Commission member Angela and collaborators told the San Miguel County Open Space Commission on Sept. 22 that they have begun a coordinated inventory of the San Juan Skyway corridor to document scenic character, signage condition and rehabilitation needs.

Angela said she and John Montrowski completed several dry runs and that the broader work would divide the Skyway into logical visual or geographic sections for consistent documentation, with teams assigned to drive each section and answer a common set of questions. "We started Lizard Head, for instance, that to the roundabout is probably one (section)," she said, listing sections that run from Lizard Head through Rico, Ouray, Silverton and Durango.

The goal is to gather a consistent, documented baseline that can support grant requests, visitor-information improvements and coordinated work with agencies such as CDOT and the U.S. Forest Service. Angela said the byway is a large corridor with differing local capacities and that a systematic inventory would help prioritize projects and identify partners.

Commissioners discussed seeking support from county commissioners and regional tourism and transportation partners and noted state-level byway coordination and a possible proclamation tied to statewide anniversary events. Angela said she would recruit local volunteers and county partners to finish inventories for assigned sections before October if possible, with the alternative of completing the work next spring.

No formal county action was taken; commissioners encouraged coordination and requested updates as sections are documented and priorities emerge.