A Stretch of Highway 34 is Getting a New Name to Honor a Local WWII Hero

The Bottom Line

State lawmakers want to dedicate a stretch of U.S. Highway 34 in Loveland to honor Sgt. John "Jack" Thurman, an Iwo Jima survivor and beloved local architect who recently passed away at 99. It is a purely commemorative move that relies entirely on community donations—not taxpayer dollars—to pay for the new highway signs.

What This Bill Actually Does

If you drive through Loveland, you might soon notice a new name along a familiar route. Senate Joint Resolution 26-011 formally requests that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) designate the portion of U.S. Highway 34 running between Wilson Avenue and North County Road 23H as the "Sgt. John 'Jack' Thurman Memorial Highway." Unlike standard statutory bills that rewrite state regulations, a joint resolution is the legislature's way of officially recognizing a person, event, or cause. In this case, it is a permanent nod to a local legend who left his mark on both world history and the Colorado skyline.

The resolution serves as a lengthy, fascinating biography of Sgt. Thurman, who passed away in February 2025 just shy of his 100th birthday. Thurman was a World War II Marine sniper, an Iwo Jima survivor, and a member of the elite group that became known as the original "Carlson's Raiders." If you have ever seen the famous "Gung Ho" photograph of U.S. Marines celebrating atop Mount Suribachi, you have seen Thurman. During the war, he earned a Bronze Star after taking mortar wounds to his face and hip while securing Japanese tunnels and rescuing sailors from a downed B-29 bomber under direct fire.

After returning home, Thurman had a massive second act right here in Colorado. He became a highly successful architect and designer. If you've ever walked through the University of Colorado Engineering Center, visited the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial in Golden, or eaten at the old Black Forest restaurant in Nederland, you've interacted with his work. To make this highway tribute happen, the resolution authorizes CDOT to accept gifts, grants, and donations to pay for the initial signs, and gives the agency the green light to partner with the City of Loveland or Larimer County to handle the long-term upkeep.

What It Means for You

For the average Colorado driver, especially those living in or commuting through Larimer County, this resolution will not change your daily commute, speed limits, or traffic laws. U.S. Highway 34 will still be Highway 34 on your GPS, on state maps, and in casual conversation. The tangible change you will notice is simply the addition of the new "Sgt. John 'Jack' Thurman Memorial Highway" signs flanking the roadway as you travel between Wilson Avenue and North County Road 23H.

If you are a local history buff, a parent looking for teachable moments, or part of Colorado's active veteran community, this resolution serves as a highly visible, permanent tribute to the "Greatest Generation." Thurman was deeply involved with the Loveland and Boulder VFWs, the American Legion, the Lions Club, and numerous local youth groups like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. He was the kind of guy who finished the Bolder Boulder in a wheelchair at age 90, pushed by his daughter. The new designation is a way to ensure that his legacy remains a conversational touchstone for the next generation of Coloradans driving through town.

If you want to get personally involved, the funding mechanism for these signs actually relies on the public. Because the state does not tap into the general highway fund to pay for memorial designations, CDOT will be looking for private-sector and community contributions. Residents who want to help make this memorial a reality can coordinate with local veteran organizations, the American Legion, or CDOT to donate toward the initial manufacturing and installation costs of the signage.

What It Means for Your Business

From a purely regulatory and operational standpoint, businesses operating along U.S. Highway 34 in Loveland can breathe easy. A memorial highway designation does not legally change your business address, nor does it require you to update your zoning permits, commercial licenses, or state tax registrations. The U.S. Postal Service will still recognize U.S. Highway 34 for all your shipping, receiving, and mailing needs. You will not have to spend a single dime reprinting business cards, updating your vehicle fleet decals, or changing your website's contact page.

However, there are a few minor, indirect impacts worth noting for local businesses in Loveland and Larimer County. The resolution explicitly permits CDOT to accept grants and donations to fund the creation of the signs. This presents a unique civic opportunity for local businesses, particularly those in the construction, architecture, engineering, or defense sectors that might want to honor Thurman's legacy as a fellow builder and veteran. Sponsoring or contributing to the signage fund through local veteran organizations is a solid community relations move that directly supports local history.

Additionally, there might be a small bump in local coordination needed for civic contractors. The resolution suggests that CDOT will likely seek a cooperative maintenance agreement with the City of Loveland or Larimer County. For businesses that hold municipal contracts for road maintenance, landscaping, or sign repair in Larimer County, this simply adds one more set of specific, locally managed assets to the municipal inventory. Ultimately, it is a low-impact resolution that honors a local hero without tangling up local commerce in new red tape.

Follow the Money

One of the most important things to know about memorial highway designations in Colorado is that they are expressly designed to have zero impact on the state’s general fund or state taxpayers. The resolution strictly dictates that the Colorado Department of Transportation must rely on gifts, grants, and donations to cover the initial manufacturing and installation costs of the memorial signs. If the private funds aren't raised by the community, the signs do not go up.

As for the long-term financial footprint—such as replacing a sign if it gets damaged by severe weather or a traffic accident—the state is not left holding the bag either. The resolution encourages CDOT to hammer out a cooperative agreement with Larimer County or the City of Loveland so that local jurisdictions manage the ongoing maintenance. Essentially, the state gives the official permission, the local community provides the upfront cash, and the municipal government handles the long-term upkeep.

Where This Bill Stands

SJR26-011 is currently In Committee. The latest official action came on 02/10/2026: Senate Third Reading Laid Over to 02/12/2026 - No Amendments.

That means the bill is still in the committee stage. To keep moving, it would need to clear committee and then survive floor votes in both chambers.