I-70 Signage Change: Colfax Exits Replaced by Piccadilly Road

Colorado Department of Transportation has removed all references to Colfax Avenue from Interstate 70 exit signs in Aurora, replacing them with signage for Picadilly Road. The change reflects a new interchange designed to improve traffic flow between the interstate and developing areas north and south of the highway. This shift has prompted complaints from drivers who associate Colfax as Denver's primary thoroughfare.

Historically, East Colfax Avenue functioned as a business loop connecting directly to I-70. Drivers traveling east on Colfax transitioned directly onto the interstate, while a dedicated left-side exit on westbound I-70 allowed traffic to exit onto Colfax Avenue. Business loops were originally constructed to provide access to city centers that were bypassed by newer interstate routes. The Colfax designation served this purpose for decades before the infrastructure was modernized.

The new Picadilly interchange now handles the traffic that previously used the Colfax exit and entrance. CDOT explains that the signage references Picadilly Road because it is the name of the new exit point. This road leads south to a separate Picadilly/Colfax interchange. The City of Aurora maintains the new interchange and is responsible for installing any additional signage that might reference Colfax. City officials indicate that adding new signs is unlikely due to the cost of installation.

Drivers and navigation systems are adapting to the new configuration. Traffic expert Jayson Luber tested Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze to verify how these platforms handle the route. All three systems successfully guided him to the new Colfax/Picadilly interchange from I-70. Luber noted that local residents are already familiar with the route, and the GPS systems have been updated to reflect the new interchange names.

The transition highlights the friction between established street names and new infrastructure. While Colfax Avenue retains its cultural and historical significance as a main street, the physical entry point to the area from I-70 is now identified as Picadilly Road. The city is not planning to spend funds on dual signage that would reference both names at the I-70 exit.

No immediate changes to the signage are scheduled. The new interchange remains the primary access point for traffic moving between I-70 and the Colfax corridor. Drivers are expected to continue using Picadilly Road as the reference point for navigation until further infrastructure updates are completed.