Where the Pavement Ends, Colorado Begins!

Published December 28, 2023

Lonely, neglected and often overlooked.

Every state has its share of homes, barns, and homesteads that have been abandoned and left to Mother Nature’s wrath. Colorado is no exception. The early residents were faced with reality of living in the harsh conditions of the Rockies and high plains. The structures are a reminder of their efforts to make a go of it in Colorado.

I have a great time photographing the old structures. I know the photos are “not for everyone”, but that’s not the point. There’s is a tie between the early settlers and current residents. It is a struggle to live in and around the Rockies. Efforts are balanced between the risks and rewards.

Over the past few months, I’ve made several exploratory excursions around “my” broadening region. I often think of the day trips as my “Sunday drives”. If given a choice, I typically opt to explore the new and unknown down a dirt or gravel road versus one of the region’s aspahlt roadways. Thankfully, I am usually not in a big hurry! When I see one of the old relics, and when I can find a safe place to pull over, I try to take a few shots. Sometimes a “few” is actually a lot!

The gallery below also contains photos of a few active farms and facilities. They are old⏤but not abandoned. The photos are a testament to the human spirit and willingness to fight through adversity.

Some of the photos in the gallery were taken on my fall trips to and from the Million Dollar Highway, while other were taken along the many backroads found to my east and northeast. Small towns like Grover, Eaton, Lucerne, and Keota are found in Colorado’s windswept high plains. There’s still a lot to explore!