Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway recently conducted a Photo Contest to celebrate 33 years of being designated a state byway. Gold Belt Tour was one of the first five byways designated by the state of Colorado back in 1989. The byway is 131 miles long and features amazing scenic vistas and fantastic historical features. The route travels through five communities and two counties and highlights four main roads (Shelf, Phantom Canyon, High Park and Teller One). A non-profit association coordinates the educational, conservation, preservation and promotion of the region and was proud to sponsor the ‘TREASURES OF THE GOLD BELT” Photo Contest.

The byway received forty-five entries for the contest which were categorized into four of the byway Goals: Beautification, Conservation, Cultural Heritage, and Recreation. Kevin Cundiff, Executive Director at the Fremont County Center for the Arts served as our judge. We are proud to announce the winners. Beautification: Lowell Frango; Conservation, Michelle Rozell; Recreation, Scott Anderson, and Cultural Heritage; Jerry Cavanaugh. Michelle Rozell’s wonderful photo of Shelf Road from the South was then picked Overall Winner. The contest also included a People’s Choice award, and a super shot of the Adaline Bridge of Phantom Canyon Road was selected, Michelle Abercrombie submitted this photo

The photos will be on display around the region starting at Best Western in Canon City, Gold Camp Café in Cripple Creek, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, Bean Pedaler in Canon City and Colorado Jeep Tours office in Canon City. We hope you stop by and see the wonderful photos. They will be moving around the byway for a while, watch for future locations that you can view the wonderful photographs. After their display we will gift them to the winning photographers.

Special Thanks goes out the byway community for donating prizes that encourages our winners to travel the byway while visiting the businesses along the way. Best Western (Canon City), Echo Canyon Rafting, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, Florissant Fossil Quarry, You Scream Emporium, Canon City, Gold Camp Café Cripple Creek, Bean Pedaler Canon City, City on the Hill Coffee Shop Canon City, Lowell Thomas Museum, Victor CO, Cripple Creek District Museum, Old Homestead House Museum Cripple Creek, …. And the Byway Association threw in Gas money.

A very very special Thank you to DARE Print & Sign Shop in Canon City for taking the winning photos and doing wonderful Canvas Prints that will be displayed around the region and then giving to the winning artists, you truly made the contest special. Another Thank you to Sagentic Web Design for getting the contest up and running on our website and all the guidance given.