Interstate 25 is the primary north-south freeway route along the foothills of the Front Range in the state of Colorado. Since the freeway covers nearly 300 miles of the Centennial State, the page has been split into the following segments:
The first exit along northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 in Denver County (after leaving Arapahoe County) is the junction with Interstate 225 (Exit 200). This sign uses the control city of Limon, which infers that Interstate 225 is the best route to Interstate 70 east to Kansas. In addition, Interstate 225 is the most direct route from the Denver Tech Center area north to Denver International Airport. And now, Interstate 25 finally reaches the city and county of Denver, the "Mile High City." Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 reaches Exit 200, Junction Interstate 225 north. Note the use of the white Colorado-standard exit only sign located on the right side of the freeway here. The actual ramp is located just beyond the trees in the distance. Note the new flyover ramp from southbound Interstate 25 to northbound Interstate 225 is in place (the new ramp eliminated a left exit on southbound). As noted on the original sign bridge (seen in 2002, it is now gone), the next exit is Exit 201, Junction U.S. 285 and Colorado 30, Hampden Avenue. Photos taken 08/24/04 and 02/02/02.
Gore point signage along northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 at Exit 200, Junction Northbound Interstate 225. According to Matt Salek, webmaster of the highly recommended Colorado Roads web page, indicates that this hill of dirt was actually the highest point in all of the city/county of Denver. Of course, it will become part of the interchange complex. Photo taken 11/10/03.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 is Exit 201, Junction U.S. 285 and Colorado 30, Hampden Avenue. Although primarily a north-south route, U.S. 285 approaches Interstate 25 from the west at this interchange. U.S. 285 starts in Texas, then heads north via Santa Fe, New Mexico, into Colorado. U.S. 285 terminates at the Interstate 25 overpass, and Colorado 30 continues east from this point along Hampden Avenue. Colorado 30 turns north, then connects to Gun Club Road. It terminates at a seemingly arbitrary point adjacent to the E-470 tollway, but it does not directly connect to that freeway at its terminus. Also note the original signage (which has since been removed) from February 2002. Photos taken 08/29/04 and 02/02/02.
Northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 reaches Exit 201, Hampden Avenue. Hampden Avenue west carries U.S. 285, while eastbound is designated as Colorado 30 at Exit 201. The first photo shows the current temporary signage for this exit, while the second photo the signage in place prior to reconstruction. Use Hampden Avenue east to the Denver neighborhoods of Hampden and Hampden South, as well as the city of Aurora via a 90-degree turn onto Havana Street northbound. To the west, Hampden Avenue serves as the boundary between Arapahoe and Denver Counties between Dahlia Street and the western edge of the Wellshire Municipal Golf Course. From there, Hampden Avenue enters the city of Englewood, then assumes expressway and then freeway characteristics west of U.S. 85/Santa Fe Drive. The U.S. 285 freeway continues west into Lakewood in Jefferson County and then meets Colorado 470 southwest of Denver. Photos taken 11/10/03 and 02/02/02.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 is Exit 202, Yale Avenue. Yale Avenue travels west to University Park and east into an "island" of Arapahoe County that missed its opportunity to join Denver County. To the west, eventually Yale Avenue ends at South Syracuse Way. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 reaches Exit 202, Yale Avenue. This is a newer sign, as evidenced by the tubular style of sign bridge and the use of a yellow panel to denote the exit only. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit along northbound is Exit 203, Evans Avenue. Evans Avenue travels west to Denver University and Chamberlain Observatory, while eastbound Evans Avenue connects with Iliff Avenue. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 reaches Exit 203, Evans Avenue. This sign was likely removed as a result of T-Rex construction, which has altered the characteristics of this interchange. From here, Interstate 25 angles to the west, paralleling Evans Avenue as the freeway interchanges with Exit 204, Junction Colorado 2 and then turns northwest for the merge with U.S. 85/Santa Fe Drive (Exit 207). Photo taken 02/02/02.
Now traveling a bit to the west, the next exit is Exit 204, Junction Colorado 2 (Colorado Boulevard). Colorado Boulevard (Colorado 2) offers the most direct route north from this point, while Interstate 25 gradually trends toward the northwest prior to reaching downtown Denver. Between 2002 and 2004, this section of Interstate 25 was reconstructed, resulting in some major change during the intervening years. The signage and lane configuration changed dramatically, and formerly open and unfenced areas between the freeway and adjacent development has been claimed by concrete. The overpasses have also been modified or replaced as part of the T-Rex project. Photos taken 08/29/04 and 02/02/02.
Northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 reaches Exit 204, Junction Colorado 2 (Colorado Boulevard). This picture shows a section of Interstate 25 with a few tall buildings south of downtown as well as the omnipresent Front Range. Interstate 25 turns in a northwesterly direction at this point, while Colorado 2 heads due north. The 2004 photo shows the new Evans Avenue overpass and sign bridge in place for Colorado 2. The offramp is fairly long, and it merges onto the freeway frontage road. Again, compare the open space from the 2002 configuration with the new arrangement in 2004. The traffic flow used to stop here to look at the green grass; now the traffic flow is much improved as a result of T-Rex. Photos taken 02/02/02 and 08/29/04.
These shields for Interstate 25 and Colorado 2 show the reconfiguration of the frontage road for traffic connecting to north/south Colorado 2 and north Interstate 25. Colorado 2, in addition to carrying a good amount of traffic, also may have had some history as a U.S. highway, since a Gousha map from 1957 shows U.S. 87 departing Interstate 25 (then known as the Valley Highway, which was incomplete between University Boulevard and Colfax Avenue), traveling north on Colorado Boulevard, then turning west on U.S. 36-40-287/Colfax Avenue until Park Avenue (which becomes 23rd Street). U.S. 87-287 then followed Park Avenue, 23rd Street, and Fox Street, with U.S. 87 returning to the Valley Highway northbound, while U.S. 287 followed West 38th Avenue west to Federal Boulevard. Of course, all of that has changed now that U.S. 87 remains on Interstate 25 for its entire length in Colorado (possibly excepting some segments around Colorado Springs). Photo taken 08/29/04.
The office and commercial buildings that were prevalent in the 2002 photos of the approach to Colorado 2 come into a different view after the Colorado Boulevard overpass. Photo taken 08/29/04.
This picture provides a historical look at northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 as it approached the Steele Street overcrossing. This bridge was one of the original crossings over the historic Valley Highway, which is now Interstate 25. With the reconstruction of Interstate 25, this bridge was demolished and removed in February 2002, only a few days after this picture was taken. The construction equipment on the bridge in this picture were in place to remove the bridge. A temporary pedestrian bridge was placed immediately in front of (south) of the old bridge. This bridge is just in advance of Exit 205A, University Boulevard. Since this time, a new bridge has been installed to carry Steele Street over the freeway. Photo taken 02/02/02.
This is the replacement of the Steele Street bridge as seen along northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87. A 1990s-era Interstate 25 reassurance shield is posted here on a temporary post, and the street name is announced in large black letters on the overpass. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 reaches Exit 205, University Boulevard. The second photo reflects the former (prior to T-Rex) signage for University Boulevard, which used to feature two offramps. Only one ramp is required under the new configuration. University Boulevard is another north-south road, further illustrating the movement of Interstate 25 and the Valley Highway to the west. In 1957, University Boulevard was signed as Colorado 177; that designation is gone today. Use University Boulevard north to Denver Country Club, where the road splits into the York Street/Josephine Street one-way couplet. To the south, University Boulevard serves Denver University. Photos taken 08/29/04 and 02/02/02.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 is Exit 207A, Lincoln Street and Broadway. This exit provides access to the one-way couplet of Lincoln Street (northbound) and Broadway (southbound). Near the base of this intersection is the Interstate 25 and Broadway Station on the metropolitan light rail. Follow Lincoln Street north to the Washington Park West, Byers, and Capitol Hill neighborhoods of Denver. To the south, Broadway becomes a two-way street, carrying traffic south into Englewood. In 1957, U.S. 85 is shown following Broadway rather than Santa Fe Drive. Back in those days, U.S. 85 followed Broadway north to 8th Avenue, which used to carry U.S. 6 at that time. U.S. 6-85 then followed Broadway north onto Brighton Boulevard, then turned east on 46th Avenue (now Interstate 70), then northeast on Vasquez Boulevard. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 reaches the Lincoln/Broadway exit, Exit 207A. Exit 207B leads to Colorado 26 (Alameda Avenue) and U.S. 85, although U.S. 85 is not shown on the exit signage here. This exit marks the northern end of the official T-Rex reconstruction along Interstate 25 (Valley Highway) in the southern metropolitan area. Photos taken 08/29/04 and 02/02/02.
The next exit along northbound is Exit 207B, which provides access to south U.S. 85/Santa Fe Drive, Colorado 26/Alameda Avenue, and northbound Santa Fe Drive into downtown. This interchange marks the eastern terminus of the curtailed Colorado 26 (which used to extend west to Golden and now remains within the Denver city limits, ending now at Colorado 95/Sheridan Boulevard). In 1957, Alameda Avenue carried U.S. 285 into Denver from the southeast, ending at the intersection of Broadway (former route of U.S. 85) and Alameda Avenue, which is east of this interchange (Exit 207B). By the 1960s, U.S. 285 was realigned to Hampden Avenue and U.S. 85 realigned to Santa Fe Drive. Around 1966, Alameda Avenue was renumbered as Colorado 26, and the state route only existed west of Interstate 25/U.S. 87. Portions of Colorado 8 also served as the original alignment of U.S. 285 southeast of downtown Denver. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Now reaching the gore point signage for Exit 207B, you can see the traffic joining northbound Interstate 25 from northbound U.S. 85/Santa Fe Drive. The reason why the T-Rex project does not extend any further north than the Lincoln-Broadway exit is because it would involve reconstructing and/or replacing the Broadway Viaduct bridge. The Broadway Viaduct carries Interstate 25/U.S. 87 north from the Broadway exit into downtown. Any major improvement on this stretch of Interstate 25 would involve substantial cost. U.S. 85 joins Interstate 25/U.S. 87 from here north to Interstate 70. Photo taken 11/10/03.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 25 and U.S. 85-87 is Exits 209A-B, Junction U.S. 6/6th Avenue, one mile. U.S. 6 west follows the 6th Avenue freeway to Lakewood, Golden, and Interstate 70. U.S. 6 east joins with Interstate 25 and U.S. 85-87 north, but no signs mention that fact. Photo taken 11/10/03.
This mileage sign along northbound Interstate 25 and U.S. 85-87 provides the distance to the next three exits: Exits 209A-B, Junction U.S. 6/6th Avenue; Exit 209C, 8th Avenue; and Exit 209, Junction Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 40-287, Colfax Avenue. Photo taken 11/10/03.
A recently placed (late 2002-early 2003) state-name Interstate 25 shield is found along northbound just prior to Exit 209A-B, Junction U.S. 6/6th Avenue. Photo taken 11/10/03.
Northbound U.S. 85-87 and Interstate 25 approaches Exit 209A-B, Junction U.S. 6/6th Avenue, 0.50 mile. Exit 209C provides access to 8th Avenue. Photo taken 11/10/03.
The right lanes serve the next three exits: 6th Avenue east, U.S. 6 west, and 8th Avenue. Use the 6th Avenue east exit to the Lincoln Park, Country Club, and Cherry Creek areas of Denver. U.S. 6 does not follow 6th Avenue to the east; in fact, 6th Avenue quickly becomes a city street upon intersecting the Klamath Street/Santa Fe Drive one-way couplet. Sixth Avenue becomes a one-way street, traveling only eastbound, after this intersection. To return westbound, use 8th Avenue, which travels one-way westbound (east of the Klamath/Santa Fe couplet). Sixth Avenue does not connect all the way to Aurora; it ends at Lowry Campus. This is the final advance sign for Exit 209A. Photo taken 11/10/03.
The next five exits on northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 85-87 are Exit 209B, Junction U.S. 6/6th Avenue west; Exit 209C, 8th Avenue; Exit 210A, Junction Business Loop I-70/U.S. 40-287, Colfax Avenue; Exit 210C, Auraria Parkway; and Exit 210B, 17th Avenue. Some of these exits are omitted from this sign. The offramp for U.S. 6 west is visible at the bottom of the hill, about an eighth of a mile ahead of here. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Now under the superstructure of the flyover ramps from U.S. 6 to Interstate 25, the ramp from northbound Interstate 25 and U.S. 85-87 exits here to westbound U.S. 6/6th Avenue. The next exit is Exit 209C, which provides access to 8th Avenue. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Northbound Interstate 25 and U.S. 85-87 next reach the offramp for Exit 209C, 8th Avenue. Eighth Avenue follows a route parallel to 6th Avenue. Even though this is 8th Avenue, the main streets through downtown are north of 15th Avenue, which is better known as Colfax Avenue. First Avenue is a relatively minor road that serves as the northern boundary of Denver Country Club and Cherry Creek Mall. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium comes into view as Interstate 25 and U.S. 6-85-87 (now that eastbound U.S. 6 has fully transitioned onto the freeway) continue northeast. This mileage sign provides the distance to Exit 210A, Junction Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 40-287, Colfax Avenue; Exit 210C, Auraria Parkway; and Exit 210B, 17th Street. Photo taken 11/12/05.
The next exit along northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 6-85-87 is Exit 210A, Junction U.S. 40-287 and Business Loop I-70. Use Colfax Avenue west to Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium. The departure point for Exit 210B comes after Exit 210A and Exit 210C on northbound. The following exit is Exit 210C, Auraria Parkway (former Colorado 33). U.S. 40 follows Colfax Avenue across the city of Denver, and it has been remarked that Colfax Avenue is one of the longest city streets in the United States. U.S. 40 has been a common designation for Colfax Avenue for years; east of Federal Boulevard, it also carries U.S. 287. Prior to the extension of U.S. 36 onto the Denver-Boulder Turnpike in 1967, Colfax Avenue also carried U.S. 36 to the civic center of Denver, ending at what was then U.S. 6-85 at the Broadway/Colfax intersection in 1957 and following the route of today's I-70 by 1963. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The right lane becomes exit only for Exit 210A, Junction Business Loop I-70 and U.S. 40-287, Colfax Avenue. The business route designation is omitted from the overhead signs, perhaps to avoid confusion between the business loop and Interstate 70. The business loop was added to Colfax Avenue in the 1960s, and it has persisted as a co-designation since the 1960s, when Colorado official maps began showing the business route. On most reassurance assemblies on Colfax Avenue east of Federal Boulevard, the business route is given top priority with the top position, with U.S. 40 immediately below the green sign and U.S. 287 below it. Speaking of U.S. 287, it is omitted here, perhaps to avoid confusion with the Federal Boulevard section of U.S. 287. It should be added to this sign to provide route continuity. U.S. 287 follows U.S. 40 (and eventually Interstate 70) all the way Limon, where it again strikes out on its own, traveling southeast toward its ultimate conclusion at Port Arthur, Texas (near the Louisiana state line). Photo taken 08/29/04.
Northbound Interstate 25 reaches Exit 210A, Junction Business Loop I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 287, Colfax Avenue. Use Colfax Avenue east to Downtown Denver and all of its attractions: the Auraria Campus of the University of Colorado at Denver (Tivoli Denver), Colorado State Capitol, Denver Mint, Denver Civic Center, the 16th Street Mall (via Stout Street, Welton Street, or Lincoln Street northbound), and the financial district. Colfax Avenue continues east, serving the many communities east of downtown and Denver City Park. The street then enters the city of Aurora near Yosemite Street, only a few blocks south of the former site of Stapleton International Airport. U.S. 40-287 merges back onto Interstate 70 at Exit 288, just west of the E-470 interchange (Exit 289). To the west, Colfax Avenue passes by the new Invesco Field, home of National Football's Denver Broncos, but use Exit 210B, 17th Avenue for sports complex parking. Further west, Colfax Avenue crosses into Lakewood (in Jefferson County) after the Sheridan Boulevard (Colorado 95) intersection. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The bountiful skyline of Denver, sans the infamous "brown cloud," comes into view on the offramp from northbound Interstate 25 to Colfax Avenue. The tallest building in Denver is the Qwest Building, and at night a blue light illuminates its towering shape. The industrial areas in the foreground are related to the Burlington Northern Railroad, which closely follows Interstate 25 between Santa Fe Drive and the Auraria Parkway exit. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next four exits along northbound Interstate 25 are Exit 210C, Auraria Parkway (former Colorado 33); Exit 210B, 17th Avenue; Exit 211, 23rd Avenue; and Exit 212A, Speer Boulevard southbound. Note that the exit numbering is a bit out of order here: Exit 210C precedes Exit 210B. Look for the Auraria Parkway exit prior to the 17th Avenue exit. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The right lane of Interstate 25 exits only onto Auraria Parkway. Looking at a 1957 map of Denver, Auraria Parkway did not exist back in those days. A predecessor was added to the city street system in the form of the Larimer Street/Lawrence Street viaduct in the 1960s to allow for easier access to Lower Downtown, with a connection via the Market Street/Blake Street one-way couplet. By 1968, the route became known as Colorado 33 (replacing Colorado 36, which appears in the official map from 1967 - Colorado 36 was possibly connected to U.S. 36, since state and U.S. numbers are frequently intertwined along the same general route in Colorado). Lower Downtown is a particularly popular destination for Union Station (Amtrak and light rail), the nightlife and Coors Field, home of the Rockies. Colorado 33 used to continue northeast on the Larimer Street/Lawrence Street one-way couplet, ultimately connecting to Colorado Boulevard via 40th Avenue. Per Colorado Highways guru Matt Salek, this designation was removed in January 2002, only a month before AARoads visited to take the February 2002 photos. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next three exits along northbound Interstate 25 are Exit 210B, 17th Avenue; Exit 211, 23rd Avenue; and Exit 212A, Speer Boulevard southbound. Photo taken 11/12/05.
As mentioned earlier, all parking for Invesco Field should use the 17th Avenue exit. On game days, watch for stopped or slowed traffic in the vicinity of this exit. In addition to Invesco Field, two other sporting venues are nearby: The Pepsi Center, which is home to the National Basketball Association (NBA) Denver Nuggets and National Hockey League (NHL) Denver Grizzlies and Coors Field, which is home to Major League Baseball (MLB) Colorado Rockies (member of the National League West). Use Auraria Parkway (Exit 210C) to both of these venues. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium is located just west of Interstate 25. It dominates the view as Interstate 25 approaches Exit 210B, 17th Avenue. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 6-85-87 reaches Exit 210B, 17th Avenue. Also known as Dick Connor Avenue through the sporting venue area, 17th Avenue continues west to Sloan Lake Park and Edgewater Marketplace. Seventeenth Avenue does not continue east of Interstate 25, since the nearby South Platte River acts as a natural barrier between Invesco Field and downtown Denver. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Continuing north, the next exit along northbound is Exit 211, 23rd Avenue, followed by Exits 212A-B, Speer Boulevard. The Speer Boulevard is a major interchange, as it follows Cherry Creek (a tributary of the South Platte River) southeast toward Cherry Creek Mall, with the street straddling the creek. To the northwest, Speer Boulevard ends at Irvine Street, near Moncrieff Place between 32nd Avenue and 33rd Avenue. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Indeed, the role of 23rd Avenue is somewhat diminished compared to Speer Boulevard because 23rd Avenue does not cross the South Platte River, while Speer Boulevard does. Speer Boulevard offers another access point into downtown Denver, this time from the northwest. Speer Boulevard offers the same kinds of connections as Auraria Parkway, including Lower Downtown and Coors Field. Also use Speer Boulevard south to Elitch Gardens, the amusement park, as well as the convention center. Photo taken 08/29/04.
A left lane exit provides a connection to the high occupancy vehicle lane, which is available during certain commuting hours. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Northbound Interstate 25 reaches Exit 211, 23rd Avenue. Use 23rd Avenue west to Jefferson Park and the northeast shore of Sloan Lake. Use 23rd Avenue west to U.S. 287/Federal Boulevard north to 26th Avenue west to the city of Wheat Ridge in Jefferson County. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next three exits along northbound Interstate 25 are Exit 212A, Speer Boulevard southbound; Exit 212B, Speer Boulevard northbound; and Exit 212C, 20th Street. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 6-85-87 reaches the cloverleaf interchange for Speer Boulevard. The first ramp connects northbound Interstate 25 to southbound Speer Boulevard along Cherry Creek to the Denver Country Club and Cherry Creek Mall (Exit 212A). The following ramp connects northbound to Speer Boulevard north. The blue Interstate 25 construction information sign has been in place since at least 1990, if not longer. Construction on this corridor has been commonplace, as the highway has been expanded to accommodate more traffic. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Another mileage sign is posted immediately after Exit 212A. The next four exits along northbound Interstate 25 are Exit 12B, Speer Boulevard northbound; Exit 212C, 20th Street; Exit 213, Park Avenue/38th Avenue; and Exit 214, Junction Interstate 70. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Northbound Interstate and U.S. 6-85-87 reaches Exit 212B, Speer Boulevard southbound. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit along northbound is Exit 212C, 20th Street, which offers a viaduct on southbound over both the South Platte River and the Burlington Northern Railroad yards. At the end of the 20th Street viaduct is Coors Field, sitting at its intersection with Blake Street. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 6-85-87 reaches Exit 212C, 20th Street. Use 20th Street northwest to Central Street and Osage Street in the neighborhood of Highland. Interstate 25 approaches an access ramp onto the high occupancy vehicle lane, which is a reversible set of lanes between downtown and U.S. 36/Denver-Boulder Turnpike. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit along northbound is Exit 213, Park Avenue and 38th Avenue, followed by Exit 214, Junction Interstate 70 (and U.S. 6-85). Park Avenue is the former route (from 1957) of U.S. 87-287, back when U.S. 87 entered downtown Denver via Colorado Boulevard and a short merged section with Colfax Avenue before crossing the city on Park Avenue. From this interchange, U.S. 87 merged back onto Interstate 25 (in 1957 known as the Valley Highway), while U.S. 287 turned west on 38th Avenue to join Federal Boulevard north toward Broomfield. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Interstate 70 is a major interchange. Throughout the 1980s-1990s-early 2000s, the interchange (dubbed as the "Mousetrap" by traffic and news reporters who spoke of countless delays due to the overwhelmed and under-designed Interstate to Interstate interchange) was under construction, being rebuilt ramp by ramp. The ramp to eastbound Interstate 70 (Exit 214A) is signed as part of the best route to Denver International Airport from downtown Denver. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next three exits along northbound Interstate 25 are Exit 213, Park Avenue and 38th Avenue; Exit 214, Junction Interstate 70; and Exit 215, Junction Colorado 53/58th Avenue. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 6-85-87 reaches Exit 213, Park Avenue and 38th Avenue. The right lane is exit only for Park Avenue/38th Avenue, and the second lane from the right will become exit only for Interstate 70 east/west (Exit 214). Photo taken 08/29/04.
Immediately thereafter, Interstate 25 and Interstate 70 traffic splits. The left four lanes continue along northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87, while the right two lanes offer a connection to Interstate 70. Once on the transition ramp, traffic can choose between Interstate 70 west to Grand Junction and Interstate 70/U.S. 6-85 west to Limon. See the Interstate 70 page for more information on this major east-west freeway. Note that U.S. 6-85 depart from Interstate 25 from here, so if you plan to follow those routes, exit on eastbound Interstate 70. However, for traffic bound for long-distance U.S. 6-85 destinations (such as Fort Morgan and Greeley), it makes much more sense to stay on Interstate 25 north and then turn northeast on Interstate 76. This avoids the slower pace of traffic on Vasquez Boulevard through Commerce City. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Interstate 25/U.S. 87 now follow a four-lane freeway on northbound as it finds its way through the infamous Mousetrap Interchange. Since all traffic headed for Interstate 70 has been diverted onto a separate transition ramp, traffic on the mainline is quite a bit smoother. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next two exits on northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 are Exit 215, Junction Colorado 53 (58th Avenue) and Exit 216, Junction Interstate 76. Colorado 53 is a very short state route that originates at Exit 215, follows 58th Avenue one block to the west, then travels north for about a dozen blocks or so before ending at Colorado 224 (70th Avenue). Photo taken 08/29/04.
Looking north, traffic on the mainline can clearly see the transition signage onto Interstate 70 west to Grand Junction and Interstate 70/U.S. 6-85 east to Limon (and Commerce City). Interstate 70 passes over Interstate 25, as seen in the ramps visible in the distance ahead. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Here is a closer view of Interstate 70 crossing over Interstate 25. The transition ramp from Exit 214 splits here, with the left lanes connecting to westbound Interstate 70 and the right lanes of the transition ramp connecting to eastbound Interstate 70/U.S. 6 and northbound U.S. 85. Photo taken 08/29/04.
As if to reaffirm that U.S. 87 really does exist in Colorado, here is the sole remaining U.S. 87 shield to be found in Colorado. It survived a recent shield replacement, since this shield used to be wider than normal with a neutered shield. Now the shield is shaped normally, with a state named shield. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Here is a close-up of the rare Interstate 25 and U.S. 87 shield assembly located immediately after the Interstate 70 (Mousetrap) Interchange. After this shield, northbound Interstate 25/U.S. 87 exits from Denver County and enters Adams County. Photo taken 08/29/04.
