For fourteen years Shep lived at the tollbooth of the Boulder-Denver Turnpike. He is still loved and missed.
Part Shepherd, Mostly Affection
Though many loved the pup who appeared in 1950, where he came from remains a mystery. One story is that workers found the black and white dog while constructing the Boulder-Denver Turnpike tollbooths and befriended him. Once U.S. 36 opened, tollbooth operators adopted Shep and he settled into a life of greeting cars and keeping tollmen company.
Shep quickly became the most popular attraction on the new highway and the highlight of many drives. Families, salesman, and daily commuters would bring him food and treats. He became an unofficial mascot for Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)—a painted portrait of Shep still hangs in their offices.
When Shep died in 1964, highway maintenance workers buried him along the side of the road and soon after an anonymous person began decorating his grave during the holidays.
In 2009, due to planned construction on an onramp, CDOT and City and County of Broomfield workers moved Shep's grave next to Broomfield Depot Museum in Zang Spur Park. Today fans visit his memorial and dogs and their people stop to pay respects.
