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NREL Directions (Text Version)

Below is a text version of the Flash-based directions to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Choose your starting point for directions to the location you would like to visit.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory
1617 Cole Blvd.,
Golden CO 80401-3393
(303) 275-3000
GPS Coordinates: 39 degrees 44' 40" N and 105 degrees 09' 08" W

Note: A valid government-issued photo ID is required to obtain a visitors badge for access to NREL facilities. Please contact your host for additional requirements if you are not a U.S. Citizen

Choose your starting point:

You've chosen DIA as your starting point. Now, choose your destination:

From Denver International Airport to NREL Research Facilities - South Table Mountain Site:

34 miles from airport terminal
Note: all mileage is approximate

Depart airport via access road
Take Pena Boulevard to I-70 west (11 miles)
Take I-70 west to Exit 263 - Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (22 miles)
Turn right (north) off exit ramp onto Denver West-Marriott Boulevard
Proceed 1 block north on Denver West-Marriott Boulevard
Turn left (west) at light onto Denver West Parkway (.1 mile)
Proceed west on Denver West Parkway to NREL Visitors Center (.4 mile)
Park in Visitors Center parking lot, on your right
Walk to Site Entrance Building and check in with security
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

From Denver International Airport to NREL Administrative Offices - Denver West Office Park Buildings 17, 16, 15, 7, and 3:

34 miles from airport terminal
Note: all mileage is approximate

Depart airport via access road
Take Pena Boulevard to I-70 west (11 miles)
Take I-70 west to Exit 263 - Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (22 miles)
Turn left off exit ramp onto Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway
Turn left at light onto Cole Boulevard (.1 mile)
Take Cole Boulevard to Denver West Office Park Building 15 driveway (.4 mile)
Turn left onto Building 15 driveway
Turn left in front of Building 15
Proceed past Building 15 to Building 17 (.1 mile)
Park in visitor parking (directly across from the front entrance of Building 17)
Enter front door of Building 17 into vestibule
Use intercom to alert receptionist to admit you into the building
Proceed to reception desk in lobby
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

From Denver International Airport to NREL Visitors Center:

34 miles from airport terminal
Note: all mileage is approximate

Depart airport via access road
Take Pena Boulevard to I-70 west (11 miles)
Take I-70 west to Exit 263 - Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (22 miles)
Turn right off exit ramp onto Denver West-Marriott Boulevard
Turn left at light onto Denver West Parkway (.1 mile)
Proceed on Denver West Parkway to NREL Visitors Center (.4 mile)
Visitors Center is first building on right, past NREL entrance sign
Park in lot and walk directly to Visitors Center (you do not need to check in at the Site Entrance Building)

To reach the NWTC from Denver International Airport, you have 2 options:

Note: all mileage is approximate

Option 1: 35 miles, no tolls

Depart airport via access road
Take Pena Boulevard to I-70 west (11 miles)
Take I-70 west to I-270 west/Exit 279 (5 miles)
Take I-270 west until it ends and merges into US 36 west (5.3 miles)
Proceed on US 36 west to the Broomfield-Lafayette exit (9 miles)
Turn left off exit ramp (south) onto CO 121/Wadsworth Parkway
Proceed on CO 121/Wadsworth Parkway through a light, then bear
right (west) at the second light onto CO 128 (.2 mile)
Proceed west on CO 128 and continue past Indiana and McCaslin
Streets to the NWTC entrance on your left (4.5 miles)
Check in at the Site Entrance Building
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

Option 2: 37 miles, scenic route with tolls

Depart airport via access road
Take Pena Boulevard towards Denver/I-70 west (4 miles)
Take Exit 6B toward E-470 north
After 2.2 miles, merge onto E-470 north, which is a toll road
Proceed on E-470 north, which becomes Northwest Parkway West,
a toll road (23 miles, 3 tolls of $2.00 each)
Proceed on Northwest Parkway West until it ends, becomes South 96th
Street, crosses over US 36, and becomes Interlocken Loop (1 mile)
Continue south on Interlocken Loop to CO 128 (1.6 miles)
Turn right (west) on CO 128 and continue past Indiana and McCaslin
Streets to the NWTC entrance on your left (6.5 miles)
Check in at the Site Entrance Building
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

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You've chosen Downtown Denver/Eastern Colorado as your starting point. Now, choose your destination:

From Downtown Denver/Eastern Colorado to NREL Research Facilities - South Table Mountain Site:

11.5 miles from the intersection of I-25 and I-70
Note: all mileage is approximate

Take I-25 north from Downtown Denver to I-70
Take I-70 west to Exit 263, Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (11 miles)
Turn right off exit ramp onto Denver West-Marriott Boulevard
Proceed 1 block north and turn left at the light onto Denver West Parkway
Proceed on Denver West Parkway to the NREL Visitors Center (.4 mile)
The Visitors Center is the first building on your right, past the NREL entrance sign
Park in the lot on your right
Walk over to the Site Entrance Building to check in with security
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

From Downtown Denver/Eastern Colorado to NREL Administrative Offices - Denver West Office Park Buildings 17, 16, 15, 7, and 3:

12 miles from the intersection of I-25 and I-70
Note: all mileage is approximate

Take I-25 north from Downtown Denver to I-70
Take I-70 west to Exit 263, Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (11 miles)
At the light at the top of the exit ramp, turn left (south) onto Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway
Proceed on Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway to second light (.1 mile)
Turn left (east) onto Cole Boulevard
Take Cole Boulevard to Denver West Office Park Building 15 driveway (.4 mile)
Turn left onto Building 15 driveway
Turn left in front of Building 15
Proceed past Building 15 to Building 17 (.1 mile)
Park in visitor parking (directly across from the front entrance of Building 17)
Enter front door of Building 17 into vestibule
Use intercom to alert receptionist to admit you into the building
Proceed to reception desk in lobby
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

From Downtown Denver/Eastern Colorado to NREL Visitors Center:

11.5 miles from the intersection of I-25 and I-70
Note: all mileage is approximate

Take I-25 north from Downtown Denver to I-70
Take I-70 west to Exit 263, Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (9 miles)
At the light at the top of the exit ramp, turn right onto Denver West-Marriott Boulevard
Proceed 1 block north and turn left at the light onto Denver West Parkway
Proceed on Denver West Parkway to the NREL Visitors Center (.4 mile)
The Visitors Center is the first building on your right past the NREL entrance sign
Park in the lot on your right, and proceed directly to the Visitors Center (you do not need to check in at the Site Entrance Building).

Back to Top

You've chosen Mountains/Western Colorado as your starting point. Now, choose your destination:

From Mountains/Western Colorado to NREL Research Facilities - South Table Mountain Site:

1.2 miles from the intersection of I-70 and US 40 (West Colfax Ave.)
Note: all mileage is approximate

Take I-70 East to Exit 263, Denver West Boulevard (.7 mile)
At the light at the top of the exit ramp, turn left (north) onto Denver West-Marriott Blvd.
Proceed 2 blocks on Denver West-Marriott Boulevard to the second light (.1 mile)
Turn left (west) onto Denver West Parkway
Proceed on Denver West Parkway to the NREL Visitors Center (.4 mile)
Visitors Center is first building on your right past the NREL entrance sign
Park in the lot on your right
Walk over to the Site Entrance Building to check in
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

From Mountains/Western Colorado to NREL Administrative Offices - Denver West Office Park Bldgs 17, 16, 15, 7, and 3:

1.2 miles from the intersection of I-70 and US 40 (West Colfax Ave.)
Note: all mileage is approximate

Take I-70 east to Exit 263, Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (.7 mile)
At the light at the top of the exit ramp, turn right (south) onto Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway
Proceed 1 block on Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway to the light
Turn left (east) onto Cole Boulevard
Take Cole Boulevard to Denver West Office Park Building 15 driveway (.4 mile)
Turn left onto Building 15 driveway
Turn left in front of Building 15
Proceed past Building 15 to Building 17 (.1 mile)
Park in visitor parking (directly across from the front entrance of Building 17)
Enter front door of Building 17 into vestibule
Use intercom to alert receptionist to admit you into the building
Proceed to reception desk in lobby
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

From Mountains/Western Colorado to NREL Visitors Center:

1.2 miles from the intersection of I-70 and US 40 (West Colfax Ave.)
Note: all mileage is approximate

Take I-70 east to Exit 263, Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (.7 mile)
Turn left off exit ramp (north) onto Denver West-Marriott Boulevard
Proceed 2 blocks on Denver West-Marriott Boulevard to the second light (.1 mile)
Turn left (west) onto Denver West Parkway
Proceed on Denver West Parkway to the NREL Visitors Center (.4 mile)
Visitors Center is the first building on your right after passing the NREL entrance sign
Park in the lot on your right, and proceed directly to the Visitors Center (you don't need to check in at the Site Entrance Building)

Back to Top

You've chosen Boulder as your starting point. Now, choose your destination:

From Boulder to NREL Research Facilities - South Table Mountain Site:

23 miles from the intersection of Broadway Street and Table Mesa Drive
Note: all mileage is approximate

Take CO 93 (Broadway Street) south to Golden (16.6 miles)
CO 93 ends at the intersection with CO 58. Continue straight ahead at light on US 6/6th Ave. east
Proceed on US 6/6th Ave. east to US 40/Colfax Ave. (3.4 miles)
Turn left (east) onto US 40/Colfax Ave.
Proceed east on US 40/Colfax Ave. to Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (2 miles)
At the light, turn left (north) onto Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway
Proceed on Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway to Denver West Parkway (.2 mile)
Turn left (west) at light onto Denver West Parkway
Proceed on Denver West Parkway to NREL Visitors Center (.4 mile)
Visitors Center is the first building on your right past the NREL entrance sign
Park in the lot on your right
Walk to Site Entrance Building and check in with security
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

From Boulder to NREL Administrative Offices: Denver West Office Park Buildings 17, 16, 15, 7, and 3:

23 miles from the intersection of Broadway Street and Table Mesa Drive
Note: all mileage is approximate

Take CO 93 (Broadway Street) south to Golden (16.6 miles)
CO 93 ends at the intersection with CO 58. Continue straight ahead at light on US 6/6th Ave. east
Proceed on US 6/6th Ave. east to US 40/Colfax Ave. (3.4 miles)
Turn left (east) onto US 40/Colfax Ave.
Proceed east on US 40/Colfax Avenue to Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (2 miles)
At the light, turn left onto Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (.1 mile)
At the light, turn right (east) onto Cole Boulevard
Proceed on Cole Boulevard to Denver West Office Park Building 15 driveway (.4 mile)
Turn left into Building 15 driveway
Turn left in front of Building 15
Proceed past Building 15 to Building 17 (.1 mile)
Park in visitor parking (directly across from the front entrance of Building 17)
Enter front door of Building 17 into vestibule
Use intercom to alert receptionist to admit you into the building
Proceed to reception desk in lobby
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

From Boulder to NREL Visitors Center:

23 miles from the intersection of Broadway Street and Table Mesa Drive
Note: all mileage is approximate

Take CO 93 (Broadway Street) south to Golden (approximately 16.6 miles)
CO 93 ends at the intersection with CO 58. Continue straight ahead at light on US 6/6th Ave. East
Proceed US 6/6th Ave. east to US 40/Colfax Ave. (3.4 miles)
Turn left (east) onto US 40/Colfax Ave.
Proceed on US 40/Colfax Avenue past Colorado Mills Mall to Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (2 miles)
At the light, turn left (north) onto Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway
Proceed on Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway to Denver West Parkway (.2 mile)
Turn left (west) at light onto Denver West Parkway
Visitors Center is first building on right, past NREL entrance sign (.4 mile)
Park in lot on your right and proceed directly to Visitors Center (you do not need to check in at the Site Entrance Building)

From Boulder to National Wind Technology Center:

6 miles from the intersection of Broadway Street and Table Mesa Drive
Note: all mileage is approximate

Take CO 93 (Broadway Street) south to CO 128 (4.4 miles)
Turn left (east) on CO 128
Proceed east on CO 128 to the NWTC entrance on your right (1.5 miles)
Check in at the Site Entrance Building
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

Back to Top

You've chosen NREL Offices - Denver West Office Park as your starting point. Now, choose your destination:

From NREL Administrative Offices to NREL Research Facilities - South Table Mountain Site and Shipping & Receiving:

1.2 miles from Denver West Office Park Building 17
Note: all mileage is approximate

Leave the Denver West Building 15-16-17 complex and turn right (west) onto Cole Boulevard
Take Cole Boulevard west to Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (.4 mile)
At light, turn right (north) onto Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway
Proceed on Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway to Denver West Parkway (at 3rd light, .2 mile)
Turn left (west) onto Denver West Parkway
Proceed on Denver West Parkway to the NREL Visitors Center and Site Entrance Building (.4 mile)
Park in the Visitors Center parking lot on your right
Walk over to the Site Entrance Building to check in with security
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

From NREL Administrative Offices to NREL Visitors Center:

1.2 miles from Denver West Office Park Building 17
Note: all mileage is approximate

Leave the Denver West Building 15-16-17 complex and turn right (west) onto Cole Boulevard
Take Cole Boulevard west to Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (.4 mile)
At light, turn right (north) onto Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway
Proceed on Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway to Denver West Parkway (at 3rd light, .2 mile)
Turn left (west) onto Denver West Parkway
Proceed on Denver West Parkway to the NREL Visitors Center and Site Entrance Building (.4 mile)
Walk directly to the Visitors Center (you do not need to check in at the Site Entrance Building)

From NREL Administrative Offices to National Wind Technology Center:

16 miles from Denver West Office Park Building 17
Note: all mileage is approximate

Leave the Denver West Building 15-16-17 complex and turn right (west) onto Cole Boulevard
From Building 17, turn right (west) onto Cole Boulevard (.4 mile)
Take Cole Boulevard west to Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway (.4 mile)
Turn right (north) onto Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway
Proceed on Denver West/Colorado Mills Parkway to I-70 East entrance (.1 mile)
Proceed on I-70 east to Exit 266, CO 72/Ward Road (3 miles)
From the exit ramp, turn right (west) onto 44th Ave.
From 44th Ave., take an immediate right at the light onto CO 72/Ward Road
Proceed north on CO 72/Ward Road to 64th Ave. (2.3 miles)
Turn left at 64th and continue westbound on CO 72/64th Ave. to Indiana Street (1.4 miles)
Turn right (north) at light onto Indiana Street
Proceed north on Indiana Street until it ends at CO 128 (6.5 miles)
Turn left (west) onto CO 128
Proceed on CO 128 west past McCaslin Blvd to the NWTC entrance on your left (2 miles)
Check in at the Site Entrance Building
Provide your government-issued photo ID to obtain a visitors badge

Back to Top