Colorado State Highway 119
Encyclopedia
State Highway 119 is a 63.7 mi (102.5 km) long state highway
in north central Colorado
. It extends in a southwest to northeast direction, from a junction with US Route 6 in Clear Creek Canyon between Golden
and Idaho Springs
to a junction with I-25 east of Longmont
.
The southwest portion of the road is a scenic mountain drive providing dramatic vistas of the Front Range
, while the northeast portion is a busy interurban thoroughfare. The city of Boulder
separates these two vastly different sections of Route 119.
in Clear Creek
Canyon between Golden
and Idaho Springs
. It then heads north, alongside North Clear Creek, to the gambling town of Blackhawk; this section of the road carries heavy traffic to the casinos of Blackhawk and Central City
and experiences many accidents.
It continues north from Blackhawk as the Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway, skirting the western edge of Golden Gate Canyon State Park
where it intersects Colorado State Highway 46
. It continues north through the village of Gilpin Center to Rollinsville
, where it crosses over South Boulder Creek and the tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad
, on its way from Denver
to the Moffat Tunnel
. East Portal Road in Rollinsville provides access to the east portal of the railroad tunnel, and to the Moffat Road historic railroad grade across Rollins Pass
. Route 119 continues northward, intersecting Colorado State Highway 72
with which it will be concurrent to Nederland
. It provides access to the Eldora Mountain Resort ski area, about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Nederland. In Nederland, routes 119 and 72 diverge at a roundabout
intersection where Route 72 takes the Peak to Peak Highway designation with it to the north, and Route 119 turns to the east. Leaving Nederland, Route 119 passes along the northern shore of Barker Meadow Reservoir and enters the scenic Boulder Canyon, alongside Boulder Creek
. In the canyon, the road experiences grades of up to 10%, which can be dangerous for heavy trucks heading downhill, as it does not have a runaway truck ramp
. The walls of the canyon are popular for rock climbing
, and the scenic Boulder Falls is an easy walk from the highway.
At the mouth of the canyon, Route 119 suddenly enters Boulder
as Canyon Boulevard, intersecting Colorado State Highway 93
at Broadway, and turning north on 28th Street where it begins concurrency with US Route 36 and with unsigned Colorado State Highway 7
. This busy section of State 119 and US 36 on 28th Street serves Boulder's main shopping area. The overlap with US 36 ends at the northern edge of Boulder where US 36 continues north to Rocky Mountain National Park
, and Route 119 turns east becoming Diagonal Highway. At an intersection with Colorado State Highway 157
, Route 119 bends northeast, paralleling the tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
, and becomes an expressway
with a very wide median, possibly intended to accommodate a future freeway. At Niwot
it passes a very large facility for the IBM Corporation
at an intersection with Colorado State Highway 52
. The Diagonal Highway expressway ends in Longmont
, as Route 119 becomes Ken Pratt Blvd. and intersects US Route 287. East of US 287 in Longmont, a new expressway carries Route 119 directly to its northeastern terminus at a diamond interchange
at Interstate 25 exit 240.
to Boulder
. It went up Virginia Canyon on the aptly named Oh My God Road, and then through Central City
to Blackhawk. This section from Idaho Springs to Blackhawk was changed to the present, easier alignment in 1938. In 1939 it was extended from Boulder to Longmont
, zig-zagging along existing county roads. By 1960 it had been completely paved and straightened on a diagonal route (hence the name "Diagonal Highway") alongside the railroad tracks between Boulder and Longmont. When Interstate 25
was built east of Longmont by 1963, Route 119 was extended by overlapping US 287 to Third Avenue, where it replaced the previous Route 254 to connect to I-25. In 1998, the somewhat confusing triangle intersection with US 6 was simplified to a T intersection controlled by a traffic signal, and the west side of the triangle was abandoned and its tunnel boarded up. In 2003, a new expressway
alignment for Route 119 was opened in Longmont, connecting directly from its intersection with US 287 to its terminus at I-25, bypassing the previous congested overlap with US 287.
is planned for the very busy intersection with SH 52 to ease the congestion at the large IBM facility.
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Destination
!Notes
|-
|Jefferson
|
|0.000
|
|
|-
|Gilpin
|
|12.492
|
|
|-
|rowspan=8|Boulder
|
|22.748
|
|Southern end of SH 72 overlap
|-
|Nederland
|25.754
|
|Northern end of SH 72 overlap
|-
|rowspan=4|Boulder
|41.892
|
|
|-
|44.237
|
|Southern end of US 36 overlap (SH 7 signed here)
|-
|45.574
|
|Northern end of US 36 overlap (SH 7 unsigned here)
|-
|45.766
|
|-
|Niwot
|49.543
|
|Major IBM
facility
|-
|Longmont
|56.202
|
|
|-
|Weld
|
|63.700
|
|
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in north central Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. It extends in a southwest to northeast direction, from a junction with US Route 6 in Clear Creek Canyon between Golden
Golden, Colorado
The City of Golden is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Golden lies along Clear Creek at the edge of the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush on 16 June 1859, the mining camp was...
and Idaho Springs
Idaho Springs, Colorado
The City of Idaho Springs is a municipality in the U.S. state of Colorado that is the most populous settlement in Clear Creek County, Colorado. Idaho Springs is located in Clear Creek Canyon, in the mountains upstream from Golden, some thirty miles west of Denver...
to a junction with I-25 east of Longmont
Longmont, Colorado
Longmont is a Home Rule Municipality in Boulder and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Longmont is located in Northern Colorado. Longmont is the 13th most populous city in the State of Colorado. The word "Longmont" comes from Longs Peak, a prominent mountain named for explorer Stephen H....
.
The southwest portion of the road is a scenic mountain drive providing dramatic vistas of the Front Range
Front Range
The Front Range is a mountain range of the Southern Rocky Mountains of North America located in the north-central portion of the U.S. State of Colorado and southeastern portion of the U.S. State of Wyoming. It is the first mountain range encountered moving west along the 40th parallel north across...
, while the northeast portion is a busy interurban thoroughfare. The city of Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
separates these two vastly different sections of Route 119.
Route description
Highway 119 begins at a signalized T intersection with US Route 6U.S. Route 6 in Colorado
In the U.S. state of Colorado, U.S. Route 6 is an east–west highway stretching from Colorado to Nebraska. Much of the route overlaps other highways in Colorado, and as a result, much of US 6 is unsigned.- Route description :...
in Clear Creek
Clear Creek (Colorado)
Clear Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River, approximately long, in north central Colorado in the United States. The creek flows through Clear Creek Canyon in the Rocky Mountains directly west of Denver, descending through a long gorge to emerge on the Colorado Eastern Plains where it...
Canyon between Golden
Golden, Colorado
The City of Golden is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Golden lies along Clear Creek at the edge of the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush on 16 June 1859, the mining camp was...
and Idaho Springs
Idaho Springs, Colorado
The City of Idaho Springs is a municipality in the U.S. state of Colorado that is the most populous settlement in Clear Creek County, Colorado. Idaho Springs is located in Clear Creek Canyon, in the mountains upstream from Golden, some thirty miles west of Denver...
. It then heads north, alongside North Clear Creek, to the gambling town of Blackhawk; this section of the road carries heavy traffic to the casinos of Blackhawk and Central City
Central City, Colorado
Central City is a home rule municipality in Clear Creek and Gilpin counties in the U.S. state of Colorado, and the county seat of Gilpin County. The city population was 515 in the 2000 United States Census...
and experiences many accidents.
It continues north from Blackhawk as the Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway, skirting the western edge of Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a Colorado State Park located in Gilpin and Jefferson counties northwest of Golden, Colorado. The Front Range park established in 1960 has of hiking trails. Horse and bicycle travel is allowed on...
where it intersects Colorado State Highway 46
Colorado State Highway 46
State Highway 46 is a highway in Colorado that connects Golden Gate Canyon State Park to Colorado State Highway 119 near Black Hawk.-Route description:...
. It continues north through the village of Gilpin Center to Rollinsville
Rollinsville, Colorado
Rollinsville is a census-designated place and a U.S. Post Office located in Gilpin County, Colorado, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 181.It is located in the mountains southwest of the city of Boulder, on the flank of a hill above South Boulder Creek along State Highway 119...
, where it crosses over South Boulder Creek and the tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
, on its way from Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
to the Moffat Tunnel
Moffat Tunnel
The Moffat Tunnel is a railroad and water tunnel that cuts through the Continental Divide in north-central Colorado. Named after Colorado railroad pioneer David Moffat, the tunnel's first railroad traffic passed through in February 1928....
. East Portal Road in Rollinsville provides access to the east portal of the railroad tunnel, and to the Moffat Road historic railroad grade across Rollins Pass
Rollins Pass
Rollins Pass is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains of north-central Colorado in the United States. The pass is located on the continental divide at the crest of the Front Range southwest of Boulder, at the boundary of Grand and Boulder counties.-Description:Rollins Pass Rollins Pass (el....
. Route 119 continues northward, intersecting Colorado State Highway 72
Colorado State Highway 72
State Highway 72 is a long state highway passing through the foothills and the eastern edge of the Front Range.-Route description:The route is a mainly rural, scenic, mountainous highway; not having many junctions. It begins at I-70 in Wheat Ridge as Ward Road. It continues north through the...
with which it will be concurrent to Nederland
Nederland, Colorado
The Town of Nederland is a Statutory Town established in 1885 located near the Continental Divide and Barker Meadow Reservoir in the mountains of southwest Boulder County, Colorado....
. It provides access to the Eldora Mountain Resort ski area, about 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Nederland. In Nederland, routes 119 and 72 diverge at a roundabout
Roundabout
A roundabout is the name for a road junction in which traffic moves in one direction around a central island. The word dates from the early 20th century. Roundabouts are common in many countries around the world...
intersection where Route 72 takes the Peak to Peak Highway designation with it to the north, and Route 119 turns to the east. Leaving Nederland, Route 119 passes along the northern shore of Barker Meadow Reservoir and enters the scenic Boulder Canyon, alongside Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek (Colorado)
Boulder Creek is a creek draining the Rocky Mountains to the west of Boulder, Colorado, as well as the city itself and surrounding plains.- Route :...
. In the canyon, the road experiences grades of up to 10%, which can be dangerous for heavy trucks heading downhill, as it does not have a runaway truck ramp
Runaway truck ramp
A runaway truck ramp, runaway truck lane, emergency escape ramp or truck arrester bed is a traffic device that enables vehicles that are having braking problems to safely stop. It is typically a long, sand or gravel-filled lane adjacent to a road with a steep grade, and is designed to accommodate...
. The walls of the canyon are popular for rock climbing
Rock climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
, and the scenic Boulder Falls is an easy walk from the highway.
At the mouth of the canyon, Route 119 suddenly enters Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
as Canyon Boulevard, intersecting Colorado State Highway 93
Colorado State Highway 93
State Highway 93 is a highway in Colorado that connects Golden and Boulder.-Route description:SH 93 runs , starting at its southern junction with U.S. Highway 6 at the entrance to Clear Creek Canyon in Golden...
at Broadway, and turning north on 28th Street where it begins concurrency with US Route 36 and with unsigned Colorado State Highway 7
Colorado State Highway 7
State Highway 7 in the U.S. state of Colorado is a state highway. Approximately long, it is located in the north-central portion of the state, traversing the mountains on the east of the continental divide south of Estes Park as well as portions of the Colorado Piedmont north of Denver...
. This busy section of State 119 and US 36 on 28th Street serves Boulder's main shopping area. The overlap with US 36 ends at the northern edge of Boulder where US 36 continues north to Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is a national park located in the north-central region of the U.S. state of Colorado.It features majestic mountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climates and environments—from wooded forests to mountain tundra—and easy access to back-country trails...
, and Route 119 turns east becoming Diagonal Highway. At an intersection with Colorado State Highway 157
Colorado State Highway 157
State Highway 157 is a long state highway in Boulder, Colorado. SH 157 is also known as Foothills Parkway in Boulder's city street naming system.-Route description:...
, Route 119 bends northeast, paralleling the tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
, and becomes an expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
with a very wide median, possibly intended to accommodate a future freeway. At Niwot
Niwot, Colorado
Niwot is a census-designated place in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. The population was 4,160 at the 2000 census. The Niwot Post Office has the ZIP Code 80544....
it passes a very large facility for the IBM Corporation
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
at an intersection with Colorado State Highway 52
Colorado State Highway 52
State Highway 52 is a long state highway in northeastern Colorado.-Route description:SH 52 begins near Niwot, winding east from its western terminus past US 287 to I-25, near the towns of Dacono, Frederick, and Firestone The highway has interchanges with US 85, then continues east to I-76 in Hudson...
. The Diagonal Highway expressway ends in Longmont
Longmont, Colorado
Longmont is a Home Rule Municipality in Boulder and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Longmont is located in Northern Colorado. Longmont is the 13th most populous city in the State of Colorado. The word "Longmont" comes from Longs Peak, a prominent mountain named for explorer Stephen H....
, as Route 119 becomes Ken Pratt Blvd. and intersects US Route 287. East of US 287 in Longmont, a new expressway carries Route 119 directly to its northeastern terminus at a diamond interchange
Diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
at Interstate 25 exit 240.
History
Route 119 was established in the 1920s, extending from Idaho SpringsIdaho Springs, Colorado
The City of Idaho Springs is a municipality in the U.S. state of Colorado that is the most populous settlement in Clear Creek County, Colorado. Idaho Springs is located in Clear Creek Canyon, in the mountains upstream from Golden, some thirty miles west of Denver...
to Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
. It went up Virginia Canyon on the aptly named Oh My God Road, and then through Central City
Central City, Colorado
Central City is a home rule municipality in Clear Creek and Gilpin counties in the U.S. state of Colorado, and the county seat of Gilpin County. The city population was 515 in the 2000 United States Census...
to Blackhawk. This section from Idaho Springs to Blackhawk was changed to the present, easier alignment in 1938. In 1939 it was extended from Boulder to Longmont
Longmont, Colorado
Longmont is a Home Rule Municipality in Boulder and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Longmont is located in Northern Colorado. Longmont is the 13th most populous city in the State of Colorado. The word "Longmont" comes from Longs Peak, a prominent mountain named for explorer Stephen H....
, zig-zagging along existing county roads. By 1960 it had been completely paved and straightened on a diagonal route (hence the name "Diagonal Highway") alongside the railroad tracks between Boulder and Longmont. When Interstate 25
Interstate 25
Interstate 25 is an Interstate Highway in the western United States. It is primarily a north–south highway. I-25 stretches from Interstate 10 at Las Cruces, New Mexico, , to Interstate 90 in Buffalo, Wyoming, .Interstate 25 is the main north–south expressway through...
was built east of Longmont by 1963, Route 119 was extended by overlapping US 287 to Third Avenue, where it replaced the previous Route 254 to connect to I-25. In 1998, the somewhat confusing triangle intersection with US 6 was simplified to a T intersection controlled by a traffic signal, and the west side of the triangle was abandoned and its tunnel boarded up. In 2003, a new expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
alignment for Route 119 was opened in Longmont, connecting directly from its intersection with US 287 to its terminus at I-25, bypassing the previous congested overlap with US 287.
Future
CDOT plans various safety upgrades for the section between US 6 and Blackhawk. A diamond interchangeDiamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
is planned for the very busy intersection with SH 52 to ease the congestion at the large IBM facility.
Major intersections
{| class=wikitable!County
!Location
!Mile
!Destination
!Notes
|-
|Jefferson
Jefferson County, Colorado
Jefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver....
|
|0.000
|
|
|-
|Gilpin
Gilpin County, Colorado
Gilpin County is the second least extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Gilpin County was named after Colonel William Gilpin, the first Governor of the Territory of Colorado. The county population was 4,757 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Central City...
|
|12.492
|
|
|-
|rowspan=8|Boulder
Boulder County, Colorado
Boulder County is the sixth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county seat is Boulder. The most populous municipality in the county and the county seat is the City of Boulder...
|
|22.748
|
|Southern end of SH 72 overlap
|-
|Nederland
Nederland, Colorado
The Town of Nederland is a Statutory Town established in 1885 located near the Continental Divide and Barker Meadow Reservoir in the mountains of southwest Boulder County, Colorado....
|25.754
|
|Northern end of SH 72 overlap
|-
|rowspan=4|Boulder
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
|41.892
|
|
|-
|44.237
|
|Southern end of US 36 overlap (SH 7 signed here)
|-
|45.574
|
|Northern end of US 36 overlap (SH 7 unsigned here)
|-
|45.766
|
|-
|Niwot
Niwot, Colorado
Niwot is a census-designated place in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. The population was 4,160 at the 2000 census. The Niwot Post Office has the ZIP Code 80544....
|49.543
|
|Major IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
facility
|-
|Longmont
Longmont, Colorado
Longmont is a Home Rule Municipality in Boulder and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Longmont is located in Northern Colorado. Longmont is the 13th most populous city in the State of Colorado. The word "Longmont" comes from Longs Peak, a prominent mountain named for explorer Stephen H....
|56.202
|
|
|-
|Weld
Weld County, Colorado
As of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
|
|63.700
|
|
External links
- Peak to Peak Scenic and Historic Byway http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/scenic-byways/north-central/peak-to-peak