Well, as of two years ago.
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_19399717
http://www.ourcoloradonews.com/elbert/newsreleases/pavement-on-kiowa-bennett-road-completed/article_159fe33a-2b79-11e1-949b-001871e3ce6c.html
As described in http://www.mesalek.com/colo/r60-79.html#79 this completes an eastern bypass of Denver from I-76 at Roggen to US 24 (and you can continue down Peyton Highway around Colorado Teabags to I-25 exit 122).
Why not use CO-71? That was in rough shape a few years ago but is now a good route between I-76 and U.S.24 at Limon.
Quote from: The High Plains Traveler on November 10, 2013, 10:43:27 PM
Why not use CO-71? That was in rough shape a few years ago but is now a good route between I-76 and U.S.24 at Limon.
Depends where you're coming from. SH 79 is better accessible from Greeley and the north.
If your goal is to avoid traveling through territory inhabited by the ultra- or paleo-conservative population, I would sure avoid Peyton Highway. Eastern El Paso County makes urban Colorado Springs look like Boulder.