When visitors and locals alike share stories about their experiences in Southwest Colorado, inevitably Mesa Verde, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad or hiking are included. Add to that list the famous San Juan Skyway, which, for some sections, is also referred to as the Million Dollar Highway.

Some people say they will never get over the San Juan Skyway’s awe-inspiring vistas, hairpin curves, or stunning fall colors. The views from atop the passes of Coal Bank, Molas, Red Mountain, Dallas Divide or Lizard Head rival landscapes around the world. Others thrive on its history, seeking new bits of information about the small mountain towns, abandoned rails or defunct mines that dot the 236-mile loop. Visitors marvel at the genius engineering feat of a paved highway that hugs the mountains. Still others enjoy the recreational fun on trails, bike routes, OHV roads and skiing that can be accessed so easily by the Skyway.

This year marks the San Juan Skyway’s 25th anniversary of being designated as a “Scenic and Historic Byway” in Colorado. The Skyway is one of Southwest Colorado’s most valuable “crown jewels.” However, after 25 years, perhaps our crown jewel has become a little tarnished. This milestone birthday is an opportunity for us to assess the Skyway’s condition, generate ideas for the future, and find ways to improve this priceless resource.

Over the past few months, meeting rooms in communities along the Skyway have been visited by diverse people voicing their input. This public outreach is being spearheaded by the Montezuma Land Conservancy, a member of the Colorado Scenic Byway Conservation Coalition. Meetings have been jointly facilitated by the Conservancy and the San Juan National Forest. An outcome report will be issued later this fall. Funding for this project is provided through a grant from the National Scenic Byways Program administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation.

In the mid-1990s, much focus was put on the San Juan Skyway and its assessed needs. Accomplishments included planning documents completed, a robust effort conducted to protect and preserve key features within the Red Mountain Mining District, interpretive signs installed and visitor centers launched. And, through funding from Greater Outdoors Colorado and other sources, many hundreds of acres of open space were voluntarily preserved through conservation easements. This work was coordinated by the Friends of the San Juan Skyway Association, Fort Lewis College (specifically retired Director Ken Francis of FLC’s Office of Community Services), counties, non-profits and many stakeholders.

Now, at this significant 25th year mark, we are asking questions: What more is to be done to protect the visitors’ experiences along the Skyway? Who will do it and how? Who will take the lead into the future?

So far, residents have not been hesitant to share ideas, including via an online survey still open. Several important issues have been repeated at the meetings, such as the presence and maintenance of restrooms at the top of Molas and Coal Bank. With Forest Service recreation budgets declining, keeping those restrooms open has been a challenge, and will continue to be. We are fortunate that San Juan County obtained a grant to keep these facilities open, at least for another year. Other ideas included developing a San Juan Skyway-wide electronic app that would educate travelers about the many diverse aspects of the byway such as historic sites, geology, tourism destinations, recreational opportunities and more. Our forests’ beetle kill was cited as an opportunity for education and interpretation because many people lack knowledge about this natural phenomenon.

Another topic discussed was the possibility of more signs encouraging slower vehicles to use pull-outs. The important role that federal, state and local governments play in the San Juan Skyway was noted. And finally, open space organizations have offered to help those landowners who want to voluntarily preserve their lands adjacent to the Skyway.

In 1989, the San Juan Skyway was designated the first Scenic and Historic Byway for Colorado. Seven years later, the Skyway was among three Colorado byways and 20 national byways to receive the inaugural federal title of an All-American Road, the highest level of designation by the federal government. The Skyway has the title of a National Forest Scenic Byway. The road is also among 11 Colorado byways designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation as America’s Byways®, which gives Colorado more national byway designations than any other state in the union.

The San Juan Skyway ties together people, geography, shared interests, communities, economies and our history. The Montezuma Land Conservancy and its San Juan Skyway partners hope that this public engagement process will result in continued community action that will improve and protect the Skyway for future generations.

If you were unable to attend any of the public meetings to offer your ideas, input about the San Juan Skyway is being gathered online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/SPSGNLQ. You may also visit the Montezuma Land Conservancy’s Web site to find additional information: www.montezumaland.org.

Jon Leibowitz is the executive director of the Montezuma Land Conservancy. Reach him at (970) 565-1664.