US Route 40
US Route 40 evolved from a footpath to an important road to link the eastern seaboard to the west. In the east a significant part of it is called the “National Road,” which was first funded by Congress when Thomas Jefferson was president.
In the early 20th century, more and more Americans got the bug to travel by car and the US Highway system was built. East-west routes were assigned even numbers, and north-south routes were assigned odd numbers. US Route 40 was the coast-to-coast route that brought travelers from Baltimore, through Denver, and on to San Francisco.
In the 1950’s, when the Interstate Highway system arrived, parts of US 40 were eventually decommissioned and some decay set in. Now, driving along US 40 (aka Colfax Avenue) in Colorado, you will see ever-changing activity, buildings, commerce, and development.
Luckily for Colorado food lovers, there is now a concentration of great places for breakfast on US 40 in Jefferson County. Jeffco, as it’s known locally, stretches 18 miles from east to west, and US 40 (Colfax Avenue) cuts right through it. Jeffco starts on the east at Sheridan Boulevard, the border between the cities of Denver and Lakewood, and continues through Golden and Evergreen to the west.