Fall Events in Leadville and Twin Lakes
September 7, 2022Autumn is a magical time in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado. Think warm days, cool nights, and some of Colorado’s first gold leaves! Check out this roundup of fun things to see and do in fall. Check our calendar for details on these and other great events.
Be sure to also see 7 great spots for leaf peeping in Leadville and Twin Lakes!
Planes, Trains, Automobiles
Fall Fly-In
Saturday, Sept. 24
8 – 11 a.m.
Leadville Airport
There’s no better way to see fall colors than from the air! A Fall Fly-In at the Leadville Airport welcomes people with private planes to fly in for a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, and hashbrowns ($7 adults, $4 children). You can also get a certificate for landing at LXV, North America’s highest airport. Questions? Call 719-486-0307, or email jadamson@co.lake.co.us.
Top of the Rockies Zipline
Through mid-October
Leaf peep from high in the sky on the Top of the Rockies Zipline. Or combine your zipline tour with a train ride, for a fall foliage spectacular all day long!
Leadville Railroad’s Scenic Rides
- BBQ Special Ride with BBQ, views and brews – Friday, Sept. 9, 2022
- Fall Photo Weekend Specials – Friday – Sunday, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. in September
Enjoy the fall colors and sweeping vistas of the Arkansas River Valley. Reservations are required; please book in advance. Get that special shot framed by Colorado’s autumn beauty. Make sure to bring your camera and your jacket!
Scenic Drives
All roads to Leadville and Twin Lakes are along the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway! Come see the gorgeous views, dotted with golden fall colors.
Leadville’s Irish History
A Leadville Irish Miners’ Memorial is being built to recognize the Irish community, most of whom were Irish immigrants, buried in unmarked, sunken graves in the Catholic Pauper section of Evergreen Cemetery. Join September events honoring these past members of the Leadville community.
Leadville’s Celtic Ghosts Walking Tour
Saturday, Sept. 10
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join a guided tour with Dr. Jim Walsh, a political science professor at University of Colorado Denver, who has made the Catholic Pauper section of Leadville’s Evergreen cemetery his life’s work. He has learned the names, ages, and life information of the more than 1,340 souls buried in that part of the cemetery. This tour is a fundraiser for the Leadville Irish Miners’ Memorial.
Celebration of Phase 1 Completion of the Leadville Irish Memorial
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022
10 a.m. – Noon
Evergreen Cemetery
Celebrate the completion of Phase 1 of the Leadville Irish Miners’ Memorial. The centerpiece is already in place on the plinth, along with a rock from the Climax mine. The spiral walkways and landscaping around the memorial are currently being developed. Temporary panels on site will show all the names of those who are being commemorated.
All are welcome to attend the ceremony, and the new Irish Consul General, Micheál Smith, will be there. Guests will have time to wander and explore the unmarked graves.
Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022
2 p.m.
Harrison Avenue, Leadville
It’s never too early to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Join us for a parade!
Local Cuisine for Conservation
C4 Harvest Dinner To Go
Friday, Sept. 23, 2022
5 – 7 p.m.
FREIGHT
Savor a meal made from ingredients produced in Colorado, while supporting the Cloud City Conservation Center (C4)! Pick up your Harvest Dinner To Go from FREIGHT and join us for happy hour. Enjoy your meal at FREIGHT or at home with friends and family.
Recreation Events
CDT SOBO TRAIL DAZE
Tuesday – Thursday, Sept. 6-8, 2022
Leadville
This three-day festival celebrates through-hiking and arts. Did you know that Leadville and Twin Lakes are designated as a Continental Divide Trail gateway community? Be sure to check out the trail!
Sippin’ and Swingin’ Shotgun Golf Competition & Fundraiser
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022
3:30 p.m.
Mt. Massive Golf Course
All local golfers are invited to participate in the shotgun golf competition and fundraiser at Mt. Massive Golf Course – Evening Wine Tasting Event & Raffle The event will being with a golf clinic led by award-winning golfer Dano Aldaz and Mike O’Leary. Followed by the four-hole shotgun competition.
Cultural Events
The Yak, a Storytelling Event
Friday, Sept. 9
7 – 9 p.m.
FREIGHT
Bark in the Park
Saturday, Sept. 10
10 a.m. – Noon
Leadville Dog Park
Celebrate Colorado’s dogs! healthcare and training info, friendly canine competitions, and more, with Planned Pethood Leadville.
Trivia Night
Friday, Sept. 16
7 – 9 p.m.
FREIGHT
Tell your story or hear others’ stories! This storytelling event has winners, speed, laughter, and vulnerability and is recorded and aired by KDNK.
Storyhill Concert
Saturday, Sept. 24
7 p.m.
St. George’s Episcopal Church
Enjoy tunes from this modern folk duo based in Bozeman, Montana, that brings brotherly harmonies, infectious melodies and smart story songs together in one perfect package.
“Roll with It” Live Auction
Saturday, Oct. 1
6-9 p.m.
Tabor Opera House
Enjoy an auction with artwork and donated items from artists and community members, all to benefit Leadville Main Street. Plus drinks, appetizers, and live music!
“Stories Worth Telling” Film Festival
Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022
6 p.m.
Tabor Opera House
Celebrate Leadville, Twin Lakes, and the region’s artistic community with films focusing on compassion, innovation, adventure, and community. Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 9.
📷: @bluevesselflorista
Leadville Flower Market
Sundays
8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Blue Vessel Florista
History Tours
Cemetery, Mining District, and Downtown Ghost Tours
Weekends through September
Delaware Hotel
More info: Call 719-486-1418 or text 720-530-1235
Local historian Roger Pretti brings to life Leadville’s mining days and spellbinding stories of miners, dance hall girls, actors, assassins, railroaders, immigrants and more, plus hair-raising stories of Cloud City’s ghosts.
📷: Diana Lange
Matchless Mine
Through September
Noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m.
Matchless Mine, on the eastern edge of Leadville
Hear the Tabors’ fascinating story: a scandalous love triangle and riches to rags. On this guided tour, peer into the mining shaft that made Horace Tabor his wealth and the small cabin where Baby Doe Tabor lived out her days. Self-guided tours are also available.
Fall at Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes is one of the best areas around for fall colors! Whether you’re taking a drive up to Independence Pass, hiking or biking an area trail, or watching the golden glow of sunset and leaves behind the lakes, you’ll love autumn at Twin Lakes.
Twin Lakes Boat Tours
Daily at 11 a.m.
Red Rooster Boat Ramp
Magnificent scenery, wildlife, history, and folklore await on these narrated tours. You can also tour the historic Interlaken resort, which was established in the late 1800s as a getaway for the wealthy mining tycoons. Please make reservations in advance.
Shooting Star Gallery
Visit the gallery for enjoy the talent of our local artists. The end-of summer-sale is on through September.
Twin Lakes General Store
Stop in for local maps, outdoor clothing, snacks, wine and beer, books, and much, more more! Check out the sales on weekends until October.
