The Western Interstate 76 is a diagonal route leading from transcontinental Interstate 80 southwest into Denver. Although it shares a common number with the Eastern Interstate 76, the two routes do not connect, and there is a huge gap between Nebraska and Ohio. Interstate 76 was formerly Interstate 80S, and the designation was changed when most suffixed routes were eliminated.
Passing through the eastern plains of Colorado, Interstate 76 serves the communities of Fort Morgan, Sterling, and Julesburg along the banks of the South Platte River. Although it is very wide river, the South Platte is not very deep. It is not commercially navigable as a result, which is typical of many western rivers. However, development has sprung up along this corridor, partially due to the presence of Interstate 76. In fact, the South Platte River valley even has its own U.S. route, U.S. 138, between Sterling and Big Spring, Nebraska.
Interstate 76 in Colorado also boasts one of the longest business routes in the country, Business Loop I-76 along U.S. 6 from Fort Morgan northeast to Sterling.
Index
Interstate 76 is divided into the following pages:
The following chart shows the dates on which each section of Interstate 76 was opened, from the western terminus in Denver to the Nebraska State Line.
Description
Date
Distance (Approximate)
From Interstate 70 and Colorado 121 ( Wadsworth Boulevard ) east to Colorado 95 ( Sheridan Boulevard )
December 3, 1985
1.6 miles
From Colorado 95 ( Sheridan Boulevard ) to U.S. 287 ( Federal Boulevard )
November 5, 1987
1.4 miles
From U.S. 287 ( Federal Boulevard ) to Pecos Street
November 1, 1989
1 mile
From Pecos Street east to Interstate 25/U.S. 87
September 15, 1993
1 mile
From Interstate 25/U.S. 87 east to U.S. 85 ( Greeley Highway )
October 11, 1968
4 miles
From U.S. 85 ( Greeley Highway ) to Barr Lake
1966
7 miles
From Barr Lake to Hudson
1966
12 miles
From Hudson to Wiggins
1966
35 miles
Conversion of U.S. 6 on segment near Wiggins into Interstate standards
1977
8 miles
From Wiggins to Fort Morgan
1966
9 miles
From Fort Morgan to Sterling
1966
50 miles
From Sterling northeast to Crook
1966
24 miles
From Crook east to Sedgwick
1970
15 miles
From Sedgwick east to Julesburg
October 24, 1970
15 miles
From Julesburg east to Nebraska State Line
December 1969
4 miles
Construction on what was originally called Interstate 80S began in 1958. Interstate 76 came into existence on January 1, 1976, when Interstate 80S was renumbered as Interstate 76. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, 488 signs were replaced as a result of this numbering change. For more information on the history of Interstate 76, visit Colorado Department of Transportation 50th Anniversary of the Interstate Highway System.
Photos: Eastbound Interstate 76
Interstate 76 East
Interstate 76 begins its eastbound journey in Arvada, where Interstate 70 and Interstate 76 split. Interstate 70 continues due east through metropolitan Denver, while Interstate 76 follows a northeastern route toward Fort Morgan, Sterling, and Julesburg before merging onto Interstate 80 near Big Spring, Nebraska. The Western Interstate 76 acts as a connecting Interstate highway between Interstate 80 and Denver. After the split from Interstate 70, the first four exits are Exit 1B, Junction Colorado 95 (Sheridan Boulevard); Exit 3, Junction U.S. 287 (Federal Boulevard); Exit 4, Pecos Street; and Exit 5, Junction Interstate 25/U.S. 87. The first exit after the Interstate 25 junction is the connection to eastbound Interstate 270 and U.S. 36. Photo taken 08/29/04.
After the Interstate 25 interchange, eastbound Interstate 76 approaches Exit 6, Junction Interstate 270. Although it is signed with the control city of Limon, Interstate 270 stops far short of that city, since it ends at Interstate 270 only four miles southeast of here. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Use Interstate 270 southeast to Interstate 70 east to Peņa Boulevard north to reach Denver International Airport. This is the most direct non-tolled freeway route for traffic coming to the airport from the northwest, although the connection can also be made via the Northwest Parkway and E-470 toll roads if desired. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next three exits on eastbound Interstate 76 are Exit 6, Junction Interstate 270; Exit 8, Junction Colorado 224, 74th Avenue; and Exit 10, 88th Avenue. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The right lane exits only to Interstate 270 eastbound (southbound) from eastbound Interstate 76. At the time this photo was taken, there was no access to Interstate 270 northwest to U.S. 36/Denver-Boulder Turnpike. Prior to 2002, this interchange served as the northwestern terminus of Interstate 270. With the new connection between U.S. 36 and Interstate 270, Interstate 270 was extended to connect those two points. A new ramp from eastbound Interstate 270/U.S. 36 to eastbound Interstate 76 is planned for construction in 2005-2006. Photo taken 08/29/04.
A neutered Interstate 76 shield is posted on eastbound after the Interstate 270/U.S. 36 transition ramp at Exit 6. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next three exits on eastbound Interstate 76 are Exit 8, Junction Colorado 224, 74th Avenue; Exit 10, 88th Avenue; and Exit 11, 96th Avenue. Eastbound Interstate 76 is briefly two lanes wide between Interstate 270 and the merge with U.S. 6-85. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit is Exit 8, Junction Colorado 224, 74th Avenue. Use Colorado 224 west to Welby, Junction Colorado 53, and Junction U.S. 36 to Interstate 25. Use 74th Avenue west to 70th Avenue west to Pecos Street north to 72nd Avenue west to reach the city of Westminster. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Eastbound Interstate 76 reaches Exit 8, Junction Colorado 224, 74th Avenue. There is an Exit 9, which connects westbound Interstate 76 with U.S. 6-85 (Vasquez Boulevard) southbound. However, there is no access to U.S. 6-85 from eastbound Interstate 76. Eastbound U.S. 6 and northbound U.S. 85 silently merge onto eastbound Interstate 76, and the freeway gains an additional (third) lane. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit along eastbound is Exit 10, 88th Avenue. The freeway again widens to six lanes, with three lanes in each direction, after the onramp from U.S. 6-85 brings additional vehicles onto the road. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6-85 reaches Exit 10, 88th Avenue. Use 88th Avenue west to Thornton and east to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit along eastbound is Exit 11, 96th Avenue. Ninety-Sixth Avenue follows the northern boundary of Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, then turns south at Buckley Road near the Rocky Mountain Speedway. Use Buckley Road south to 56th Avenue in Denver City-County or follow 88th Avenue east to Tower Road, which connects to Peņa Boulevard en route to Denver International Airport. Photo taken 08/29/04.
A small roadside sign is the second advance signage for the approaching offramp to 96th Avenue. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Just prior to the offramp for Exit 11 (96th Avenue), the first advance sign for the pending split between Interstate 76/U.S. 6 east and U.S. 85 north is posted. The left two lanes exit onto U.S. 85 north, with the left lane becoming exit only. The two right lanes continue northeast on Interstate 76 and U.S. 6. U.S. 6, in fact, will remain silently merged with Interstate 76 until Fort Morgan, where it will depart via the business route into that city. Photo taken 08/29/04.
U.S. 85 is a major north-south route through Northern Colorado. From here, the highway travels through Brighton, Fort Lupton, Ione, Platteville, Greeley, Eaton, and Ault as an expressway-grade facility. Business routes serve the downtown areas of most cities and towns along the way. This changes north of Ault, where traffic thins substantially, and the highway narrows to two lanes, one in each direction. For the last 20 or so miles in Colorado, U.S. 85 does not pass through any towns. Crossing into Wyoming, U.S. 85 meets up with Interstate 80, Interstate 25, Interstate 180, and U.S. 87 in Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming. Photo taken 08/29/04.
This diagrammatical sign illustrates the lane allocation between U.S. 85 (Exit 12, left exit) and Interstate 25 (right two lanes). The middle lane offers a choice between either U.S. 85 or Interstate 76. This is an older sign (nonreflective) that is slated for replacement. Between the U.S. 85 interchange and Fort Morgan, Interstate 76 separates from the South Platte River. The South Platte River follows U.S. 85 north to Greeley, then turns east along U.S. 34 and Colorado 144 to Fort Morgan. Photo taken 08/29/04.
After the U.S. 85 interchange, Interstate 76 sheds all but two lanes in each direction. This will be the common configuration of Interstate 76 for most of the rest of its route in Colorado. The mileage sign indicates the distance from here to Fort Morgan (66 miles) and Brush (76 miles). Photo taken 08/29/04.
The speed limit on eastbound Interstate 76 increases to 75 miles per hour only ten miles east of the Interstate 25 interchange. The freeway will remain at this speed limit for much of its journey across Northeastern Colorado. The next exit is Exit 16, which not only connects to Colorado 2, it also provides access to the E-470 toll road via 120th Avenue. Upon exiting the freeway, follow Colorado 2 north to 120th Avenue east to E-470 and Denver International Airport. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit along eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6 is Exit 16, Junction Colorado 2, Sable Boulevard to 120th Avenue/E-470. Colorado 2 begins in Cherry Hills Village at U.S. 285/Hampden Avenue. It follows Colorado Boulevard north through Denver, then merges with U.S. 6-85/Vasquez Boulevard briefly in Commerce City. Northeast of Commerce City, Colorado 2 follows an old alignment of U.S. 6, parallel to the Burlington-Northern Railroad tracks. The old road merges onto Interstate 76 at Exit 16. Photo taken 08/29/04.
This interchange was reconfigured within five years of the date this photo was taken. Previously, there were two exits (Exit 16 to Colorado 2 south and Exit 17 for Sable Boulevard north). Now, Colorado 2 has taken over the length of Sable Boulevard north into Brighton, ending at Colorado 7 (Bridge Street) in that city only a couple blocks east of the Business U.S. 85 (Main Street) intersection with Colorado 7. At the same time the interchange was reconfigured, the former designation of Sable Boulevard (Colorado 51) was decommissioned, and the Colorado 2 designation was extended north to Brighton. So, this makes Colorado 2 an alternate route to U.S. 85 between Commerce City and Brighton. Eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6 reaches Exit 16, Junction Colorado 2 to E-470. Photo taken 08/29/04.
There is no direct connection between Interstate 76 east and E-470, the toll road that provides a bypass of the Denver metropolitan area. To connect to E-470, use Exit 16 (Colorado 2/Sable Boulevard) north to 120th Avenue east. There is an interchange between 120th Avenue and E-470. Use E-470 south to Denver International Airport. Here, Interstate 76 passes under the dual carriageway of E-470. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit along eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6 is Exit 20, 136th Avenue. Notice the transition ramp from northbound E-470 to eastbound Interstate 76. These ramps were completed in 2003. There is a provision for a future connection from eastbound E-470 to eastbound Interstate 76. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next three exits along eastbound Interstate 76 are Exit 20, 136th Avenue; Exit 21, 144th Avenue; and Exit 22, Bromley Lane. Photo taken 08/29/04.
This neutered Interstate 76 shield is posted just prior to Exit 20, 136th Avenue. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6 approaches Exit 20, 136th Avenue. Use 136th Avenue east to Barr Lake and to the old alignment of U.S. 6 (named Cameron Drive). To the west, 136th Avenue leads to the southern extremes of Brighton, with connections via Colorado 2 (Sable Boulevard) and U.S. 85. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit along eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6 is Exit 21, 144th Avenue. This is another east-west highway, traveling east to Barr Lake State Park and west to Brighton on a course parallel to that of 136th Avenue. Photo taken 08/29/04.
After the onramp from 136th Avenue, this state-name Interstate 76 shield is posted. Since most reassurance shields were neutered in February 2002, this shield was placed sometime in late 2002 or 2003. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next three exits along eastbound Interstate 76 are Exit 21, 144th Avenue; Exit 22, Bromley Lane; and Exit 25, Baseline Road (Adams-Weld County Line). Photo taken 08/29/04.
Eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6 reaches Exit 21, 144th Avenue. The trees to the right (southeast) are part of Barr Lake State Park. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Now passing over 144th Avenue, the next exit along eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6 is Exit 22, Bromley Lane. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Bromley Lane also connects to Barr Lake State Park; it approaches the park from the northeast, offering access to the dam and most recreational areas via Bromley Lane east to Piccadilly Road south. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next three exits along eastbound Interstate 76 are Exit 22, Bromley Lane/152nd Avenue; Exit 25, Baseline Road/town of Lochbuie (Adams-Weld County Line); and Exit 31, Junction Colorado 52. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6 reaches Exit 22, Bromley Lane. Use Bromley Lane west to Brighton. To Colorado 7/Bridge Street (160th Avenue) westbound, use Bromley Lane west to Himalaya Street north. Photo taken 08/29/04.
This mileage sign provides the distance Lochbuie (next town on Interstate 76 east), Fort Morgan (control city), and Julesburg (near eastern terminus). Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit along eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6 is Exit 25, Baseline Road. Baseline Road serves as the county line between Adams County and Weld County. Use Baseline Road west to the north frontage road to enter Lochbuie, a town in Weld County that touches but does not cross the county line. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The Lochbuie interchange is a diamond interchange, with Interstate 76 passing under Baseline Road. Lochbuie is a relatively small town of 2,049 people per the 2000 Census. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Interstate 76/U.S. 6 leaves Adams County and enters Weld County, a large county with 3,999 square miles of land. It reaches as far north as Wyoming and as far south as Adams County. Greeley, located at the intersection of U.S. 85 and U.S. 34, is the seat of Weld County. Photo taken 08/29/04.
A repaving project was underway between the county line and Hudson at the time this photo was taken. Now five miles northeast of the county line, the next exit along eastbound is Exit 31, Junction Colorado 52/Main Street. This is the primary interchange that serves Hudson. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The Town of Hudson is located at 5,024 feet above sea level, and it is one of the several dozen incorporated towns in Weld County. Founded in 1887, Hudson began as a stopping point along the Burlington Northern Railroad, which parallels Interstate 76 from Denver all the way to Nebraska. The sign on the freeway states Hudson is a city; the website says it is a town. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6 reaches Exit 31, Junction Colorado 52/Main Street in Hudson. Follow Colorado 52 east to Prospect Valley and Wiggins. To the west, Colorado 52 connects with U.S. 85 at Fort Lupton, Interstate 25 near Dacono, U.S. 287 south of Longmont, and Colorado 119 (Diagonal Highway) near Niwot. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit along eastbound is Exit 34, Junction Weld County Route 49, Kersey Road. Kersey Road travels north to Kersey (Junction U.S. 34) east of Greeley. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6 reaches Exit 34, Junction Weld County Route 49, Kersey Road. The bridge to the right of the interchange offers a grade separation between the Burlington Northern Railroad and Weld County Route 16. To connect with Weld County Route 49 southbound, one must use the south frontage road southwest to Weld County Route 16, which travels under the railroad. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit along eastbound is Exit 39, Market Street in the town of Keenesburg. Use Market Street south to Woodward Avenue east to Weld County Route 59 south to Colorado 52. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The Town of Keenesburg is home to approximately 500 people, and its motto is "Where a handshake is still part of doing business." Eastbound Interstate 76/U.S. 6 reaches Exit 39, Market Street in Keenesburg. Sections of Old U.S. 6/Colorado 2 follow the north side of the railroad, which passes through town. Old U.S. 6 appears to have followed Weld County Route 398 northeast of Keenesburg. Photo taken 08/29/04.
After passing through Keenesburg, Interstate 76 passes through a flowered field commonly found in the high plains during the warm summer months. Photo taken 08/29/04.
A few trees, which have been sparse since leaving Denver, pop up in the median as Interstate 76/U.S. 6 approaches the next exit, Exit 48, Junction To Weld County Route 398 to Roggen. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Use Exit 48 to reach Roggen, another small town in Weld County. From the diamond interchange, turn south to reach the frontage road (Weld County Route 398) and enter the town of Roggen. Photo taken 08/29/04.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Wiggins, Fort Morgan, and Sterling. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Now at Milepost 56, it is amazing to see how vast and open the Northern Colorado Plains are when compared to the urban density found in Denver to the southwest of here. A rest area is located near Milepost 66, about ten miles east of here. Photo taken 08/29/04.
The next exit, which only gets one advance sign, is Exit 57, Junction Weld County Route 91. Turn northwest onto Weld County Route 91 to follow the north frontage road briefly, then turn north on Weld County Route 91 for a connection to U.S. 34 near Masters just west of Empire Reservoir. Photo taken 08/29/04.
Following Exit 57, the next exit is Exit 60, Junction To Colorado 144 north to Empire Reservoir, U.S. 34, Orchard, and Goodrich. Colorado 144 follows the north frontage road briefly, then turns north toward the reservoir. Colorado 144 is an odd state route, as it is shaped almost like an upside-down "U." It ends in Fort Morgan, but it takes a circuitous route through Orchard, Goodrich, Weldona, and Log Lane Village along the South Platte River. Photo taken 08/29/04.
