Leadville is an old silver mining town that was established in 1877. Leadville sits at the highest elevation of any city in the country. Leadville flourished during the Colorado Silver Boom, and the town was the state’s second most populated (behind Denver) in the late 1800s. Leadville has a depth of historic figures who lived in or travelled through the old mining city. Doc Holliday and “The Unsinkable” Molly Brown lived in the town in the 1880s. Today, visitors can have drinks at the Silver Dollar Saloon, where many historic figures spent some rowdy evenings. Leadville is also a destination for outdoor adventure, especially in the summers. The area has plenty of options for hunting, fishing, and hiking. One of the area’s biggest annual events is the Leadville Trail 100, which is an “ultramarathon”. The race is one of four 100-mile races in the US, by far the highest elevation.
Leadville has a rich history with its “wild west” stories and culture. Harrison Avenue is the main street that runs through down, with 19th century buildings on each side. The Tabor Opera House has had many world-famous performers, including Houdini. The opera house is now owned by the city and still hosts performances on a regular basis. Step into the Silver Dollar Saloon to have a drink in the same place that Doc Holliday used to frequent.
The Leadville area has many options for those who love the outdoors. The state’s highest mountain, Mount Elbert, rises to 14,440 feet just southwest of Leadville. Hikers, bikers, runners, fishers, and hunters love the area. Tourists will find adventure options from zip lining to ATVs.
A short 20-minute drive from Leadville, Twin Lakes is a stunningly beautiful area. The two lakes were formed by a dam and are surrounded by mountaintops over 13,000 feet high. Twin Lakes is a charming town with shops, restaurants, and lodging.
Winters are frigid. Low temperatures regularly drop to near zero degrees.
Spring is cool with occasional snow storms. The weather doesn't "warm up" until June.
Summers are sunny and mild. Daily high temps only hit about 70 degrees because of the high elevation. Summer is the relatively busy tourist season with the outdoor options.
Early fall is a beautiful time to visit with the changing of the leaves. Falls are mild and cool.