Colorado 83 starts in Colorado Springs, then parallels Interstate 25 to the east. Entering metropolitan area from the southeast, Colorado 83 passes by Castle Rock to the east, then passes through Parker before entering Centennial and Aurora. Through southwestern Aurora, Colorado 83 changes from a two-lane rural highway into a major freeway. Colorado 83 parallels Cherry Creek as it enters Denver, then comes to its northern terminus at Colorado 2/Colorado Boulevard near Glendale.
Colorado 83/Parker Road - South
Southbound Colorado 83 approaching Junction Interstate 225. Af first blush, this appears to be a normal interchange between a city street and a freeway. Photo taken 11/10/03.
However, at second glimpse, southbound Colorado 83 becomes a freeway as it reaches Interstate 225, complete with a flyover ramp from northbound Colorado 83 to southbound Interstate 225. Photo taken 11/10/03.
After the Interstate 225 interchange, the next exit along southbound Colorado 83/Parker Road is for Vaughn Way/Dam Road, followed by Hampden Avenue. The freeway continues. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Signage for Hampden is present next on southbound Colorado 83/Parker Road, even though the next exit is still Vaughn Way/Dam Road. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Vaughn Way/Dam Road connects to the Cherry Creek Dam, which is located within Cherry Creek State Park. Meanwhile, traffic for Hampden Avenue is separated onto the two right lanes. This section of Colorado 83 was reconstructed in the early 2000s, and it has resulted in a near-freeway condition for Colorado 83. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Now on the offramp to Hampden Avenue, the mainlanes for Colorado 83/Parker Road remain to the left separated by a jersey barrier. The two-lane offramp approaches a traffic signal at the base of the ramp, and Hampden Avenue heads left (east) from this signal. Hampden Avenue is cut off from the other section of Hampden Avenue west of Havana Street by Cherry Creek State Park and John F. Kennedy Park. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Overhead sign on the offramp from Colorado 83/Parker Road at Hampden Avenue. The freeway quality of southbound Colorado 83/Parker Road will not end as the highway approaches Colorado 88/Arapahoe Road. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Cherry Creek State Park is bordered on the north by Interstate 225, east by Colorado 83/Parker Road, and southwest by Jordan Road/Belleview Avenue. The park contains the Cherry Creek Lake reservoir, and it is very popular for hiking, bicycling, and other outdoor activities. One of the main entrances to the park is located here, along southbound Colorado 83/Parker Road. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Southbound Colorado 83/Parker Road approaching Junction Colorado 88 west, Arapahoe Road. Colorado 88 leads to Interstate 25 via Arapahoe Road, then angles northwest to Greenwood Village, Englewood, Littleton, and Denver via Belleview Avenue. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Offramp from southbound Colorado 83/Parker Road to westbound Colorado 88. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Southbound Colorado 83/Parker Road approaching Junction E-470, the Denver beltway. A toll road, E-470 leads west to south Interstate 25 and Colorado 470, and it heads east and north to Interstate 70, Denver International Airport, Interstate 76, and north Interstate 25. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Similar to the overhead guide signs present on the stretch of E-470 between Interstate 25 and E-470, the mast arm signage on the traffic lights is backlit. This intersection is between Parker Road and the offramp from westbound E-470. The onramp to E-470 is still ahead. Photo taken 11/10/03.
East E-470 is the best way from the area south part of the metropolitan area to reach the airport, as noted by this sign. The first exit is for E-470 west, and the second exit is for E-470 east. Photo taken 11/10/03.
This overhead guide sign indicates one of the deficiencies of the E-470 shield: when placed next to an Interstate route marker, it is very clear that the E-470 marker is very difficult to read due to the small size of the font. It is helpful, however, that E-470 has the only gray shield in town. Photo taken 11/10/03.
