Colorado Highways: US 160

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Location: Southern Western Slope > Southern Mountains > San Luis Valley > Southern Front Range > Arkansas Valley
Length*: 497.22mi
W End: New Mexico border just east of the Four Corners (link to Steve Riner's site)
E End: Kansas border east of Walsh (link to Richie Kennedy's site)
Nationally: W End: US 89 near Tuba City, Arizona; E End: US 67 near Poplar Bluff, Missouri (1444mi)

Counties: Montezuma, La Plata, Archuleta, Mineral, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Costilla, Huerfano, Las Animas, Baca
Places: Four Corners, Cortez, Mancos, Durango, Bayfield, Pogosa Springs, Wolf Creek Pass, South Fork, Del Norte, Monte Vista, Alamosa, Blanca, Fort Garland, North La Veta Pass, Walsenburg, Trinidad, Kim, Pritchett, Springfield, Vilas, Walsh

NHS: New Mexico border east to I-25 at Walsenburg, and along I-25 to Trinidad.

Freeway: While concurrent with I-25 from Walsenburg to Trinidad.

Expressway:

• For several miles southwest of Cortez
• From US 550 in south Durango to near SH 172

Business Routes: Mancos

Mountain Passes:

• Wolf Creek Pass east of Pagosa Springs (10,850ft, 6.5% grade)
• North La Veta Pass west of Walsenburg (9413ft; 6% grade)

Scenic & Historic Byways:

• Trail of the Ancients (New Mexico to Mesa Verde National Park)
• San Juan Skyway (SH 145 to US 550) (All-American Road)
  
• Tracks Across Borders (Durango to SH 172)
  
• Los Caminos Antiguos (SH 150 to SH 159)
• Highway of Legends (SH 12 to I-25)
• Santa Fe Trail (I-25 to US 350)

Milepost Guide:

0.00: New Mexico border (begin US 160 in Montezuma County) 4.88: SH 41 18.29: South jct US 491 37.86: North jct US 491/Broadway, Cortez 38.15: Spur US 491/Piñon Drive 40.29: SH 145/State St., Cortez 54.75: West jct BR US 160 west of Mancos 56.06: SH 184 north of Mancos 56.99: East jct BR US 160 east of Mancos 61.79: Enter La Plata County 72.75: SH 140 83.20: Northwest jct US 550, Durango 84.15: Northwest jct SH 3 86.60: Southeast jct SH 3 88.31: Southeast jct US 550 91.47: SH 172 112.25: Enter Archuleta County 126.96: SH 151 144.45: US 84, Pagosa Springs 155.05: Enter Mineral County 180.22: Enter Rio Grande County

186.12: SH 149, South Fork 202.08: SH 112, Del Norte 215.69: West jct US 285/SH 15/Broadway, Monte Vista 222.55: Enter Alamosa County 232.74: East jct US 285/West Avenue, Alamosa 234.00: SH 17 northeast of Alamosa 247.92: SH 150/Enter Costilla County 258.27: SH 159, Fort Garland 278.64: Enter Huerfano County,North La Veta Pass 294.17: SH 12 north of La Veta 305.38: South jct BL I-25, Walsenburg 305.52: North jct BL I-25 306.35: I-25/SH 10 Exit 150 interchange east of Walsenburg 344.57: I-25/Goddard Ave Exit 15 interchange, Trinidad (Las Animas County) 344.65: SH 239 350.76: US 350, Beshoar Junction 382.77: SH 389 north of Branson 416.53: SH 109 north of Kim 431.69: Enter Baca County 464.43: US 287-385 south of Springfield 473.65: SH 100, Vilas 497.22: Kansas border (end US 160)

Annual Average Daily Traffic (2008):

1700 at New Mexico border 2400 northeast of SH 41 6500 on US 160-491 north of Towaoc 15,600 on US 160-491 southwest of US 491, Cortez 20,300 at Mildred St, Cortez 6000 east of Mesa Verde National Park 6500 east of SH 184, Mancos 6400 east of SH 140, Hesperus 20,000 west of US 550, Durango 38,900 on US 160-550 northwest of Turner Dr, Durango 8700 east of CR 222/223 4600 at Bayfield 3900 west of SH 151 16,800 west of 4th St., Pagosa Springs 4300 east of US 84 2700 east of CR AA 2800 east of Park Creek Rd 5300 east of SH 149, South Fork 4200 east of CR 19 7900 west of SH 112, Del Norte 5300 east of CR 5N 10,600 on US 160-285 at Jefferson St, Monte Vista 7300 on US 160-285 east of CR 3E

21,600 on US 160-285 at 1st St, Alamosa 9800 east of SH 17 3600 west of SH 150 3500 east of SH 159, Fort Garland 2600 east of CR 450 5100 east of SH 12 8600 west of BL 25, Walsenburg 8400 on BL 25/US 160 1000 at I-25, Walsenburg 11,400 on I-25/US 160 south of Aguilar 3800 at I-25, Trinidad 3600 east of Main Street 560 east of US 350, Beshoar Junction 270 east of CR 113 180 east of SH 389 200 east of CR 179 270 east SH 109 340 east of CR 10 780 west of US 287-385 910 east of US 287-385 630 east of SH 100 750 at Colorado St., Walsh 320 at Kansas border

Guide:
US 160 starts off in the extreme southwest part of Colorado, a little less than a mile to the east of the Four Corners Monument. First a sidebar about Four Corners. All four corners of the states that meet there are Indian reservation land (Colorado is Ute Mountain Ute, the other three Navajo). It's not a federal monument and there is an admission fee, and it serves a dual role as a monument and Indian market. US 160 has no acknowledgment that you're briefly in New Mexico, other than the sign for NM 597 that leads to the monument.

From the New Mexico border, US 160 has a crossing over the San Juan River just inside the border, and climbs out of the river valley, crossing fairly flat terrian through the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation northeast toward US 491. Together, US 160-491 head north on a mostly straight alignment with a speed limit slowdown at the turnoff to Towaoc, then come into Cortez, going down Broadway. At Main St. on the west side of town, US 491 continues north, while US 160 turns east through downtown. East of Cortez, US 160 passes by the north side of Mesa Verde National Park, where the entrance road to it has a diamond interchange with US 160.

Continuing east, US 160 goes rolling through terrain. At Mancos it bypasses the main part of town to the north, and further east comes into Durango. The west side of town has US 160 winding its way through a fairly narrow canyon that is also a commercial strip, then it crosses the Animas River bridge and comes to a T intersection at US 550 south of downtown. US 160 turns southeast with US 550 and together they head southeast on an expressway out of town, along the Animas River. Then, US 550 splits off and goes south to New Mexico along the Animas, while US 160 goes east. Over the rolling terrain it goes to Bayfield, which it has a bypass to the north of. US 160 continues east on its rolling, scenic alignment through the San Juan National Forest, passing the Chimney Rock historical area. US 160 then heads into the tourist-oriented town of Pagosa Springs, using San Juan St. Just on the east side of town, US 160 meets the west end of US 84, one of the few places in the country where a 2-digit US route ends at a 3-digit one.

From Pagosa Springs, US 160 picks up the San Juan River and heads northeast up that toward Wolf Creek Pass. The west side of the pass features several switchbacks and a long, steep grade, with two runaway ramps. But there are two lanes each direction, making slow traffic not a concern. Milepost 159 features an unusual bridge which takes US 160 over a notch in the mountain side, heading eastbound one has an impressive view of it for a couple miles. There are also many pullouts to take in the scenic view of the valley below.

US 160 then picks up Wolf Creek, following that up to the summit of Wolf Creek Pass. The east side of the pass is different from the west side in that the canyons it uses (notably Pass Creek) are narrower than on the west side, making US 160 only two lanes some places rather than the four it is on the west side. The east side also features a snowshed to provide protection at an avalanche chute. A tunnel cuts through a hillside to bypass a narrow, curvy section of canyon. As it continues northeast US 160 begins using the valley of the South Fork of the Rio Grande, coming to the town of South Fork.

From South Fork, US 160 then follows the main Rio Grande and strikes out east across the San Luis Valley. It heads east through Del Norte on Grand Ave., then goes southeast, and into Monte Vista. It comes east into town on 1st Ave., and at the intersection with Broadway, meets US 285 and SH 15. US 160-285 together heads east out of town, and then goes southeast, getting to Alamosa.

Photo Gallery:

• New Mexico Border Picture 1 and Picture 2. Eastbound signs on US 160 at the New Mexico Border with the San Juan River bridge in the near distance. (September 2011)
  
• SH 41 Intersection. Eastbound US 160 at the SH 41 intersection, a mere 4 miles from the New Mexico border. Photo by Adam Froehlig. (August 2005)
• US 160-491 Intersection Signs Picture 1 and Picture 2. Eastbound on US 160 coming up to the US 491 intersection south of Towaoc. (September 2011)
• US 160 Departing US 491. View westbound on US 160 departing US 491 toward the Four Corners, with shiny pavement from a recent resurfacing. Wow, long ways to Flagstaff. Photo by David Herrera. (October 2011)
  
• US 160-491 Truck Speed Limit. This section of US 160-491 south of Towaoc has a lower truck speed limit. (September 2011)
• Towaoc Turnoff. US 160-491 northbound at the Towaoc turnoff and Ute Mountain Casino. (September 2011)
• US 491 Spilt Northbound. Overhead signs on Broadway in Cortez approaching the US 160-491 split. How many different types of arrows and numerals can you count? (September 2011)
• Downtown Cortez. Eastbound Main Street at Linden looking down US 160. (September 2011)
• Whiteboard SH 145 Sign. Eastbound on US 160 in Cortez, somehow this whiteboard sign for SH 145 has survived decades since they stopped being used. (September 2011)
• Mancos Business Route Exit. The eastbound turnoff to the US 160 business route through Mancos is somewhat like a ramp exit. (September 2011)
• SH 184 Intersection. Eastbound on US 160 at the SH 184 intersection signal in Mancos. (September 2011)
• US 550 T Intersection Signs. Eastbound US 160 comes to a signalized T intersection at US 550 in Durango, with this sign assembly as it's crossing the Animas River bridge. (September 2011)
  
• SH 172 Signs. Overhead signs on eastbound US 160 at SH 172, east of Durango. (July 2005)
• East of Bayfield. The scenery on eastbound US 160 at Milepost 105, a few miles east of Bayfield. (July 2005)
• Pagosa Springs. Eastbound US 160 in central Pagosa Springs. (July 2005)
• Milepost 154, Sheep Mountain. Here's a shot on eastbound US 160 at Milepost 154, just south of the Archuleta/Mineral County line. Off in the distance is Sheep Mountain, while in the right middleground is the formation known as Indian Head. (July 2005)
• West Fork San Juan River Valley & Indian Head. Looking southwest from an overlook at Milepost 160, after US 160 has begun climbing the west side of Wolf Creek Pass. US 160 can be seen winding its way through the valley below, and at left is another perspective of the Indian Head formation. (July 2005)
• Multiple Levels of Wolf Creek Pass. A little further up Wolf Creek Pass, here multiple levels of US 160 can be seen, as well as the Indian Head formation. Photo by Dale Sanderson. (May 2008)
  
• Four Lanes Up Wolf Creek Pass. Eastbound US 160 at Milepost 163, climbing up the west side of Wolf Creek Pass. Note the four lanes, which US 160 has for the entire length of the grade on the west side of the pass. (July 2005)
• Truck Advisory Speeds. Because of the almost 7% grade down Wolf Creek Pass, CDOT has posted a sign with advisory speeds for trucks at the summit. But what's unusual about it is it lists 3 different weight classes and progressively slower speeds. (July 2005)
• Snowshed. Here's a view on eastbound US 160 of the snowshed on the east side of Wolf Creek Pass. It provides protection for the highway at an avalanche chute. The snowshed is in a somewhat awkward place, right at a sharp 25mph curve, prompting lots of warning signs. (July 2005)
• Tunnel and Old Road. A shot on eastbound US 160 showing the tunnel at Milepost 174. The tunnel bypasses a particularly narrow and windy section of the Pass Creek canyon, which can be seen going down the old road to the left. (July 2005)
• Narrow Canyon Work. Milepost 175 on eastbound US 160. Here rock excavation work is going on in the narrow part of the South Fork Rio Grand canyon to widen the shoulders. (July 2005)
• East of Del Norte. The view on westbound US 160 at Milepost 207, about halfway between Del Norte and Monte Vista. Photo by David Herrera. (May 2013)
  
• West Alamosa One-Way Split. Here, with ominus clouds in the sky, eastbound US 160-285 enters the one-way split on the west side of Alamosa. EB goes onto 6th St ahead while WB is coming off Main St to the left. (August 2010)
• At 285, Eastbound. Signs on eastbound US 160-285 where 285 turns south out of Alamosa. (August 2010)
  
• At 285, Westbound. Signs on westbound US 160 at the US 285 intersection in Alamosa. (August 2010)
• Downtown Alamosa. A look west along Main St at San Juan Ave. Shows US 160's one-way westbound only stretch along Main St. (August 2010)
  
• Pre-One Way. Looking west along US 160 at State Avenue before the one-way conversion was done. (July 2005)
• Alamosa One-Way Right Turn. The signal and signs on westbound US 160 as it turns right from Denver Ave to one-way Main St in Alamosa. (August 2010)
  
• Rio Grande Bridge, Alamosa. A look a the bridge that takes US 160 over the Rio Grande on the east side of Alamosa. (July 2005)
• Blanca. The view on US 160 as it passes west through Blanca. (August 2010)
  
• SH 159 Intersection. Westbound at the intersection with SH 159 in Fort Garland. (August 2010)
  
• East of Fort Garland. Westbound on US 160 between La Veta Pass and Fort Garland. Very dry terrain. (August 2010)
  
• La Veta Pass West Descent. Westbound US 160 as it descends the west side of La Veta Pass into the San Luis Valley. (August 2010)
  
• (North) La Veta Pass Summit: Markers • View East • View West. A series of pictures on US 160 at the top of La Veta Pass. The view east shows Mount Maestas towering high. (August 2010)
  
• Another Summit Photo. Eastbound on US 160. Photo by David Herrera. (November 2006)
• La Veta Pass East Side Climb. Westbound US 160 as it begins climbing La Veta Pass. (August 2010)
  
• Mount Maestas. A view looking north from US 160 toward Mount Maestas, between SH 12 and North La Veta Pass. Photo courtesy David Herrera. (July 2003)
• Approaching SH 12. Westbound on US 160 as it comes up to the SH 12 intersection near La Veta. (August 2010)
• Spanish Peaks. Great shot of the Spanish Peaks to the south and Trinchera Peak to the west, as seen from westbound US 160 about 8 miles west of Walsenburg. Photo by David Herrera. (May 2014)
  
• 7th Street Right Turn. Signal and signs on Walsen Ave at 7th St, where US 160 makes its turn off of BL 25 to head west. (August 2010)
  
• Walsenburg Business Loop. Southbound BL 25 and westbound US 160 on Walsen Avenue. (August 2010)
• I-25/US 160 Overlap. Oversized marker assembly showing the I-25/US 160 overlap, just north of Trinidad. (August 2010)
  
• Majorly Wide Marker Assembly. Eastbound at the I-25 Exit 15 interchange, where US 160 turns east off the freeway. It continues ahead on Kit Carson Trail, but before that this ridiculously wide marker assembly lets you know what else is going on here at the intersection. Seems there's some way they could've gotten the banners and arrows to line up with the markers. (August 2010)
  
• Trinidad Kit Carson Trail Turn. Westbound on US 160 on the east side of Trinidad where it turns onto the Kit Carson Trail bypass to I-25. (August 2010)
  

History:
US 160 is not an original 1920s US Highway in Colorado. It was extended west to Colorado from Kansas in 1932 and only as far west as US 85 in Trinidad. And, between Johnson, Kansas and Springfield, Colorado, it was on a different route. From Johnson it headed due west, then picked up current SH 116 to US 287, then went south to Springfield, then west. East of Trinidad, it also was shifted south of its current route so that from Watts Corner, it went south on current SH 389 to Branson, then west via Trinchera, and northwest to Beshoar Junction.

US 160 was extended north from Trinidad and west from Walsenburg over what used to be US 450 via Alamosa, Pagosa Springs, Durango, Cortez and Dove Creek to Utah in 1936. By 1938 the only sections of US 160 not paved were over Wolf Creek Pass and from Beshoar Junction to Kansas. US 160 was rerouted between Beshoar Junction and Branson onto its current alignment by 1950. By 1954, US 160 was rerouted east of Springfield, so that instead of using SH 116 it went east via Walsh to Kansas. By 1955 the only section of US 160 not paved was from east of Beshoar Junction to Pritchett. By 1959 only a segment from east of SH 389 to east of Tobe wasn't paved, and that was paved by 1963.

West of Walsenburg, US 160 originally used La Veta Pass. By 1964 it was moved to a new alignment to the north, but interestingly the CDH map for that year called it Sangre de Cristo Pass. That only lasted a year, though, by 1965 the name had been changed to North La Veta Pass.

West of Cortez, US 160 was rerouted from Dove Creek and the Utah border southwest along what had been US 164 to Four Corners in 1970. The Mancos and Bayfield bypasses were completed by 1972. The Durango southwest bypass and addition of SH 3 to the system was done in 1981. The Kit Carson Trail north Trinidad bypass was constructed about 1992.

Wolf Creek Pass saw several phases of reconstruction in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Most notable was the completion of the tunnel on the east side of the pass in November 2004.

The Main St/6th St one-way couplet in Alamosa was implemented in 2009. Previous to that Main St was two-way with both directions of US 160.

The Bayfield business route was turned back to the town in summer 2011.

Suggestions:
Needs to be an expressway between Cortez and Pagosa Springs.

Related Site: Historic US Highway Endpoints around Trinidad, CO (including US 160) by Dale Sanderson

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Page created 7 January 2008
Last updated 14 June 2015