The Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs photographer Jim Steinberg may be in Wisconsin this week, but he is making quite an impression at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

That’s where Steinberg’s fifth book, “Colorado Scenic Byways: Taking the Other Road,” is gaining an influential audience. In Steinberg’s photographs and the writing of Salida author Susan Tweit, the book examines Colorado through the lens of its 25 designated scenic byways.

When the book found its way in front of Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, he requested 30 copies. Ritter distributed the books as an official gift to the other Democratic governors gathered in Denver.

“It does a great job capturing Colorado,” Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer said Thursday. “It’s a great souvenir for people to take away from here and hopefully entices them to come back.”

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade requested 120 copies of its own to distribute as official gifts to foreign dignitaries, and the book also has been delivered to the biggest names in Denver this week.

“We did make sure that both the Obamas and the Clintons got signed, personal copies,” Steinberg said.

Steinberg made a personal trip to Denver last week to deliver Ritter copies of the book.

“He said, quite simply, ‘This is quite an accomplishment, and I hope you’re very proud of it,’” Steinberg said. “Frankly, I could have spent the entire morning there. Everyone wanted to chat about it.”

Steinberg said he thinks the reason his book, a two-volume set, has so impressed people is because it is not only a collection of pictures, but also a road atlas, a travel guide and a historical account of all five regions of the state.

“It’s something that really shows off the whole state of Colorado at its best,” Steinberg said. “As far as I know, I think it’s the first work that examines in-depth the entire state. I drove 45,000 miles in two and a half years putting this together. It is not just a pretty-picture, coffee-table book. It’s very useful. It is comprehensive and in-depth.”

Jennifer Stoddard, operations manager at Steinberg’s Portfolio Publications in Steamboat, said an official signing for the book in Steamboat is Sept. 5 at Off the Beaten Path on Ninth Street.