Leadville Colorado area could be said to be the center of Colorado's history, a former silver mining town that lies near the headwaters of the Arkansas River in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Fortunes were made from the rich mineral deposits of the area, and legends were built from the colorful people who made Leadville & Twin Lakes their home. Men's Journal named Leadville one of the nation's top 20 "Dream Towns in America" and then, the Denver Post labeled Leadville "the last best place", ....so the word is spreading.
Home to the National Mining Museum and Hall of Fame which opened in 1987 with a federal charter, Leadville is known for its festive atmosphere, the town's altitude and rugged terrain contributes to a number of challenging racing events, such as the Leadville Trail 100 series of races. It is often used as a base for altitude training and hosts a number of other events for runners and mountain bicyclists.
Boom Days, held on the first full weekend of August, is a tribute to the city's mining past. The festivities include mining competitions and burro racing, the 21-mile Leadville Boom Days International Pack Burro Race — the second leg of Pack Burro Racing's Triple Crown — is always a crowd favorite, Leadville also has frequent, though sometimes small parades held in the downtown area, such as the quirky "St. Patrick's Day Practice Parade".
Ski Areas
