ColoradoInfo-Bailey-Colorado.jpg

Highway 285 Corridor – Historical Route

Colorado U.S. Route – Highway 285

Highway 285 is a north-south route, running 846 miles through Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. The endpoint in Colorado has always been Denver.

highway 285

Railroad Route – Highway 285

Between Bailey and Nathrop, south of Buena Vista, Colorado, this highway follows the old Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad (D&SPRR) route. Back in the day, this route passed through the historic community of Como, which was the hub for the D&SPRR, and the junction point of three main lines: from Denver to Como across Kenosha Pass; from Como to Leadville via Boreas and Fremont Passes; and from Como to Gunnison and beyond via Trout Creek Pass. This junction was invaluable for transferring ore and people during the Colorado mining era.

All these passes are high mountain pass routes with most elevations above 10,000 feet.

  • Kenosha Pass – 10,001’
  • Boreas Pass – 11,481’
  • Fremont Pass – 11,318’
  • Trout Creek Pass – 9,346’

Pioneer Route – Highway 285

Previous to the railroad era, the 285 route out of Denver to South Park, was a stagecoach route. It was popular with early pioneers looking to stake their claim in the gold and silver mines of that region.

Today, 285 out of Denver is still the major thoroughfare into South Park and continues on to Salida and south into New Mexico. It’s also a very scenic drive with several byways along the way.

 

Choice Property Brokers LTD

43 Mt. Evans Blvd., Pine, CO
303-838-2720
Making real estate decisions can be painful and stressful, but as your mountain/metro brokers, David and Jung Petersmith...
More
to

Sew Subversive

Dec 01

427 E Colorado Ave., Colorado Springs, CO

Throughout human history, textile creations have been perceived as more avocation than art form. Weaving, quilting, knit

More

Shining Mountains Film Festival

Dec 01 - Dec 02

320 E Hyman Ave Aspen, CO

Aspen Indigenous Foundation presents the 5th annual Shining Mountains Film Festival, with feature length and short films

More

Cookie Exchange

Dec 02

Trinidad History Museum, 312 East Main Street, Trinidad, CO

Grab your favorite holiday cookie recipe and get ready to swap for some new treats! Bring 2-3 dozen cookies from your ch

More

Ugly Sweater 5K

Dec 17

Washington Park, Denver, CO

By golly, be jolly! Join us at the Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K at Denver’s Washington Park on Sunday, December 17.

More

Victorian Christmas Tea Party

Dec 23

Trinidad History Museum, 312 East Main Street, Trinidad, CO

Celebrate the season with a Victorian Christmas-inspired tea party! Teas from the Trinidad Tea Company will be served al

More

Brushes & Brews

Dec 27

114 N Tejon St., #100, Colorado Springs, CO

Calling all artists and beer lovers! Join us for a Brushes and Brews class at our brewery on Dec 27 from 6:30pm to 8:30p

More

Foods of the Winter Solstice

Jan 20

123 N. College, Suite 130 Fort Collins, CO

Foods of the Winter Solstice will be presented from noon to 3 pm Saturday, Jan. 20, at The Cooking Studio Fort Collins.

More

Peter & The Wolf – Family Concert

Jan 21

2908 S Timberline Road, Fort Collins, CO

Please join us for a delightful one-hour family-friendly concert for the young and young at heart! This concert features

More

Compagnie Herve Koubi

Jan 23

2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO

French-Algerian dance prodigy Herve Koubi brings his dance company, featuring 14 virtuoso street performers, to perform

More

Dvořák Discovery – Fort Collins Symphony

Feb 03

417 West Magnolia Street, Fort Collins, CO

Discover the roots of American classical music with “Dvořák Discovery.” Dvorak’s beloved 9th Symphony, â

More

Sponsored Content

Scroll to top