JOIN OUTDOOR INDUSTRY & OUTDOOR EQUITY SUMMITS IN SEPTEMBER

You’re invited to the Outdoor Industry Summit and Outdoor Equity Summit in Leadville on Sept. 15 and 16, 2023! We are proud to host them, as these summits share our vision for Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado.


LEADVILLE-TWIN LAKES VISION

We want to welcome everyone to enjoy the natural beauty and friendly people that our area offers. We want to remove the barriers that keep people from being able to enjoy our great outdoors. We also want to support the local business owners who work hard to grow innovative small businesses that honor this amazing area that we all love. Please join us for these change-making summits!


OUTDOOR INDUSTRY SUMMIT


FRIDAY, SEPT. 15


EXPLORING SUSTAINABILITY + RESPONSIBLE

TOURISM IN BUSINESS


Leadville CMC Campus
9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Learn more and register!


Do you own or support a Colorado small business? Be sure to catch this inspirational event in an inspirational setting—surrounded by Leadville’s majestic 14ers and sparkling lakes. Explore sustainable business practices and responsible tourism through our four tracks:


  • Innovations in Responsible Tourism: Discover groundbreaking approaches to protect our public lands and rural areas while ensuring a thriving tourism industry.
  • Empowering Sustainability in Business: Find the tools and inspiration you need for a thriving business that makes a positive impact on the world.
  • Inspirational Business Models: Supercharge your sales and revenue with B2B opportunities and business models designed specifically for Colorado’s outdoor industry.
  • Collaborative Partnerships + Funding: Discover the power of collaborative public/private sector partnerships, as well as funding and grant offerings designed to support the outdoor industry. Find partners to join forces and make a real difference!


In each session, exceptional Colorado business, nonprofit, tourism, and recreation leaders share their firsthand experiences and insights. You’ll take home plenty of practical advice!


Register today!

KEYNOTES ON NATURE CONNECTION AND BUILDING A BETTER WORLD

Respecting and Celebrating our Planet: Start a great day with the morning keynote, “Honoring + Respecting our Planet while Simultaneously Celebrating our Connection with It.” Hear from Scotty Stoughton, founder of Bonfire Entertainment, frontman with the band Bonfire Dub, co-founder of Stand Up Paddle Colorado and Adrift Adventures Dinosaur, and producer of WinterWonderGrass and Campout for the Cause.


Moving Stories: You won’t want to miss a fresh perspective on storytelling in the afternoon keynote. See through the lens of award-winning filmmaker, athlete, and writer Dani Reyes-Acosta of Nomad Creative and Afuera Productions. She asks if the stories we tell about ourselves, our dreams, and the world around us change how we approach—and accept—life as we know it. This invaluable talk with moving stories from the depths of the sea to the world’s highest summits offers a simple framework we can all use to cultivate a “better world,” every day.


LIVE MUSIC WITH BONFIRE DUB

Stay for the afterparty at FREIGHT, with live music from Bonfire Dub!

Register today!


OUTDOOR EQUITY SUMMIT


SATURDAY, SEPT. 16


NUESTRO LEGADO – LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD
EXPLORING THE LEGACY OF OUTDOOR RECREATION & IDENTITY


Leadville CMC Campus
9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Learn more and register!


The Outdoor Equity Summit will bring together professionals from the outdoor industry and the local Latine community as well as other underrepresented groups for a day of shared learning and growth.


With the goal of creating a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable outdoor industry, the voices and experiences of marginalized populations will be uplifted and participants will have an opportunity to strategize ways to address inequities within the outdoor recreation industry.


Topics will include the history of inequity in the outdoor recreation and environmental movement, cultivation of a sense of belonging in the outdoors, and authentic inclusion of queer, BIPOC, and alternatively- abled individuals in both the outdoor industry and the broader outdoor community.


Register today!


MEET THE SPEAKERS

Jose Gonzalez (keynote speaker) is a professional educator with training in the fields of education and conservation. He is the founder of Latino Outdoors. Jose plays with design, words, science, and education—engaging in the interdisciplinary intersections of how we view and engage with the world. Jose navigates through a self-created identity of a “Green Chicano” in a professional sense. In particular he is weaving through the roles of Conservationist/Environmentalist, Chicano, and Educator.


Alejandro Jimenez (poetic performer) is a formerly undocumented immigrant, poet, writer, and educator from Colima, Mexico, living in New Mexico. His work centers and touches on cultural identity, race/ethnicity, immigrant narratives, masculinity, memory, and the intersection of them all.



Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada (panelist) is a mountain athlete and environmental sociologist who focuses on the intersection of people and nature. As an immigrant and woman of color herself, Vanessa recognizes the systemic barriers that purposefully keep BIPOC out of outdoor spaces.

Bianka Isabella Martinez (panelist) is Queer, Black, & Huastec Mexican, and credits her tenacity to being born and raised in Chicago. Winner of the 2023 Ark Valley Pride: Community Superhero Award, her passions include conservation, stewardship, and the rematriation of land.


Trevor Taylor (he/they) (panelist) is a trail worker and community builder. Whether it’s building new trials, teaching outdoor skills, or challenging issues of access and inclusion in conservation, they approach their work with an emphasis on the collective, building and restoring relationships with the land and the people they work with.


Dom Barrera is the co-founder of The Colorado Food Cluster, which provides healthy and tasty food, economic opportunities, and enrichment activities to over 40,000 students across the state of Colorado. Dom currently serves as the Director of Partnerships where he is working with local food vendors to supply culturally diverse food and beverage products.


OUTDOOR OUTING AND FIESTA

After the sessions, please join an Inclusive Outdoor Outing led by Get Outdoors Leadville! Then wrap up this inspiring day with a Fiesta with live music, food, and dancing!


Register today!

2 MILES HIGH, 2 METERS DEEP

February 20, 2025
No matter when you visit Leadville and Twin Lakes, you’ll find yourself two miles above sea level (ok, technically 1.9 miles, but who’s counting?). When you visit in March, you’ll be even closer to the glorious Colorado sun because by this time of year, Leadville and Twin Lakes have typically received around two meters of snow! Yes, meters. Here are some great ways you can enjoy the abundant snow and sun! 1) HIT THE SLOPES AT SKI COOPER Like to ski or ride? Check out Ski Cooper for affordable access to uncrowded slopes. Cooper is open seven days a week through Sunday, April 13, 2025. To learn to ski or board or to improve your skills, sign up for lessons for the whole family. 2) RIDE THE TRAIN Hop aboard the Leadville Railroad Winter Express for a 2-hour train ride through some of the area’s most spectacular scenery. The Winter Express runs until April 13th, departing Thursdays through Saturdays at 1:00 p.m plus daily at 1:00pm during spring break from March 9th through March 29th. This is a popular attraction and reservations are required! Book your seats here . 3) GO SNOWMOBILING Snowmobile and ATV tours are a great way to explore Leadville’s historic East Side Mining District, Turquoise Lake Recreation Area and the surrounding hills. A variety of tour styles are available with options for experienced adventure seekers to beginners and families. Vroom, vroom! 4) GO DOGSLEDDING Want a spring break story that’ll make your friends jealous? Hop on a sled and let a team of energetic, tail-wagging huskies whisk you across the snow! You'll glide through stunning mountain scenery with your new four-legged crew leading the way. Dogsledding is a thrilling, unforgettable adventure—and fun for the whole family! 5) GO SNOW ZIPPING Have you ever wanted to zipline in the winter? Now’s your chance! Experience the thrill of our 2-hour Winter Mountain Zip Line Tour , where you’ll descend not one but six exhilarating zip lines, spanning over 8,000 feet of fun. Extend your adventure with the Zip Line and Snowmobile Combo Tour . Get the full scoop on rates, reservations, and restrictions here !

More Snow, Fewer People: Your Guide to a Peaceful (and Safe) Visit to Leadville & Twin Lakes in March

February 20, 2025
If you love deep snow, bluebird skies, and zero lift lines, the first two weeks of March in Leadville and Twin Lakes are calling your name. While other Colorado ski towns are packed this time of year, this high-altitude haven stays refreshingly quiet—meaning more powder, more solitude, and more space to explore safely. Whether you’re carving fresh turns at Ski Cooper, venturing into the pristine backcountry, or enjoying a peaceful après-ski with no wait at the bar, this is your chance to experience winter without the chaos.  But with all that extra room comes extra responsibility—so before you head into the untouched snow, let’s talk backcountry safety tips.

Experience the Thrill of Leadville Ski Joring

February 5, 2025
GIDDY UP! March 1-2, 2025 Every winter, Leadville transforms into a high-octane winter wonderland with the annual Leadville Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival Weekend . This two-day event is packed with adrenaline-pumping sports, winter races, and community fun. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a thrill-seeker, or simply looking for a unique winter experience, Leadville is the place to be! This weekend always draws a crowd! Book a place to stay today .

For the Love of Winter

February 5, 2025
In Leadville and Twin Lakes, we want to help you fall head over heels (hopefully not literally) with winter in the mountains. Whether you’re exploring solo, surrounded by family and friends, or with your special someone, come to Leadville-Twin Lakes to spark or rekindle your love of winter.

February is the Worst... Not Here

February 5, 2025
Ah, February. That special time of year when you can’t remember what it feels like to be warm outdoors and spring is still oh so far away. It’s the worst, right?  At Leadville and Twin Lakes, we invite you to turn that February frown upside down and experience how amazing winter in Colorado can be (yes, even in February).

Ski Cooper: Affordable, Family-Friendly, and Close to Denver

January 2, 2025
Fun in the Snow at Ski Cooper If you're searching for an authentic mountain experience filled with fun in the snow, Ski Cooper near Leadville, Colorado, is your perfect winter destination. Here's why this hidden gem stands out among Colorado's ski areas.

The Rise of Fat Biking in Leadville: Fun in the Snow

January 2, 2025
Fat biking has surged in popularity over the past decade, and nowhere is this more evident than in Leadville. With stunning mountain landscapes and groomed winter trails, Leadville has become a premier destination for fat biking enthusiasts. Its growing reputation helped bring the Fat Bike World Championships back to Colorado in 2024. This year, the event is staying in Colorado for a second year in a row, returning to Crested Butte (where it all started), marking its 10th anniversary. 

Winter Adventures 101: Trails, Avalanche Safety, and Yes…Your Poop Plan

January 2, 2025
Hello outdoor adventurers! Winter fun in Leadville and Twin Lakes starts with knowledge and preparation—let’s make your adventures safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable.

10 Unique Ways to Warm Up this Winter

December 23, 2024
While Leadville-Twin Lakes, Colorado, is known for abundant winter activities, it also offers plenty of great things to do inside. When you need a winter warmup, explore these off-the-beaten-path indoors options!

TOP 12 REASONS TO VISIT LEADVILLE-TWIN LAKES IN 2025

December 22, 2024
This year, be sure to visit Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado ! Here at the top of the Rockies, you’ll find a wide breadth of things to do outdoors and in our genuine and historic downtowns. While the list of possibilities is nearly endless, here are our top 12 reasons to visit in 2025!
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