Leadville’s Harrison Avenue hasn’t changed much in the past century.
The road is paved now. Cars and trucks have replaced horse-drawn wagons. Women’s skirts are shorter, or replaced by pants or shorts that would have scandalized Molly Brown, Leadville’s celebrated socialite.
But the landmark buildings remain largely intact. The biggest change: The population has shrunk by more than half, to about 2,750 residents today. There’s a temporary boost in August, when the Leadville Trail 100 marathon and associated mountain bike races bring in 20,000 visitors.
Still, local boosters constantly are searching for new ways to attract tourists.
Among the latest gambits: the Leadville Museum Passport, tied to Leadville’s claim of offering more museums per capita than any other Colorado town. (In this case, Leadville’s meager population is an asset, boosting the ratio of museums per resident.)
The Leadville Museum Passport offers discounts on admission at six of Leadville’s museums, including the Heritage Museum, the Tabor Home, the Healy House and Dexter Cabin, the Tabor Opera House, the Matchless Mine, and the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. Each pass is valid through Labor Day and good for one visit to each museum. —Claire Martin, The Denver Post Leadville Museum passport, $30, available at participating museums and the Leadville and Lake County Chamber of Commerce, 809 Harrison Ave., Leadville; 719-486-3900
