Colorado 82 between Twin Lakes and Aspen has been designated as part of the federal government’s National Scenic Byway System.
The gorgeous, and hair-raising, road traverses over the 12,095-foot Independence Pass. It also passes by the ghost town of Independence.
The 38-mile section of Colorado 82 was given the designation Friday in Washington, D.C., at a reception hosted by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.
Two years ago, the road had been added to Colorado’s “Top of the Rockies” Scenic Byway system.
The FHWA conference also included naming a portion of Colorado’s Lariat Loop from Evergreen through Morrison to Golden as a national scenic byway.
Mark Fuller, director of the Independence Pass Foundation, said the designation will include roughly a $100,000 grant to be used for planning purposes. Mike McPhee, The Denver Post
