For 14 years, “Shep the Turnpike Dog” lived at a tollbooth on Highway 36

Many years ago, Highway 36 in Colorado’s Denver Metro Area was a toll road turnpike with tollbooths. One day a dog wandered onto the property of one of the tollbooths and stayed for fourteen years. He was lovingly named “Shep the Turnpike Dog.”

Shep at the tollbooth in the 1950's. Along with his present headstone.Photo byFind-a-grave and Colorado Martini

Starting in the 1950’s, when the tollbooths were being built for the new turnpike, a young dog showed up at the construction site. That dog soon became known as “Shep the Turnpike Dog.” At first, he was shy with tollbooth workers. But he soon warmed up to them and became a part of the turnpike family.

The employees started letting him sleep in the toll booths at night. Then helped the tollbooth operators all day greeting automobiles going through. Some patrons would exit their cars to have their pictures taken with the famous Shep. Some would go this route just to see him. Which in turn helped pay for the road earlier than estimated. Many started giving donations along with their tolls to help with Shep’s needs. He was quite an icon.

Shep lived at the tollbooths for fourteen years. He became ill and died August 3, 1964 (aged 13–14). The people who loved him over the years buried him near the tollbooth. The burial was somewhere midway between Denver and Boulder around Broomfield. They built a metal fence to surround his plot, and a small stone that said Shep. People began leaving items or decorating the area with holiday decorations. He was still loved.

Shep's original grave next to Highway 36.Photo byFind-a-grave

Shep was Moved

In 2009, an expansion of Highway 36 meant Shep's memorial had to be removed from the side of the highway. He was moved to Zang Spur Park next to the Broomfield Depot Museum at 2201 West 10th Avenue in Broomfield.

They have erected a beautiful memorial area in his honor. It includes his headstone, fence, a picture of Shep, and many trinkets that visitors have left.

Do you remember Shep? Let us know in the comments.

Shep's present grave at the Broomfield Depot Museum.Photo byColorado Martini

Shep’s Companions

Two of Shep’s many friends helped Shep during his lifetime and afterwards.

Leander William Bruhn: He worked beside Shep and told many people his stories of his time with Shep. Leander died in 1990 at the age of 86. He is buried in Hampden Memorial Estates, Denver.

Leander William Bruhn: He worked beside Shep for years.Photo byFind-a-grave

Andy Shep's Grave Caretaker: Andy had taken care of Shep's grave for 20 years. First, when it was located near the turnpike and then at Zang Spur Park. He would decorate the grave for Christmas each year. He must have been one of the many children who loved Shep back in the day. Because Andy was born in 1949.

Beloved Shep

There are many photos of Shep out there. Many are old enough to remember the cute dog greeting them. He even has a Facebook page where others share their memories and photos of the beloved dog. See Facebook page below.

Do you think you will go to Shep’s gravesite one day? Let us know in the comments.

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References and Resources

Shep’s grave site: 2201 W. 10th Avenue Broomfield, Colorado, 80020 USA Coordinates: 39.93012, -105.09424

• City of Broomfield Depot Museum
• Find-a-grave Shep the Turnpike Dog
• Find-a-grave Shep’s Burial Caretaker