Leadville’s signature endurance races are still on the calendar this summer, and a lot of locals are quietly crossing their fingers that race weekend can stop a rough tourist season from getting worse. Weeks of smoke from the Willow Fire have kept the high-country town hazy and anxious, and at least one major event has already been scrapped. With roughly a month to go before the headline races, small-business owners say the surge of runners, crews and spectators could be the difference between writing off the season and clawing some of it back.
Organizers Keep Dates, Rethink Routes
In a recent letter, the Leadville Race Series said it has the green light to move ahead with the 2026 season "barring any further developments" related to the fire. Organizers are reworking courses and logistics to account for fire damage and access issues, and staff plan to post key updates for entrants on routes, crew locations, aid stations and cutoff times.
One race has already taken a hit. The Silver Rush 50, slated for July 6, was canceled earlier this month, according to Leadville Twin Lakes.
Wildfire Keeps Town On Edge
The Willow Fire, which started June 28, has burned thousands of acres west of town and turned the smoke into a near-constant backdrop on Harrison Avenue while fire crews work containment lines. KUNC reported the blaze at roughly 6,800 acres and nearly 40 percent containment as of July 16, with federal and state crews focused on protecting homes and critical infrastructure.
To help pay for the fight, state officials announced in early July that FEMA had authorized a Fire Management Assistance Grant, according to the Denver Gazette.
Race Dollars Matter
The stakes for getting runners to the starting line are not just emotional. A Colorado Mountain College economic assessment cited by the EPA estimated that the Leadville Race Series brought roughly 15 million dollars into Lake County in a single year.
This summer has looked very different. Lake County Tourism and Economic Development director Adam Ducharme told Denver7 that out-of-market visitors dropped from about 115,600 on June 28 to roughly 69,200 by July 7, roughly a 40 percent slide. Race director Tamira Jenlink told the same outlet she has about 9,000 individual registrations lined up for this summer’s series. Local business owners say even part of that crowd showing up would feel like a lifeline in a season that is already off pace, according to Denver7.
What To Expect Before Race Day
Organizers say final decisions on exact routes, crew spots and cutoff times are still in the works and will be sent directly to entrants and posted on the race website. The Leadville Trail 100 Run is scheduled for August 22, per the Leadville Race Series, and staff says they are coordinating closely with local agencies to balance public safety with the town’s need for visitor spending.
Runners and spectators should plan for changed aid station locations and possible course reroutes, depending on fire behavior and access as race day gets closer.
Plan Ahead If You Visit
Local officials and tourism groups are urging would-be visitors to check road conditions, air-quality reports and any evacuation notices before heading to Leadville, and to follow all current fire restrictions. The Visit Leadville "Know Before You Go" page carries the latest advisories and tourism updates for travelers timing trips around the summer race calendar.
