Our new book The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book is now available!

Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado

Visiting Denver? Don’t erase Colorado this roadside attraction from your itinerary. The Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado is definitely a big draw!

Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado roadside attraction

This 15-story tall pencil is actually a smokestack, which was once used to vent coal smoke from the building’s heating system. In 2013 it was painted to resemble a giant number 2 pencil, complete with the signature yellow paint color and an eraser. Up the side of the big pencil is printed “University Bldg” to signify the building it sits on top of.

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado roadside attraction

Find the pencil on the roof of the back of the University Building. Originally known as the A.C. Foster Building (named after a real estate developer responsible for its build), it was designed in 1910 by Fisher & Fisher Architects. In 1920, it was donated to the University of Denver, who again sold it in 1980.

While the official address of the University Building in Denver is 910 16th Street (on the 16th Street Mall), you can get the best view at 15th and Curtis. And be sure to look for it now. Rumors have been scribbling for years about plans to add six stories to the building, which would essentially erase this giant pencil from existence.

Looking for more giant pencils? Look for the Big Pencil in Casey, Illinois; the Big Pencil in Wytheville, Virginia; and the World’s Largest Pencil at the City Museum in St. Louis.

Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado roadside attraction
Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado roadside attraction
Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado roadside attraction
Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado roadside attraction
Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado roadside attraction
Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado roadside attraction
Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado roadside attraction
Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado roadside attraction

Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado

Address: 1561 Champa St, Denver, CO 80202
Cost: Free to See
Hours: Always Visible

Pin this Denver Roadside Attraction:

Visiting Denver? Don't erase Colorado this roadside attraction from your itinerary. The Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado is definitely a big draw! This 15-story tall pencil is actually a smokestack. Visit this Denver roadside attraction on your Colorado road trip or vacation! #RoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAttractions #DenverRoadsideAttraction #ColoradoRoadsideAttraction #RoadTrip #RoadTripStop #DenverRoadTrip #ColoradoRoadTrip
Visiting Denver? Don't erase Colorado this roadside attraction from your itinerary. The Giant Pencil in Denver, Colorado is definitely a big draw! This 15-story tall pencil is actually a smokestack. Visit this Denver roadside attraction on your Colorado road trip or vacation! #RoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAttractions #DenverRoadsideAttraction #ColoradoRoadsideAttraction #RoadTrip #RoadTripStop #DenverRoadTrip #ColoradoRoadTrip

VALerie BROMANN

Founder & Head Road Tripper

Val is the founder and head road tripper at Silly America. Having grown up near Berwyn's famed car kabob, The Spindle, and a restaurant with a cow on its roof, her fascination with roadside attractions started early. Today, Val has visited hundreds roadside attractions across the United States and is constantly on the lookout for the next BIG thing!

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.