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Perched 10,152 feet above sea level and ringed by fourteeners, Leadville is the epitome of the Colorado high country. After silver was struck here in 1877, the town swelled from a handful of inhabitants to a population of 30,000 in just three years, attracting miners, merchants, opera singers, and gamblers. When the silver was gone, so went the people, leaving behind piles of tailings and sturdy Victorian buildings. Now home to the iconic Leadville 100 mountain bike race and ultramarathon, the town is experiencing a second, slower boom, with mountaineering, fishing, and bike shops replacing brothels. Thankfully, the saloons are still there.
Perched 10,152 feet above sea level and ringed by fourteeners, Leadville is the epitome of the Colorado high country. After silver was struck here in 1877, the town swelled from a handful of inhabitants to a population of 30,000 in just three years, attracting miners, merchants, opera singers, and gamblers. When the silver was gone, so went the people, leaving behind piles of tailings and sturdy Victorian buildings. Now home to the iconic Leadville 100 mountain bike race and ultramarathon, the town is experiencing a second, slower boom, with mountaineering, fishing, and bike shops replacing brothels. Thankfully, the saloons are still there. (Photo: Michael Byers)

Leadville, Colorado, Is a Boom Town

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Whether you want to fish, hike, bike, or just kick back a few cold ones, Leadville has you covered.
(Photo: Michael Byers)

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Your Leadville guide.

Your Leadville guide.
Your Leadville guide. (Michael Byers)

The Arkansas River.

The Arkansas River.
The Arkansas River. (Don J Schulte/)

Mount Sherman.

Mount Sherman.
Mount Sherman. (Peter Elmore/)

Mount Elbert.

Mount Elbert.
Mount Elbert. (Noah Katz/)

High Mountain Pies.

High Mountain Pies.
High Mountain Pies. (High Mountain Pies)

Scarlet Tavern and Inn.

Scarlet Tavern and Inn.
Scarlet Tavern and Inn. (Courtesy of Scarlet Tavern and Inn)

Tennessee Pass Cafe

Tennessee Pass Cafe
Tennessee Pass Cafe (Tom/)

Leadville Hostel and Inn

Leadville Hostel and Inn
Leadville Hostel and Inn (Bunk at the Leadville Hostel and Inn)

The Mineral Belt Bike Trail.

The Mineral Belt Bike Trail.
The Mineral Belt Bike Trail. (acewickwire/)

Cloud City Wheelers Mountain Bike Trails.

Cloud City Wheelers Mountain Bike Trails.
Cloud City Wheelers Mountain Bike Trails. (Courtesy of Cloud City Wheelers)
Lead Photo: Michael Byers

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