Colorado Changed Mile Marker 420 to 419.99

Colorado's Mile Marker 420 Became 419.99 to Stop Thieves

2k views·Posted 11 years ago·Updated 5 days ago

Somewhere along Interstate 70 near Stratton, Colorado, drivers encounter something peculiar: a highway sign reading "Mile 419.99." Not Mile 420. Not Mile 419. Exactly 419.99—like someone couldn't quite commit to rounding up.

This oddly specific number isn't a surveying error. It's the Colorado Department of Transportation's creative solution to chronic sign theft.

The 420 Problem

In marijuana culture, 420 has special significance—it's slang for cannabis consumption, particularly on April 20th (4/20). This made Colorado's Mile 420 sign irresistible to souvenir hunters, especially after the state legalized recreational marijuana in 2012.

The sign vanished repeatedly. Each replacement cost taxpayers money, and the empty post created confusion for drivers trying to navigate. CDOT needed a solution that wouldn't require constant replacements.

The Decimal Workaround

In 2013, transportation officials installed "Mile 419.99" instead. The logic was simple: the sign technically marks the same location, but the fractional number makes it less appealing as a trophy. Who wants to steal a math problem?

The strategy drew inspiration from Washington State, which faced similar issues with its Mile 420 marker on State Route 20. Other states have tried different approaches—some install extra-secure bolts, others simply don't replace stolen signs.

Colorado also moved its Mile 69 marker half a mile down the road and relabeled it Mile 68.5, preventing theft of another number with juvenile appeal.

Plot Twist: They Stole It Anyway

The decimal deterrent worked... for a while. The 419.99 sign attracted international media attention in January 2014 after CDOT tweeted about it, making it famous in its own right.

Eventually, collectors started stealing the replacement sign too. As of 2019, the Mile 419.99 marker had been missing since 2017. You can't win.

The saga illustrates a universal truth about human nature: tell people something is un-stealable, and they'll steal it just to prove you wrong. Colorado's decimal solution has become more famous than the original problem, turning a bureaucratic workaround into a roadside legend.

The sign remains a popular photo opportunity when it's actually in place—which is increasingly rare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the number 420 associated with marijuana?

420 is slang in cannabis culture referring to marijuana consumption, with particular significance on April 20th (4/20). The term originated in 1970s California and became widely adopted in marijuana subculture.

Where is the Mile 419.99 sign located in Colorado?

The Mile 419.99 sign is located on Interstate 70 near Stratton, Colorado, in the eastern part of the state. It replaced the original Mile 420 marker.

Did changing the sign to 419.99 stop people from stealing it?

Initially yes, but eventually the 419.99 sign became famous and was stolen too. As of 2019, the replacement sign had been missing since 2017.

What other mile markers has Colorado changed to prevent theft?

Colorado also moved its Mile 69 marker half a mile and relabeled it as Mile 68.5 to prevent theft of another number with juvenile appeal.

Do other states have problems with Mile 420 signs being stolen?

Yes, Washington State faced similar theft issues with its Mile 420 marker on State Route 20. Most interstates aren't long enough to have a Mile 420 sign, making it relatively rare.

Verified Fact

Colorado DOT did replace mile marker 420 with 419.99 on I-70 near Stratton around 2013-2014. The original sign was repeatedly stolen due to marijuana culture associations with 420. Ironically, the 419.99 sign has also been stolen multiple times, with the sign missing since 2017 as of 2019.