| Continuing south, Colorado 74 next approaches Squaw Pass Road, which travels west toward Mount Evans. Squaw Pass Road connects to Colorado 103 and Colorado 5, which is the highest road in Colorado. Colorado 5 travels to the top of Mount Evans, which rests at an elevation of 14,260 feet. Turn left (east) on Ellingwood Trail to reach Buchanan Park. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Colorado 103 begins near the top of Squaw Pass in Clear Creek County, then travels west to Colorado 5 (Mount Evans Highway), then turns north to meet Interstate 70 and U.S. 6-40 in Idaho Springs. The section of Squaw Pass Road between here and Squaw Pass is county maintained by Jefferson and Clear Creek Counties. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| The next intersection is with Bergen Parkway, which serves Bergen Park, which is one of the parks within the Denver Mountain Parks system. Use Bergen Parkway to Buchanan Ponds. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Most of the ample open space surrounding the Colorado 74 corridor is protected. After Bergen Park, the next intersection serves Elk Meadow Open Space Park, which is part of the Jefferson County system of open space lands. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| The speed limit on Colorado 74 is 55 miles per hour. South of Elk Meadow Open Space, the highway does not have any kind of median barrier. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| The next intersection along southbound Colorado 74/Evergreen Parkway is Stagecoach Boulevard. The highway begins to see urbanization associated with the town of Evergreen. After passing through a few traffic signals, the highway narrows from four lanes to two lanes. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Now on the two-lane segment, Colorado 74 approaches Evergreen Lake. The highway turns from south to southeast as it angles toward downtown. Eastbound Colorado 74/Evergreen Parkway approaches Upper Bear Creek Road, which serves the western end of the lake. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| The intersection with Upper Bear Creek Road is a tight turn. The two-lane highway hugs the edge of the cliff, above Evergreen Lake. A hiking trail rings the entire lake, offering recreational opportunities for hikers and runners. A parking lot is available closer to downtown Evergreen. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Now approaching downtown Evergreen, Colorado 74 takes a higher road past the dam that holds back Bear Creek. This reservoir along Bear Creek is known as Evergreen Lake, which holds 670 acre-feet of water. Nevertheless, historical flood events have occurred in downtown Evergreen and from there east toward Morrison along the Bear Creek corridor. See the Urban Design and Flood Control District webpage for more information. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| After winding down into downtown Evergreen, Colorado 74 approaches Jefferson County Route 73, which travels south to Conifer (where it meets junction U.S. 285). Jefferson County Route 73 is former Colorado 73. According to Matt Salek's Colorado Highways, Colorado 73 was turned back to local control in 1965. Ever since then, Jefferson County Route 73 has followed this alignment. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| At this intersection, Colorado 74 turns east toward Morrison and Red Rocks, while Jefferson County Route 73 turns south toward Conifer. This county route can be very busy, as it offers a connection to U.S. 285 that avoids Morrison. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Continuing east, Colorado 74 enters the town of Evergreen in the center of the Evergreen region (bounded by Interstate 70 and El Rancho to the north, Mount Evans to the west, the eastern edge of the foothills on the east, and Conifer to the south. This area, all referred to as Evergreen, is home to approximately 30,000 people. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Through Evergreen, Colorado 74 is part of the 40-mile Lariat Loop. This scenic byway is officially recognized by the state of Colorado in August 2002. The loop takes its name from the Lariat Trail, which connected the city of Golden with Buffalo Bill's Museum and Grave via Lookout Mountain in 1913. Today, the official loop route connects Evergreen with Golden and Morrison. The loop begins in Morrison at the junction of Colorado 74 and Colorado 8 (Former U.S. 285), follows the entire route of Colorado 74, turns east onto Interstate 70/U.S. 40, then takes the Lariat Trail northeast to Golden. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Antique stores, gift shops, restaurants, and related commercial establishments line Colorado 74 as the parkway travels through downtown Evergreen. Popular with weekend travelers, Evergreen is a popular daytrip gateway from metropolitan Denver. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Continuing east, Colorado 74 follows the Bear Creek out of Evergreen and toward Kittredge. The highway remains two lanes between here and Morrison, and it is a much slower route than the section of Colorado 74 north of Evergreen. Tragedy has struck Colorado 74 due to its narrow alignment through canyons and narrow valleys between Evergreen and Morrison. Head-on collisions have occurred on this road, including several deadly accidents involving motorcycles. Watch for traffic passing illegally on double yellow lines; it is best to take this roadway slowly as it winds alongside Bear Creek. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| At Mile 8, Colorado 74 passes over Bear Creek. A white paddle beneath the Bear Creek identification sign indicates the bridge number. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| This reassurance shield for Colorado 74 is located after the Mile 8 Bear Creek bridge. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three towns: Kittredge (two miles), Idledale (six miles), and Morrison (11 miles). Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Although Colorado 74 remains close to Bear Creek, several homes are located alongside the highway, such as this one. Flood concerns remain a concern through this area, so all development must be cognizant of the river's proximity to homes and other buildings. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Eastbound Colorado 74 enters the town of Kittredge, another unincorporated area within Jefferson County. Some of the people who live in Kittredge commute to jobs elsewhere in metropolitan Denver. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| A few shops and restaurants are located in downtown Kittredge. The highway passes through the small town, then continues east toward Idledale. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Like most small communities along Colorado 74, Kittredge owes its existence to the mining days of the late 1800s. It remains today as a small cluster of homesteads and businesses on the road between Evergreen and Morrison. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| After departing Kittredge, Colorado 74 continues east toward Idledale. The highway follows the Bear Creek as it follows the contours of the canyon. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Colorado 74 closely follows the curves of the canyon walls, which results in several switchbacks such as these. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| The Lair o'the Bear Open Space is a 319-acre open space park owned and operated by Jefferson County. Hikers and anglers (fishermen) enjoy the tranquil open space, which features unique geological formations and myriad recreational opportunities. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Idledale is a small community about 21 miles southwest of Denver along Colorado 74. Several homes and small ranches are located in this small riverside community; Bear Creek offers fishing and other recreational activities. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| Eastbound Colorado 74 enters the town of Morrison, which is located at the eastern end of Bear Creek canyon. Morrison was incorporated as a town in 1906 after being established in 1874. A National Register Historic District, Morrison has a quaint downtown with plenty of shops and restaurants. According to the webpage, 438 people live in Morrison (as of the 2000 Census). Photo taken 11/11/05.
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| There is no "Junction Colorado 8" shield assembly on eastbound Colorado 74 as the state highway approaches its end in Morrison. Continue straight ahead to follow Colorado 8 through Morrison to Red Rocks and Colorado 470. Turn right to follow Colorado 8 southwest to U.S. 285. Photo taken 11/11/05.
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Page Updated November 5, 2005.
