Colorado’s Electric Byways: Reducing Emissions and Boosting Business
Electric byways help attract sustainably minded travelers
To allow drivers to enjoy Colorado’s breathtaking scenery while minimizing their environmental impact, a collaborative effort between Colorado agencies is adding electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along the state’s Scenic and Historic Byways. Currently, 18 of Colorado’s 26 byways are electrified, with EV charging stations available at least every 100 miles.
The effort to support Colorado Electric Byways carries out an important transportation strategy from the CTO’s Statewide Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan, to expand electric vehicle infrastructure.
Statewide Collaboration to Electrify Byways
Along with the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO), the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) have come together to bring the Colorado Electric Byways to life. The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission—part of CDOT—works to preserve and enhance the byways for future generations. The commission includes representatives from state and federal agencies, including the CTO.
The CTO supports communities along the byways by helping install charging infrastructure and promoting electric byways to visitors. Additionally, the Colorado Energy Office and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs offer various grant programs for EV charging infrastructure, and CDOT provides signage for select fast-charging stations.
Benefits of Electrified Byways
While many communities initially install EV charging stations to meet local needs, electric byways also offer significant benefits to the visitor economy. Both electric vehicles and byways are growing in popularity. According to the 2023 Longwoods International Travel USA Report, 16% of vehicles used to reach a destination in Colorado are electric—double the national average. Previous research from 2017 revealed that roughly one-fifth of visitors traveled along one of the state’s Scenic and Historic Byways. Updated research is expected in 2025.
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, electric byways attract environmentally conscious travelers who value sustainability. These visitors are eager to reduce their travel impacts, respect the environment, and keep Colorado pristine. Because the byways traverse rural areas, they naturally disperse visitors across the state. EV charging stations also encourage visitors to explore and support local businesses while they wait for their vehicles to charge.
The economic impact is clear. A recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that businesses near EV charging stations in California saw an average increase in business of 1.4% in 2019 and 0.8% from January 2021 to June 2023. This increase can translate into thousands of dollars in additional revenue. Businesses closest to charging stations experienced the largest benefits, but even those located up to 500 meters (about one-third of a mile) away saw a boost.
The CTO’s marketing efforts further highlight the state’s electric byways and the communities that serve them. Colorado.com, which attracts 9.9 million potential travelers annually, features a map showing each of the state’s electric byways.
CTO media outreach has garnered significant attention for the electric byways in national outlets such as AARP, AFAR, the New York Times and the Denver Post. Last summer, the CTO hosted a freelance writer on an EV road trip along the Highway of Legends and Santa Fe Trail EV Byways, with a feature story expected in a statewide publication in 2025.
Getting Involved
While counties and municipalities often lead the installation of EV charging stations, destination management organizations (DMOs) are well-positioned to advocate for these initiatives. Visitor centers, in particular, make ideal locations for EV charging infrastructure.
If your destination is located along a Colorado byway and you’re interested in adding an EV charging station to your community, be sure to explore the Colorado Electric Byways Tourism Toolkit. This resource connects communities to essential information and outlines the steps to join this innovative statewide network.
Share Your Success Story
Does your organization or community have a destination stewardship success story to share? Please share news of your initiatives with us. Please reach out to the CTO and let us know how you’re making a difference.
