The Plum Bush Creek Bridge and the Colorado Birding Trail offer two different perspectives on Last Chance: the development of U.S. Highway 36 and designated driving routes to wildlife-watching sites. For travel planning, this makes it possible to distinguish between transportation history and wildlife watching.
The Plum Bush Creek Bridge on Highway 36
The Plum Bush Creek Bridge is located on U.S. Highway 36 near milepost 138.16 in the vicinity of Last Chance. The milepost locates the bridge along the road; the place name establishes its connection to Last Chance.
The bridge is associated with the development of U.S. Highway 36 as an important tourist and commercial route. The route connects Denver and Colorado’s Eastern Plains with communities in Kansas and the Midwest. This brings the broader transportation history of the highway into view, alongside the bridge’s specific location. The information answers two different questions: Where is the bridge, and how is it connected to the route?
Founding and Early Local History
Last Chance was founded in 1925 at the intersection of State Road 102, now U.S. Highway 36, and State Road 71, now Highway 71. Both the former and current road names help put the town’s founding in context. The intersection of U.S. Highway 36 and CO 71 is also a reference point for finding your way around today.
A year later, in 1926, a dairy, a store, and a gas station opened in Last Chance. This timeline distinguishes the town’s founding from the opening of the three businesses the following year. Together, these dates offer a brief glimpse into Last Chance’s early development without collapsing the separate milestones into a single event.
The name Last Chance is said to date back to a time when the town was the only place for many miles in every direction where travelers could get fuel and supplies. This explanation refers to an earlier situation. It adds a story about the name to the dates, connecting the town with the provision of supplies to travelers.
Wildlife Watching and Finding Your Way
On the Colorado Birding Trail, Last Chance is part of the Eastern Plains segment of the Greater Prairie-Chicken Trail. The trail’s routes connect wildlife-watching sites along designated driving routes. This offers a different way to explore the area than the history of U.S. Highway 36: here, the focus is on how observation sites are organized along routes. Since this routing information can change, check the latest details before planning your drive.
Another specific reference point is the southwest corner of the intersection of U.S. Highway 36 and CO 71. There is a rest area there, with a small town park in the background. If you plan to stop at the rest area, check local conditions before your visit.
Two Perspectives for Planning Your Trip
If you’d like to give your stay a particular focus, first consider whether you’re more interested in transportation routes and local history or in wildlife watching. The bridge points to the historical context of U.S. Highway 36; the trail segment refers to designated driving routes to wildlife-watching sites. These different points of reference can help you choose what to focus on in Last Chance.
For an overview of the wider area: Washington County.
