Constructed from 1929-1933, Trail Ridge Road was proposed as another scenic road bypassing Fall River Road in the hopes of concluding the “atmosphere of acrimony” that came with Colorado’s cessation of park roads. Colorado's concern ranged from a theoretical loss of state's rights to a fear that entrance fees would be charged. Losing control of the roads was also tied to a possible prohibition of future water projects. "It would be unwise and foolish," one opponent of the Park noted, "to let a monopoly-granting, fee-charging Federal Bureau like the National Park Service become the absolute czar of State-built, State-owned roads leading to and through the Rocky Mountain National Park." With a touch of melodrama, he concluded: "Abolish the Park if you wish! A rose by any other name will smell as sweet! Czarist Federal encroachment on the rights and property of States must stop!"

Not until February 16, 1929 did Colorado finally agree to cede its rights to Park roads. Soon after, on March 2nd, 1929, the federal government gladly accepted that cession. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, millions of Americans were unemployed. President Franklin Roosevelt promised a New Deal, and he created programs to put people to work. One such program was the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In Rocky Mountain National Park, young male recruits at six camps built roads, trails, and buildings. Recruits also put out wildfires, planted trees, and managed predators. It was during the 1930s, when labor was readily available, that the National Park Service built Trail Ridge Road. In 1960, a new bridge over the Big Thompson River was completed as part of Mission 66 to provide for a continuous Bear Lake Road from Trail Ridge Road to the lake. This bridge opened the present Beaver Meadows Entrance.

Credits and Sources:

“Brief Park History.” National Park Service: Rocky Mountain, Colorado. Stories. Accessed May 31, 2015. http://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/historyculture/brief.htm

“Timeline of Historic Events.” National Park Service: Rocky Mountain, Colorado. Stories. Accessed May 31, 2015. http://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/historyculture/time_line_of_historic_events.htm

“Trail Conditions.” National Park Service: Rocky Mountain, Colorado. Current Conditions. Accessed June 6, 2015. http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/trail_conditions.htm

“Trail Ridge Road.” National Park Service: Rocky Mountain, Colorado. Scenic Drives. Accessed June 6, 2015. http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/trail_ridge_road.htm