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Location: South Western Slope
Length*: 23.43mi
S End: New Mexico border south of Redmesa, connecting
with NM 170 (link to Steve Riner's site)
N End: Jct US 160 north of Hesperus
Counites: La Plata
Places: Redmesa, Kline, Fort Lewis, Hesperus
Annual Average Daily Traffic (2008):
- 1900 at New Mexico border
- 2500 north of CR 134
- 2000 at US 160
Guide:
SH 140 is along the La Plata River the whole time, and
from the border passes through Redmesa, Kline, Breen, Fort
Lewis, and Hesperus.
History:
SH 140 is an original 1920s highway, but it started out
as a spur which went from US 160 south to Ft. Lewis, and
that was paved by 1938. By 1939, it had been extended to
Kline, and by 1954 it went from US 160 for 14mi to Marvel.
By 1963 it was extended south to the New Mexico border, and
was not paved only from Kline to the border. Entirely paved
by 1965.
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Location: Western Slope
Length*: 162.30mi
S End: Jct US 491 west of Dove Creek
N End: Jct BL I-70/US 6 west of Clifton
Counties: Dolores, San Miguel, Montrose, Mesa
Places: Dove Creek, Slick Rock, Naturita, Uravan,
Gateway, Whitewater, Clifton
Mountain Passes: North of Dove Creek, SH 141 goes
over Gypsum Pass (6100ft). Not exactly a high pass, but it's
still on maps.
 Scenic & Historic Byways: Unaweep/Tabeguache (SH 145 to US 50)
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Milepost Guide:
- 0.00: US 491 (begin SH 141 in Dolores County)
- 7.35: Enter San Miguel County
- 51.13: Enter Montrose County
- 55.70: SH 145 southeast of Naturita
- 60.45: SH 97, Naturita
- 62.43: SH 90, Vancorum
- 95.80: Enter Mesa County
- 154.11: South jct US 50, Whitewater
- 156.75: North jct US 50
- 162.30: BL I-70/US 6 west of Clifton (end SH
141)
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Annual Average Daily Traffic (2008):
- 730 at US 491
- 480 north of CR K8
- 1500 west of SH 145
- 2400 west of SH 97, Naturita
- 340 northwest of SH 90, Vancorum
- 680 north of John Brown Creek Rd.
- 1400 at US 50, Whitewater
- 6700 north of US 50
- 23,500 at BL 70/US 6, Clifton
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Guide:
This is one long highway. After starting at US 491, it goes
north to Egnar, then turns and takes a very curvy route east
to Slick Rock. Then, it goes up and over Gypsum Pass, and
continues northeast, hitting SH 145 east of Naturita, and
the confluence of the Naturita and Maverick Creeks. SH 141
then goes west through Naturita and Vancorum, then travels
down the San Miguel River northwest to Uravan, and west of
the there starts on a very curvy route northwest down the
Dolores River canyon to Gateway. Then, it goes northeast up
the West Creek, and winds its way over a ridge, picks up the
East Creek, and goes northeast to US 50 at Whitewater. It
goes northwest on US 50 for about 2 miles, then turns north
toward I-70, but stops short of it at BL 70 between Grand
Junction and Clifton. The section from BL I-70 to US 50
serves as the route for cut-through traffic going from I-70
to Montrose.
History:
SH 141 is an original 1920s highway, but was shorter than
now, going from Naturita to Whitewater only. By 1954 a
significant portion in the middle had been turned back, so
it went from Naturita northwest for 15mi, and from
Whitewater southwest for 9mi. By 1956 those sections had
been lengthened to 39mi and 24mi, respectively. Finally the
gap was closed by 1957. By 1961 the only section not paved
was around Gateway, which was paved by 1965.
SH 141 was extended southwest from Naturita to Dove Creek
along what had previously been SH
80 in the purge of 1968, to eliminate number
duplication with I-80S. The section from US 50 to
Clifton was brought into the state system about 1970, but
originally was numbered SH 146.
Renumbered as an extension of SH 141 about 1986.
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Location: San Luis Valley
Length*: 33.84mi
W End: Jct US 285 at Romeo
E End: Jct SH 159 at San Luis
Counites: Conejos, Costilla
Places: Romeo, Manassa, San Acacio, San Luis
Scenic & Historic Byways: Los Caminos Antiguos
Milepost Guide:
- 0.00: US 285, Romeo (begin SH 142 in Conejos County)
- 14.21: Enter Costilla County
- 33.84: SH 159, San Luis
Annual Average Daily Traffic (2008):
- 2100 at US 285, Romeo
- 2300 at 9th St, Manassa
- 860 east of CR V
- 220 east of CR 54
- 440 at SH 159, San Luis
Guide:
SH 142 starts at US 285 on the west side of Romeo, then
heads due east through Manassa (Main St.), and crosses over
the Rio Grande River halfway between Romeo and San Luis. It
continues east, but the weird part is that instead of going
like that straight to SH 159, four miles west of it SH 142
abruptly turns north for two miles to San Acacio, then goes
east, ending at San Luis.
Photo Gallery:
- Rio Grande Crossing.
The view on eastbound SH 142 approaching the Rio Grande bridge. Off in
the distance is Culebra Peak, Colorado's southern-most 14er. Photo by
David Herrera. (March 2004)
History:
SH 142 is originally from the 1920s, but at first it
went from US 285 only as far east as SH 136 south of
La Sauses. Paved from Romeo to Manassa by 1939. Extended
east to San Luis in 1954, but did not have the jog north
through San Acacio. In 1955 it was rerouted so it did jog
north through San Acacio. Entirely paved by 1957.
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Location: Eastern Mountains
History:
Originally from the 1920s, SH 143 went from SH 96
east of Silver Cliff north to Ca�on City, then was
projected/unimproved north to Victor. It started again in
Cripple Creek and went northwest to US 24 at Florissant. By
1939 the projected portion was eliminated. Gone in its
entirety by 1954.
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Location: North Eastern Plains
Length*: 28.79mi
W End: South frontage road at I-76 grade separation & CR 1 west of
Wiggins (halfway between Exits 60 and 64)
E End: Jct SH 52 at Riverview Ave./Main St. in Fort
Morgan
Counties: Morgan
Places: Orchard, Goodrich, Weldona, Log Lane Village,
Fort Morgan
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Milepost Guide:
- 0.00: I-76 south frontage road (begin SH 144 in Morgan County)
- 2.82: US 34 northwest of Wiggins
- 10.49: SH 39, Goodrich
- 27.41: I-76 Exit 79 interchange northwest of Ft.
Morgan
- 28.79: SH 52, Ft. Morgan (end SH 144)
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Annual Average Daily Traffic (2008):
- 160 at I-76 frontage road
- 330 north of US 34
- 630 east of SH 39, Goodrich
- 1500 east of CR 12
- 2900 northwest of I-76, Log Lane Village
- 4500 at SH 52, Fort Morgan
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Guide:
SH 144 has a mysterious beginning at an I-76 underpass halfway between
Exits 60 and 64. To get to it you have to exit I-76 at one of those
interchanges then use the north frontage road. From there SH 144 heads
due north, across US 34, northeast over the South Platte River, through
Orchard, northeast through Goodrich, then southeast to Weldona, across
the South Platte again, then southeast, via Log Lane Village toward
Fort Morgan. It has an interchange with I-76 at Exit 79, then heads
east on Riverview Ave., ending at SH 52 north of downtown. SH 144 is
next to or near the South Platte River for most of its length,
meandering in and out of cottonwood groves. History:
SH 144 dates from the 1920s, but used to be slightly
different. In the west it at first only got as far south as
US 34. By 1936 its east end had been moved from SH 52 to US
6-34 due south of Weldona via CR 12. By 1957 the east end
was moved back to SH 52, and SH 144 was entirely paved by
1961. SH 144 was extended from US 34 over a gravel road to
I-76 about 1974, and was paved by 1977.
SH 144 suffered severe damage from South Platte flooding west
of Goodrich, due to heavy rain upstream Sept 11-15, 2013. SH 144
underwent emergency repairs and was reopened in early November 2013.
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Location: South Western Slope
Length*: 116.87mi
S End: Jct US 160 in Cortez
N End: Jct SH 141 east of Naturita
Counties: Montezuma, Dolores, San Miguel,
Montrose
Places: Cortez, Dolores, Stoner, Rico, Lizard Head
Pass, Mountain Village, Sawpit, Placerville, Norwood
Mountain Passes: South of Telluride, SH 145 goes
over Lizard Head Pass (10,222ft; 4.1% grade).
Memorial Designations: Pfc. Paul L. Haining Memorial
Bridge, for the bridge over Leopard Creek near SH 62. Haining grew up
in Telluride and was killed in Vietnam in 1970. He is the only known
casuality from San Miguel County in Vietnam and is buried in
Placerville.
Scenic & Historic Byways:
- Trail of the Ancients (US 160 to SH 184)
- San Juan Skyway (US 160 to SH 62) (All-American Road)
- Unaweep/Tabeguache (SH 62 to SH 141)
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Milepost Guide:
- 0.00: US 160, Cortez (begin SH 145 in Montezuma County)
- 7.86: South jct SH 184
- 8.72: North jct SH 184 southwest of Dolores
- 42.92: Enter Dolores County
- 59.45: Enter San Miguel County, Lizard Head Pass
- 84.28: SH 62, Placerville
- 103.59: Enter Montrose County
- 116.87: SH 141 east of Naturita (end SH 145)
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Annual Average Daily Traffic (2008):
- 6900 at US 160, Cortez
- 4700 north of CR M
- 5600 on SH 145-184
- 3400 at 17th St., Dolores
- 1600 north of CR 36
- 2100 at Mentz Ave., Rico
- 2400 north of Vance Creek Rd., Mountain Village
- 8200 south of Society Turn (Telluride junction)
- 4700 north of Fall Creek Rd
- 1800 northwest of SH 62, Placerville
- 1800 west of Sanborn Park Rd.
- 2600 at Lucerne Dr., Norwood
- 1200 at SH 141
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Guide:
SH
145 starts at US 160 on the east side of Cortez, then heads north to
Dolores, then follows the Dolores River northeast up toward Lizard Head
Pass. Along the way, it goes through Stoner and Rico. From Lizard Head
Pass, SH 145 goes north past Ophir then through Mountain Village. North
of Mountain Village is the junction (which the USGS calls Society Turn)
where you turn east to go to Telluride. SH 145 goes northwest from
there along the San Miguel River northwest through Sawpit and
Placerville. It breaks out of the canyon, and heads west to Norwood.
Then, it stairsteps northwest to Redvale, and goes northwest ending at
SH 141. History:
SH 145 is an original 1920s highway, going from US
450/SH 10 at Dolores northeast to Rico, then through
Placerville and Norwood, ending at Naturita. SH 10
was rerouted in the Cortez area by 1938 so SH 145 was
extended south from Dolores to Cortez. By 1947 the first two
sections were paved, from Cortez to Dolores and from
Placerville to Norwood. By 1954 a section from Rico to
Telluride Junction had been turned back, but that was
brought back into the state system the next year. Also by
1954 what had previously been SH 108 from SH 145 east
into Telluride was renumbered as a Spur
SH 145. By 1964 the only section not paved
was around Rico, and that was paved by 1970. The spur was
turned back between 1994 and 1997.
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Location: South Western Slope
Length: ~1mi
S End: Mesa Verde National Park
N End: Jct US 160 east of Cortez
History:
This is an original 1920s state highway, and was the
number for the road from US 160 south into Mesa Verde
National Park. Turned back about 1938.
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Location: South Western Slope
Alignment: Spur which went west for 5mi from US
666 (current US 491) south of Cortez
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Location: Western Slope
Length*: 5.32mi
S End: 1970-1971: Jct SH 340 east of Grand
Junction; 1972-1986: Jct US 50 northwest of Whitewater
N End: Jct BL I-70/US 6 west of Clifton
History:
SH 146 is the original number for current SH 141
from US 50 up toward I-70. That routing, however, didn't
become a state highway until about 1970, and at first didn't
reach US 50, only getting as far south as an old part of
SH 340. It was extended south to US 50 by 1972. SH
146 was renumbered as an extension of SH 141 in 1986.
Probably changed for route continuity, although I wouldn't
see it as necessary.
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Location: South Western Slope
History:
SH 147 dates from the 1920s, and at first went
from SH 145 at Dolores north to SH 145 near Norwood via
McPhee Park and Cone Reservoir. By 1938 it was extended from
Dolores west to US 160 at Lewis. By 1946 the first section
was paved from Lewis to Dolores. By 1954 the section north
of Dolores was gone, so SH 147 went the *8.13mi from
Lewis to Dolores only. By 1977 it was extended southeast
~6mi toward Summit Reservoir. All of it was renumbered as
part of SH 184 in 1978.
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Location: Eastern Plains
Length: 10mi
W End: Jct SH 51 north of Holyoke
E End: Jct SH 176 at the Nebraska border
History:
Original 1920s highway. Deleted by 1954. Was a link
which went from SH 51 (current US 385) due east to
the point where current SH 23 (then SH 176) hit the
Nebraska border.
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Location: Southern Mountains
Length*: 117.52mi
S End: Jct US 160 at South Fork
N End: Jct US 50 southwest of Gunnison
Counties: Rio Grande, Mineral, Hinsdale,
Gunnison
Places: South Fork, Wagon Wheel Gap, Creede, Spring
Creek Pass, Slumgullion Pass, Lake City
Mountain Pass:
- At the Continental Divide between Lake City and
Creede, Spring Creek Pass (10,901ft; 7.5% grade).
- Just north of that is Slumgullion Pass (11,361ft;
9.4% grade north side; 7.9% grade south side).
Scenic & Historic Byways: Silver Thread
Milepost Guide:
- 0.00: US 160, South Fork (begin SH 149 in Rio Grande County
- 4.70: Enter Mineral County
- 42.38: Enter Hinsdale County
- 81.59: Enter Gunnison County
- 117.52: US 50 (end SH 149)
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Annual Average Daily Traffic (2008):
- 3600 at US 160, South Fork
- 1600 north of Masonic Park Rd.
- 1700 at Rio Grande Ave, Creede
- 1100 west of Middle Creek Rd.
- 370 north of Browns Lake Rd
- 2100 at 3rd St, Lake City
- 520 north of CR 13
- 690 at US 50
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Guide:
After starting at South Fork, SH 149 heads northwest up the
Rio Grande River. Peaking out the Strange Town Name Meter is
a town passed through named Wagon Wheel Gap. Then, it's
northwest to Creede along the Willow Creek, and there SH 149
takes two 90 degree turns and heads back southeast along the
other side of Willow Creek. That doesn't last long, though,
and SH 149 picks up the Rio Grande again going southwest,
then northwest. It uses a very curvy route going over the
passes mentioned above, then goes into Lake City. It follows
Gunnison St. through town, then picks up the Lake Fork of
the Gunnison River heading north. At Gateview, it turns off
that and heads east to Powderhorn, then turns north and ends
at US 50 at the east end of Blue Mesa Reservoir.
Photo Gallery:
- Milepost 10. The scenery looking north on SH 149 at Milepost 10 south of Wagon Wheel Gap. Photo by David Herrera. (May 2013)
- Wason Ranch. Looking along northbound SH 149 at Wason Ranch south of Creede. Photo by David Herrera. (May 2013)
- Milepost 31. Northbound SH 149, but oriented southwest toward the Weminuche Wilderness. Photo by David Herrera. (May 2013)
- South of Spring Creek Pass. The scenery looking south on SH 149 at Milepost 48. Photo by David Herrera. (May 2013)
- Uncompahgre Peak.
Looking on northbound SH 149 near Milepost 68, between Slumgullion Pass
and Lake City, at Uncompahgre Peak, Colorado's 6th-highest. Photo by
David Herrera. (May 2013)
History:
SH 149 is an original 1920s state highway. By 1954 the
middle portion of it between Creede and Lake City had been
turned back, and was paved from South Fork to Wagon Wheel
Gap. By 1960 it was paved northwest to Creede. By 1963 the
only portion not paved was around the north end at US 50. By
1964 SH 149 was extended southwest from Creede over gravel
to the Spar City turnoff. In 1966 the highway's end at US 50
at Iola had to be realigned because of the construction of
Blue Mesa Reservoir.
By 1970 SH 149 was extended from Lake City to Spring
Creek Pass, and by 1974 had been extended from the Spar City
turnoff southwest for ~6mi. By 1977 the only gap in SH 149
was near Santa Maria Lake, and every other segment had been
paved. Gap was closed by 1984.
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Location: San Luis Valley
W End: Jct SH 17 at Mosca
E End: 1920s-1953: Jct SH 69 at Gardner; 1960-1973:
Great Sand Dunes National Monument
History:
This SH 150 is an original 1920s highway, which
started at SH 17 at Mosca, went due east to GSDNM, to Red
Wing, then went to SH 69 at Gardner. It had a
projected/unimproved section through the Sangre de Cristo
Mountains over Mosca Pass. By 1954, SH 150 had been
turned back in its entirety, and there was no state road
which serviced GSDNM.
About 1960 SH 150 was brought back and went from
Mosca east, ending at GSDNM. That was a gravel road which
was paved by 1963. This SH 150 was turned back in
1973 and the current SH 150 (see below) implemented. Old 150
from Mosca to GSDNM is now CR 6N Lane.
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Location: San Luis Valley
Length*: 16.11mi
S End: Jct US 160 northwest of Blanca
N End: Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Counties: Alamosa
Scenic & Historic Byways: Los Caminos Antiguos
Annual Average Daily Traffic (2008):
- 610 at US 160
- 720 north of CR 6N
Guide:
SH
150 starts at US 160 at the Alamosa/Costilla County Line, then heads
due north across the eastern edge of the San Luis Valley. It curves to
the northeast a little then ends as it crosses the boundary into Great
Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. SH 150 is the only road access
to the dunefield section of the park.
Photo Gallery:
- SH 150, North from US 160. A look at SH 150's beginning, as seen looking north from US 160. Photo by David Herrera. (March 2004)
- End at US 160. Looking south at the intersection where SH 150 ends at US 160. Photo by Dale Sanderson. (May 2008)
- Northbound Marker, Sangre de Cristo Mountains. One of SH 150's reassurance markers with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a backdrop. Photo by Dale Sanderson. (May 2008)
- No Snowplowing at Night. Advisory sign about CDOT's policy of not plowing lightly-traveled roads at night. (August 2010)
- CR 6N Intersection.
Southbound SH 150 at the intersection with CR 6N, where one turns to
get to Mosca and northward toward Poncha Springs. (August 2010)
- End SH 150, Park Boundary.
The north end of SH 150 at the Sand Dunes park boundary, with the
signboard and pullout visible ahead. Photo by Dale Sanderson. (May 2008)
History:
Brought into the state system about 1974. See old SH
150
above. Great Sand Dunes changed status from national monument to
national park & preserve on September 13, 2004, with the addition
of the huge Baca Ranch to its northwest as part of its land. |
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Location: Southern Mountains
Length*: 33.96mi
W End: Jct SH 172 at Ute St./Goddard Ave. in
Ignacio
E End: Jct US 160 east of Chimney Rock
Counties: La Plata, Archuleta
Places: Ignacio, Arboles
Scenic & Historic Byways:
- Tracks Across Borders (SH 172 to Chimney Rock National Monument)
Milepost Guide:
- 0.00: SH 172, Ignacio (begin SH 151 in La Plata County)
- 12.81: Enter Archuleta County
- 33.96: US 160 (end SH 151)
Annual Average Daily Traffic (2008):
- 4200 at SH 172, Ignacio
- 1400 east of CR 334
- 900 northeast of Arboles
- 770 at US 160
Guide:
SH 151 starts at SH 172, and heads east out of Ignacio
on Ute St. Then, it goes southeast to Allison, east to
Arboles, and comes within about one and a half miles of the
New Mexico border, but the Navajo Reservoir is now in the
way (it didn't used to be). SH 151 then heads northeast up
the Stollsteimer Creek, ending at US 160.
History:
SH 151 is an original 1920s state highway. Went from US
160 south to Arboles, then south to New Mexico. By 1954, it
ended at Arboles, but at the same time SH 172 came southeast
and ended there, so they ended at each other. By 1963 SH 151
was paved from US 160 halfway to Arboles. It was extended
northwest to Ignacio up what used to by SH 172 about 1972.
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Location: San Luis Valley
Length: 1920s-1953: ~20mi; 1954-1982: *5.55mi
W End: Jct SH 159 in San Luis
E End: 1920s-1953: Jct SH 111 at Monument
Park; 1954-1982: Chama
History:
Original 1920s highway. Went from SH 159 at San Luis
east to Chama, then was projected over the Sangre de Cristo
Mtns. via Whiskey Pass to SH 111 (current SH 12) at
Monument Park. By 1954, it had been relegated back as a spur
which went from San Luis to east of Chama only. Paved by
1957. Turned back in its entirety about 1982. The San Luis
to Chama section is now CR P.6.
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Location: Southeast Metro Denver
History:
SH 153 is an old metro Denver highway, generally
along Colorado Blvd. Starting in 1936, it went from SH 177
at Yale/University east on Yale to Colorado, then north to
SH 83 at Leetsdale. By 1939 it used Quincy to go from Santa
Fe Drive (US 85) east to Colorado, then north to Leetsdale.
By 1954 the Valley Highway (SH 185/US 87) was being
built, and SH 153 went from that north to Colfax (US
40/SH 2). By 1960 it was extended south from the Valley to
Hampden (SH 70). Renumbered as an extension of SH 2
in the purge of 1968.
If you ask me, what they should have done instead in 1968
was renumber Colorado north of Colfax as an extension of
SH 153, but keep SH 2 from US 6-85 through Commerce
City up to I-76.
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Location: North Eastern Plains
W End: Jct US 38 (later US 6) east of Sterling
E End: 1929-1936: Holyoke; 1936-1954: Jct SH 59 south of Haxtun
History:
SH 154 was created in 1929 after the routing of SH 14/US 38 east of Sterling was changed. Orignally the road northeast from Sterling through the sand hills to Fleming didn't exist, so SH 14/US 38 went east from Sterling on either modern CR 22 or CR 24, then north on either CR 67 or 71, and east to Fleming. SH 14/US 38 had its route northeast from Sterling built by 1929 (modern US 6), so SH 154
was created along its former route (including the modern east-west
section of SH 61) from east of Sterling, east along CR 22, and east all
the way to Holyoke. By 1936 SH 154 had its east end trimmed back to SH 59 south of Haxtun. In 1954, SH 154 was eliminated, and the section west of SH 61 was made an extension of that highway. |
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Location: North Eastern Plains
Length: 31mi
SE End: Jct SH 14 northwest of Buckingham
NW End: Wyoming border north of Hereford, maybe
connecting with WY
214?? (link to Andy Field's site)
Places: Keota, Grover, Hereford
History:
SH 155 is an original 1920s highway, which went
from SH 14 west of Buckingham northwest via CR 390 through
Grover to the Wyoming line. Almost all maps show this county
road nowadays. Turned back by 1954. In its heyday, it might
have connected with WY 214.
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Location: San Luis Valley
Length: ~20mi
SW End: Jct US 450 east of Alamosa
NE End: Jct SH 150 near Great Sand Dunes
National Monument
History:
Original 1920s highway in the area north of Alamosa. It
went from US 450 (current US 160) east of Alamosa
northeast to SH 150. Deleted by 1939.
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Location: San Luis Valley
Alignment: Spur from SH 17 at Mosca due west to the
Rio Grande/Alamosa County line
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Location: Eastern Plains
Places: Falcon, Elbert, Kiowa
History:
SH 157 is an original 1920s highway. At first it
started at SH 85 then went east to Falcon then
northeast through Elbert to Kiowa. By 1936 the section west
of Falcon was eliminated, so it went only from US 24 to SH
86. By 1936 a spur was added which took it another 7mi north
from Kiowa. By 1954 most of it had been turned back, and was
only a spur which went north from Falcon for 4mi. Gone
entirely by 1955.
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Location: Boulder
Length*: 4.53mi
S End: Jct US 36 in southeast Boulder
N End: Jct SH 119 in northeast Boulder
Counties: Boulder
NHS: Entire length.
Expressway: Entire length. Includes interchanges
at US 36, Pearl Street, and SH 119.
Roadway Names: Foothills Parkway
Milepost Guide:
- 0.00: US 36 interchange (begin SH 157 in Boulder County)
- 2.04: SH 7/Arapahoe Ave.
- 4.53: SH 119 interchange (end SH 157)
Annual Average Daily Traffic (2008):
- 37,300 at US 36
- 46,800 north of Colorado Ave
- 41,300 north of Pearl St
- 39,500 at SH 119
Guide:
SH 157 starts at a somewhat odd interchange with US 36.
It's a pretty complicated interchange, with Foothills Pkwy,
the Boulder Turnpike, Table Mesa Dr. ("Table Table" Dr. with
the translation), and South Boulder Road all getting a piece
of the action. What matters is that one can get from
southbound 157 to southeastbound 36 (and the reverse
movement) with no stopping. From there, Foothills goes
north, and is a divided expressway with a speed limit of
45mph. They actually got the "parkway" part right, because
the median is landscaped, and there is very little access.
The first access point is a signal light at Baseline
Road, a mile north of US 36. Next thing north is Colorado
Ave., then a massive intersection at Arapahoe Ave. (SH 7).
North of that, SH 157 climbs up an artificial incline, and
goes over Pearl St., where there is a diamond interchange.
Next access point is at Valmont Road, with a signal light.
North of that, SH 157 has an interchange with SH 119, where
it ends. See my SH 119
listing for more on the 119-157 interchange.
Photo Gallery:
- Foothills
Parkway South of Colorado Ave. Foothills Parkway,
looking south along it from the Park East Park pedestrian
overpass (not a typo). This is just south of the signal
light at Colorado Ave. Note there are sound walls, a
landscaped median, etc. (January 1999)
History:
CDH started having plans for Foothills Parkway in the
early 1970s. In the 1971 route log it is listed, but all of
it is "projected" since it hadn't been built yet. Also,
apparently CDH at first envisioned it as longer, continuing
southwest from its current end, because the 1971 log lists
its south end as SH 93 south of Boulder, but that plan was
scrapped by 1976.
Foothills Parkway was built in stages coming north from
US 36. The first segment was from US 36 north to Baseline
Rd., completed by 1975. Next was north to SH 7 (Arapahoe
Ave.) by 1980. Then it was north to Pearl St. by 1984, to
Valmont Rd. by 1988, and finally completed to SH 119 by
1989.
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Location: San Luis Valley
Length: 20mi
SE End: Jct SH 136 at La Sauses
NW End: Jct US 160 in Alamosa
History:
This is an original 1920s highway, gone by 1953. SH
158 went from Alamosa southeast, ending at SH 136
at La Sauses.
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Location: San Luis Valley
Length*: 33.66mi
S End: New Mexico border north of Costilla,
connecting with NM 522 (link to Steve Riner's site)
N End: Jct US 160 at Fort Garland
Counties: Costilla
Places: San Luis, Fort Garland
Scenic & Historic Byways: Los Caminos Antiguos (SH 142 to US 160)
Memorial Designations: Costilla County Veterans Memorial Highway
Milepost Guide:
- 0.00: New Mexico border (begin SH 159 in Costilla County)
- 17.92: SH 142, San Luis
- 33.66: US 160 (end SH 159)
Annual Average Daily Traffic (2008):
- 800 at New Mexico border
- 920 north of CR 30
- 3600 south of SH 142, San Luis
- 1800 north of San Luis
- 2500 at US 160, Fort Garland
Guide:
From the New Mexico border, SH 159 heads due north until
west of San Luis (Colorado's oldest town), where it curves east to town, and heads
through on Main St., and then goes due north to Fort
Garland, ending at US 160.
Photo Gallery:
- New Mexico Border.
A good shot of SH 159 as it enters Colorado from New Mexico, showing
the border signing as well as the mountain scenery. Photo by David
Herrera. March 2005
- Blanca
Peak Group. The scenery on SH 159 about one mile
north of the New Mexico border. Visible is the Blanca
Peak Group which includes Little Bear Peak and Mount
Lindsey. Photo by David Herrera. (March 2002)
- Milepost 3 View. Northbound on SH 159 about 3 miles north of the border. (July 2013)
- San Luis. Northbound on SH 159 as it passes through San Luis. (July 2013)
- Milepost 30 and Blanca Peak Group.
Another shot of the Blanca Peak Group of the Sangre de Cristo
Mountains, this one facing north on SH 159 at Milepost 30. Photo by
David Herrera. March 2005
History:
SH 159 is an original 1920s highway. It was all paved by
1938. No significant changes.
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