Colfax Avenue

Colfax Avenue, the Longest, Wickedest Main Street in America, has a colorful and vibrant history that must be preserved. This site is a gift to the people of Colorado and the World for historical archival purposes. All content can be found through the links in the right hand column or use the search feature in the top left. If you use any content, please credit ColfaxAvenue.org.

 

Please visit the Colfax Avenue exhibit currently on display at History Colorado entitled Forty Years on the 'Fax!

 

Thanks for visiting!

Ranger Motel

 

Pup 'n' Taco

Pup 'n' Taco, 1775 East Colfax, Denver, 1973 - 1985 (photos courtesy of Roger Wendell)

Bill Bayer's Holiday Inn

Courtesy Save the Signs

Bill Bayer's Holiday Inn, 6300 West Colfax Avenue, 1953

 

This ad for Bill Bayer's Holiday Inn appeared in the Fall 1953 edition of the Denver Yellow Pages. There's not much information to be found regarding this nightclub, but there are plenty of newspaper ads from the same period that reference the Turf Club, also listed at 6300 West Colfax. An ad dated August 1, 1953 even lists Bill Bayer as the new owner of the Turf Club. Perhaps he briefly considered changing the name but had second thoughts.

Hanger Neon & Sign Co.

Hanger Neon & Sign Co, 15225 East Colfax Avenue (undated photo courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and scanned by Todd Matuszewicz)

Hanger Neon moved around the city over the years. In the early 1950s, they were located at 1323 Hanover St before moving to 1420 Kingston St. By the 1960s, they were located at 15225 East Colfax. By 1971, they had moved to 2177 West 10th Avenue in Denver.

Kenton Motel

Kenton Motel, 1463 Kenton St, Aurora, Colorado, (sketch courtesy of the Shorty Hanger collection and photographed by Todd Matuszewicz)

Although its sign is long gone and the Kenton Motel no longer exists as a business, the building still stands and the rooms now function as apartments. It's located behind the Radiant Motel on East Colfax and across the street from Jubilee Coffee Roasters.

Berry's Coffee Shop

Berry's Coffee Shop, 7030 West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado, 1957

Berry's operated at this West Colfax address from approximately 1956 to 1963. By 1964, Berry's had moved to a new address at 3010 W 72nd Ave in Westminster. Architect Richard Crowther designed the West Colfax Berry's, making great use of natural light and creating an iconic structure that's sorely missed today.

The restaurant was run by brothers Joe and Jack Berry who reportedly also operated the Copper Kitchen restaurant at 8591 West Colfax. Copper Kitchen was also designed by Richard Crowther.