As consumers, we all want to buy from companies that share our values. Sure, we want the best product at the best price. But, there’s something rewarding about buying from a company that gives back to the community.

Maybe that’s why I perk up every time I see the Sponsor-a-Highway signs with Karing Kind’s logo. I know that every gram I buy puts a little money back into keeping Colorado and its roadways safe and clean.

With my favorite dispensary sponsoring a stretch of highway in my favorite city, I had two choices for this article:

1. Think up dozens of puns about a marijuana dispensary sponsoring a highway, or
2. Quickly explain how the process works and where you can see Karing Kind’s “Clean Colorado” highway signs.

For the sake of getting out more information about a great program, I chose option 2. If you were hoping for puns and now feel too disappointed to read on, I’m sorry you feel weeded out. It will be a joint effort, next time.

What’s the Deal with Sponsoring a Highway?

I’ve probably seen and forgotten about thousands of Adopt-a-Highway and Sponsor-a-Highway signs over the past few decades. Until recently, the extent of my knowledge about the two programs came from the episode of Seinfeld when Kramer adopted a stretch of roadway and proceeded to upset… everyone.

“Well you black out lane-lines one and three, and a four-lane highway becomes a two-lane comfort cruise.”

But as you might expect, adopting a highway isn’t like what you see on TV.

How Do Adopt-a-Highway & Sponsor-a-Highway Work?

Adopt-a-Highway and the connected Sponsor-a-Highway are promotional campaigns by individual states, provinces and territories that encourage people and organizations to volunteer and keep a section of highway clean.

States can save millions of dollars every year by getting businesses, non-profits, and other groups to cover the cost of clean-up (even if it’s just a fraction of roads). And, it’s a great way to increase the number of people who actively participate in community clean-up in and around Boulder.

While the program does include a highly visible sign acknowledging the volunteer (at a fraction of the cost of a billboard), it isn’t meant to be used as an advertising or political platform.

Civic-minded groups and businesses that choose to participate must apply to the program and be approved by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). They must also agree to appropriate maintenance and safety procedures.

Bonus Tip: If you’re looking to get involved, I recommend calling CDOT directly. Because I waited until the busiest travel day of the year to call for an interview, I ended up playing phone tag with their team instead of speaking with them directly. But, each person who called back seemed genuinely excited to be sharing information about the program, and their regional coordinators make it easy to get started and feel supported.

What’s the Difference Between Adopting and Sponsoring a Highway?

When a person or group adopts a stretch of highway, they are agreeing to perform appropriate maintenance, safety, and clean-up procedures (with CDOT training and support). When someone is a sponsor, they are covering all costs for regular maintenance and clean-up on the approved mile of roadway.

Adopted highways typically require both sides of the road be cleaned of litter four times a year, though some need more or less work than others. Sponsored highways, on the other hand, are cleaned 12 to 24 times a year by a professional crew.

And, because the cost of clean-up is covered by the sponsor, state funds can be reapplied to other necessary, safety-related endeavors.

The Origin of Adopt-a-Highway

The Adopt-a-Highway campaign began in the 1980s when an employee of the Texas Department of Transportation gathered a group of volunteers to help clean up litter on the highway. Shortly after, a community group formed and “adopted” a two mile stretch of highway. They agreed to clean that stretch of road once each season.

Thus, the “Adopt-a-Highway” program was born.

Fun Fact: While “Don’t Mess with Texas” is now the rallying cry of the Lone Star State and tough Texans everywhere, it got its start in a 1985 anti-littering campaign (around the same time the state was creating the first Adopt-a-Highway program).

This Stretch of Highway is Brought to You By Karing Kind

You can see Karing Kind’s “Clean Colorado” signs on your way to or from the dispensary (just North and South on US 36), as well as off Ute Hwy 66 or Hwy 119 near Jay Road.

We strive to offer a top-tier experience every time you enter our store. Our extensive menu of clean-grown bud, award-winning budtenders, incredible deals, and the lowest marijuana tax rate in the state make us the perfect Colorado cannabis destination.

Pick up a gram or half-gram of our pure, terpene-enriched CO2 cannabis oil—extracted at our very own Karing Kind Labs.