulder, high traffic speed and occasional steeply sloped right-of-way make State Highways 350 and 50 unsuitable for families with children on bicycles and/or horseback. Experienced touring bicyclists would find the ride only moderately challenging and safe relative to other touring areas around the state. Opportunities for hiking are more limited given the sheer distances between sites.
A variety of trails, therefore, are desired to encourage diversity and to accommodate alternative multiple uses. Since the SFT was fairly wide and discernible trail rut sites are limited, ample land is available for horseback riding, mountain biking or hiking near or along the Santa Fe Trail. Resources are capable of withstanding this type of use in the near term.
Each highway is described in more detail below.
Interstate 25Interstate 25 is the major north-south highway along the front range of the Rocky Mountains; it is also the only north-south interstate highway in Colorado. This segment of 1-25 extends between Trinidad and the Colorado/New Mexico border at Raton Pass.
Interstate 25 access to Colorado via Raton Pass is the second busiest access to the state, with an estimated 270,981 vehicles per month as of July, 1997. Its high traffic volume includes all types of commercial and recreational vehicles. The right-of way is very narrow over much of this segment. Pedestrians and horses are prohibited on the highway yet bicycles are allowed since there are no alternative routes over Raton Pass. The highway is occasionally closed to vehicle traffic at Raton Pass due to severe winter weather.
Highways 350 and 160 between Trinidad and La JuntaThis two-lane rural roadway was recently re-surfaced and has a posted speed of 65 miles an hour. Traffic volume along this roadway is light. Even though a narrow shoulder exists over most of this segment of road, the sight line is good and stopping on the roadside is possible. Although there are no designated pullouts, several informal pullouts can be found. This road can accommodate increased vehicle traffic with little difficulty. The roadway connects with downtown Trinidad, which may result in occasional traffic congestion.
Highway 50 - La Junta to eastern Colorado BorderHighways 350 and 50 meet at a junction in La Junta. The La Junta commercial district is heavily traveled by a mix of commercial and private vehicles. High traffic volume and the absence of road shoulders makes it virtually impossible to stop on the roadside in La Junta's commercial district. Many travelers from the metro-Denver/Colorado Springs/Pueblo areas gain access to the SFT corridor via Highway 50 at La Junta.
Las Animas is the next commercial center visitors encounter while traveling
east on Highway 50. Las Animas has essential visitor services. Local traffic
is limited given the town's population of roughly 2,800 persons. Lamar,
located further east, is a significant junction for commerce with 50% of
in-bound traffic consisting of trucks. It is estimated that 1,000 trucks
per day proceed from Highway 50 south to Highway 287. Holly is the closest
town to the Colorado/Kansas border and it provides some services for travelers.
General GuidelinesSince an overriding goal of the CMP is to adhere to NPS specifications, the following commerce guidelines incorporate NPS requirements as well as recommendations developed through public input.
1. All new development should include provisions for safe routes for
visitors.
2. Long range plans for pedestrians, bicycles, and horses should be developed
so that uses are compatible.
Hiking, horseback riding, and wagons may usually be allowed within sight
of one another. Horseback riding and wagon use may be allowed on the same
trail, however, steep terrain could be a reason for separating the uses.
Horseback riding and hiking may share the same trail in low use areas.
Automobiles and bicycles may sometimes share the same route depending
on safety.
3. Road maintenance schedules should be established by appropriate agencies, especially for peak visitation seasons.
| Project | Priority |
| Add warning signs regarding agricultural traffic/conflicting uses - Provide notice to travelers from outside the area about potential slow traffic vehicles. Notify persons about safety concerns where the physical roadway or volume of traffic may cause conflicts. | High |
| Add pullouts or passing lanes - Pull off areas on the highway in certain high tourism areas, such as highway 194 near Bent's Old Fort. High | High |
| Promote access to Santa Fe Trail at La Junta Junction of Highways 50 and 350 - Along highly visible areas where traffic merges near the Santa Fe Trail to increase awareness of the Trail and capture a greater portion of existing traffic. | High |
| Provide bicycle racks and horse trailer parking - Encourage alternative modes of travel along the Trail. | High |
Sign and Outdoor Advertising
PlanCreating and maintaining signs to preserve and promote the intrinsic qualities of the Byway and direct travelers to its resources are significant components of the Corridor Management Plan. All regulatory, directional and informational signs are controlled by regulations established by the National Park Service, Colorado Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration. Additional limitations by local ordinances are permitted.
Existing Regulatory GuidelinesMarkers
The use of markers is restricted based on the ownership of the land. In the event the trail crosses land administered by federal agencies, markers are erected and maintained by the managing agency in accordance with standards established by the Secretary of the Interior. When the trail crosses non-federal land, agencies and private land owners who cooperate receive uniform markers under cooperative agreements. Markers are maintained according to those agreements. No markers would be installed on privately owned land without the consent of the owners. In instances where the trail extends across cultivated or other developed land, markers should be located at the edges of these areas or in a way that will not interfere with the established uses of the property.
The National Park Service is authorized to accept the donation of trail markers manufactured to its standards and to accept funds to manufacture these signs. The recommended trail marker symbol or logo must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration and will be consistent with that used by the National Park Service.
The Santa Fe Trail Association has a new program regarding marking non-certified sites on the SFT. This organization has an agreement with the National Park Service that ensures there is no infringement with the designated logo.
Signs
Auto tour route signs are manufactured, installed and maintained according to Colorado Department of Transportation specifications. Directional signs must be provided by state or local highway departments.
Colorado Department of TransportationRoadside advertising on state highways and/or scenic byways in Colorado is governed by state statutes. In general, no new billboards or off-premise signs which are visible from the highway are permitted along Scenic Byways. Only official signs installed by cities or counties are exceptions to the new sign rule (Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) 43-1-403 (4), (13) and (14)).
Only the Department of Transportation is permitted, without written approval, to erect or maintain any advertising device located within the right-of-way of any state highway including streets within cities, counties and incorporated towns. The most pertinent state statute related to advertising along scenic byways is C.R.S. 43-1-419. The department may issue permits, rules, regulations pertaining to the erection, administration and maintenance of tourist-oriented directional signs which would also be compatible with federal requirements. Specific informational signs may be combined with private business signs contingent on the department's approval of the business signs and that businesses pay for the construction and installation of signs.
LocalLocal municipalities and counties have zoning powers to establish more strict limitations or controls on signs and billboards within their jurisdiction as long as those regulations do not jeopardize the state's receipt of its portion of federal highway funds. Often, coordination for sign production, installation and maintenance is needed between federal, state and local agencies. Volunteer sign and marker committee members of the Bent's Fort Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail Association have been active supporters of sign enforcement and opportunities for quality promotion of the Trail.
Existing InventoryCurrently, standard Santa Fe Trail signs along the Byway consist of a metal pole with two signs: the Auto Tour Route sign with the National Park Service's Santa Fe Trail logo with the ox and prairie schooner and the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway sign. Limestone markers are placed along the actual trail route. There are few commercial signs along the route. Most signs are on the premises of existing businesses for identification. Signs are permitted in commercially zoned areas at the place of business.
The location of existing signs and markers is described according to the five segments of the corridor previously delineated under Section 2, Physical Description. The approximate number of signs and markers over the entire Mountain Route is as follows:
Santa Fe Trail/Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway Signs - 43
Point of interest/miscellaneous signs - 27
Trail marker, plaque or statue - 41
There are essentially no signs that provide advance warnings regarding DAR markers. The number of informational signs which direct auto tour route users to local sites or facilities is limited.
Signs and Markers by Byway Segment| Highway location | SFT/CSB signs | Average miles per SFT/CSB sign | Point of interest/ misc. sign | Trail marker/ plaque/ statue | Trail crossing or junction |
| Highway 50 between Kansas/Colorado border and Lamar | 6 DAR markers |
Fort Union-Granada Road | |||
| Highway 50 between Lamar and Las Animas | Madonna of the Trail, 7 DAR markers |
East of Las Animas | |||
| Highway 50 between Las Animas and La Junta | 4 DAR markers |
||||
| Highways 350 & 1 60 between La Junta and Trinidad | Kit Carson, Columbian Hotel plaque, 13 DAR markers, limestone markers |
Iron Springs Multiple crossings | |||
| Interstate Highway 25 between Trinidad and Colorado/New Mexico border | 3 DAR markers |
Multiple crossings | |||
| Total |
Highway 50 between the Kansas/Colorado border and LamarHighway 50 between Lamar and Las AnimasHighway 50 between Las Animas and La juntaHighway 350 between La junta and TrinidadInterstate Highway 25 between Trinidad and the Colorado New Mexico borderSign Projects In ProgressFunding for 30 interpretive wayside exhibits has been appropriated from ISTEA grants. The following list indicates the location of the exhibits along the Byway. Those projects in Phase 1 will be completed by the end of 1997 while Phase II projects are expected to be finished in 1998.
Location |
Wayside Exhibits |
Phase |
| Colorado Welcome Center: Trinidad | Install 1 | 1 |
| Interstate-25, 1 mile north of NM border | Install 3 | 1 |
| Holly rest stop | Install 2 | 2 |
| Colorado Welcome Center: Lamar | Install 2 | 2 |
| John Martin Reservoir | Install 1 | 2 |
| Boggsville | Install 2 | 2 |
| Connector Road Park | Install 1 | 2 |
| Bent's Old Fort | Install 2 | 2 |
| Forest Service Office | Install 2 | 2 |
| Santa Fe Railroad Plaza (La Junta) | Install 2 | 2 |
| Hole-In-The-Rock site | Install 2 | 2 |
| Thatcher | Install 2 | 2 |
| Hoehne Turnoff (or Model) | Install 2 | 2 |
| Exit 18 (El Moro) | Install 5 and audio message repeater | 2 |
| Trinidad Lake State Park | Install 1 and 1 indoor, 3- dimensional interactive exhibit. |
2 |
Total |
30 |
Proposed Sign and Outdoor Advertising
Plan
According to the survey conducted of service providers who have direct contact with visitors, the most frequently suggested means of improving visitation and enjoyment of the sites on the Santa Fe Trail was to install additional signs on the highway. Given that there are relatively few directional signs along the auto tour route to historical or certified sites and at times the distance to designated sites from the highway is not indicated, enhancing the sign program should positively impact visitation.
General GuidelinesSigns should keep the overall character, scale and function of the area
in which they are erected while also conveying a sense of community and
pride in the Santa Fe Trail. The following are general assumptions for the
sign plan that were derived from the public process.
1. Design should be clear and legible to the intended visitor.
2. Format of signs should be consistent in terms of color, lettering and
logos.
3. Signs should be installed in areas where safety is an issue (narrow roads,
shoulders, bridges).
4. Signs should act as a safeguard for and assure visibility of the region's
intrinsic resources.
5. Routine maintenance schedules should be adopted by appropriate agencies
to repair or replace damaged signs.
Proposed Sign and Outdoor Advertising Plan| Project | Priority |
| Add advance signs - DAR markers | High |
| Add advance sign -John Martin Reservoir | High |
| Add advance sign - Clarence Couch Park (CAVI) | High |
| Add distance sign - Sierra Vista Overlook | High |
| Add advance sign - Madonna of Trail | High |
| Install on-site sign - Lamar Visitor Center | High |
| Add directional signs - Trinidad Welcome Center | High |
| Add Trail crossing signs | High |
| Add Santa Fe National Historic Trail sign & marker descriptions -Sierra Vista Overlook | High |
| Install 20 wayside exhibits and 30 point of interest signs along highway to correlate with day trips. | High |
| Add informational signs on I-25 | High |
| Review and adopt sign codes | High |
| Relocate SFT/CSB signs to increase visibility - Las Animas & La Junta commercial areas | Medium |
| Review other byway sign programs | Low |
In some locations, in particular the commercial areas in Las Animas and La junta, the abundance of business and highway signs make it difficult to locate Santa Fe Trail related signs.