At 10,152 feet, Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the United States. The thin air defines everything here—from the difficulty of walking uphill to the legendary Leadville 100 ultramarathon that draws elite endurance athletes.
Silver made Leadville one of the largest cities in the West during the 1880s. The Tabor Opera House, Matchless Mine, and National Mining Hall of Fame preserve this dramatic history. Downtown's Victorian buildings house local restaurants and shops at genuine mountain-town prices.
Mount Massive and Mount Elbert—Colorado's two highest peaks—rise immediately west. Ski Cooper offers affordable, uncrowded skiing. The town attracts those who prefer authenticity over polish, altitude over amenities.