Leadville stands at 10,152 feet — the highest incorporated city in North America — in Lake County, 30 miles south of Vail and 30 miles north of Buena Vista. The former silver mining capital that once rivaled Denver in size has reinvented itself as a high-altitude endurance sports destination: the Leadville Trail 100 Run and Leadville 100 MTB Race bring tens of thousands of athletes and spectators every August, making Leadville one of Colorado's most unusual vacation rental markets. Turquoise Lake is 4 miles west. Mount Massive — Colorado's second highest peak at 14,421 ft — rises directly west of town. Ski Cooper ski area is 10 miles south on US-24.
Median prices in Leadville run $350,000–$480,000 — relatively affordable for an Eagle/Summit County-adjacent market and increasingly attractive to buyers priced out of Vail and Breckenridge. Tayton Capital serves Leadville with USDA for rural Lake County parcels, conventional and FHA for primary buyers, and DSCR for the town's unique race-tourism vacation rental market. NMLS #2106875.
The Leadville Race Series STR Market
August in Leadville is unlike anywhere in Colorado. The Leadville Trail 100 Run (one of the world's most prestigious ultramarathons) and the Leadville 100 MTB Race back-to-back fill every accommodation within 50 miles. Race weekend vacation rental rates in Leadville can reach $500–$1,500/night. This documented demand, combined with summer hiking season and Turquoise Lake recreation, creates a genuine DSCR opportunity at a price point well below Breckenridge or Vail.
Vail Workforce Housing
Leadville is 30 miles south of Vail on US-24 — a commute that resort workers, school district employees, and healthcare workers make daily or weekly in exchange for Leadville's dramatically more affordable prices. We've helped Vail-corridor workers use FHA and conventional financing to buy in Leadville and escape the resort rental trap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really finance a vacation rental in Leadville based on race season income?
Yes — DSCR lenders use documented or projected rental income from Airbnb/VRBO data or an appraiser's rent schedule. Leadville's race season (primarily August, plus summer hiking and fall color) is documented in AirDNA and similar platforms. The price points make the DSCR ratio work well compared to more expensive resort markets.
Is living at 10,152 feet a problem for financing?
The elevation doesn't affect loan qualification or underwriting at all. Appraisers use Leadville comparables, and the market is well-established enough that appraisals are straightforward for standard residential properties.
How close is Leadville to Breckenridge?
24 miles north via CO-91 over Fremont Pass. Many buyers choose Leadville as a more affordable alternative and use Breckenridge, Keystone, and Ski Cooper for ski access. It's a real pattern and we structure those purchases accordingly.
What happened to Leadville's mining economy?
The silver crash of 1893 ended the mining boom, and the Climax Molybdenum Mine (largest moly mine in the world, 15 miles north) has had cycles of activity and closure. Today the economy runs on outdoor tourism, resort economy employment, and growing remote-worker migration.