Colorado 75 follows Platte Canyon Road, Bowles, Littleton Boulevard, and Broadway through the southern suburbs of Denver. The section of Colorado 75 through downtown Littleton (basically between U.S. 85/Santa Fe Drive and Broadway) was decommissioned in the 1990s or early 2000s, but signs pointing to the continuation of the route exist sporadically along Littleton Boulevard east of downtown Littleton.
Colorado 75 North/East
Colorado 75 begins at the interchange between Platte Canyon Road and Colorado 470, then travels north along Platte Canyon Road to Bowles Avenue. From that intersection, pictured here looking east on Bowles Avenue, Colorado 75 turns east to follow Bowles Avenue toward its eventual rendezvous with U.S. 85, Santa Fe Drive. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Continuing east, Colorado 75 (which is basically unsigned anywhere on eastbound between Platte Canyon Road and Santa Fe Drive) meets Federal Boulevard. After this intersection, Colorado 75 will cross the South Platte River. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Eastbound Colorado 75/Bowles Avenue crosses the South Platte River. The junction with U.S. 85 is visible at the top of the hill in the distance, near the larger building that represents downtown Littleton. The city of Littleton was founded in 1890 with an original population of 245 residents. By the centennial in 1990, the population of Littleton had grown to 33,661 people. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Colorado 75 meets its end at U.S. 85/Santa Fe Drive; no signs indicate that this is the end of the southern segment of Colorado 75. Bowles Avenue continues across Santa Fe Drive as a city street into downtown Littleton. To continue east along, Colorado 75, continue east on Bowles Avenue. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Now entering downtown Littleton, Bowles Avenue splits into two one-way streets: Alamo Avenue eastbound and Main Street westbound. The couplet unifies after crossing the Santa Fe Railroad tracks (east of downtown) as Littleton Boulevard. This picture shows eastbound Alamo Avenue (Former Colorado 75) at Prince Street. Photo taken 11/12/05.
As Alamo Avenue crosses the railroad tracks, the Arapahoe County Courthouse comes into view. Built in 1907 and 1908, the courthouse was dedicated on January 17, 1908. Although it briefly fell out of use between 1987 and 1998, it was restored and opened for use again as a governmental building (the Municipal Courthouse) on May 13, 2000. Photo taken 11/12/05.
After passing the courthouse, Alamo Avenue merges with Main Street to form Littleton Boulevard. A series of strip malls and commercial areas ensue, with a wide variety of services available. Littleton Boulevard is still locally maintained, but it is the connection between the two disconnected sections of Colorado 75. Note that there are no Colorado 75 shields anywhere along this route. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Upon reaching Broadway, Colorado 75 is again signed and resumes as a northbound route. It will follow Broadway from Littleton Boulevard until the intersection with Rafferty Gardens Avenue, effectively making this section of Colorado 75 disconnected from the rest of the state highway system. The state highway is fully signed on this short, less than half-mile stretch of Broadway. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Car dealerships, strip malls, restaurants, and antique stores line this stretch of Broadway, which is still within the city of Littleton. The route is signed here with a reassurance shield for Colorado 75. Photo taken 11/12/05.
A six-lane highway, Colorado 75 has turn lanes into the various shopping outlets. The downtown Denver skyline emerges in the distance as a large storm moves into the metropolitan area, thus making the horizon dark. The state highway only continues a short distance further before ending at Rafferty Gardens Avenue. Photo taken 11/12/05.
