Pubdate: Sat, 11 Jan 2014
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: John Ingold

420 MILE MARKER A VICTIM OF POT CULTURE

After thefts of signs, CDOT highway indicator says 419.99

There are 450 miles of Interstate 70 from west to east in Colorado, 
but Mile 420 ain't one.

After sticky-fingered stoners repeatedly swiped the marker for the 
420th mile, the state Department of Transportation resorted to 
desperate measures. Colorado, say hello to Mile 419.99.

CDOT spokeswoman Amy Ford confirmed Friday that a photo of the 
unusual milemarker sign floating around the Internet is real. She 
said the fractional sign was put up within the past year. The Google 
Street View image for the 420th mile of I-70- along a desolate 
stretch of prairie just east of Stratton - still shows a Mile 420 
marker. It didn't stay there for long. "Obviously people steal these 
signs," Ford said. "In the past, if a sign was stolen too much, we 
wouldn't replace it. This is sort of an innovative way for us to keep 
the sign there."

The term "420" is embraced by marijuana enthusiasts around the 
country as a signifier of cannabis culture, often celebrated on April 
2o. In sports terms, 420 is the "Roll Tide" of weed.

That association makes Mile 420 signs apparently popular among 
pilfering potheads, Ford said. Few highways run long enough in 
Colorado to merit such a sign. Two that do, U.S. 40 near Hugo and 
U.S. 50 near McClave, have no signs marking their 420th miles, 
according to Google Street View images.

This is not the only time, though, that CDOT has had to thwart cheeky 
crooks. Ford said CDOT placed a Mile 68.5 sign near the summit of 
Cameron Pass, west of Fort Collins. Bawdy bandits kept taking the Mile 69 sign.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom