Ringing in 2020 @ 10,200’

The 411 on Pbville for NYE

This Tuesday, Leadville’s neon lights will shine bright on historic Harrison Avenue, beckoning in the New Year. It’s a new decade! It’s a new year! So here’s what you need to know about Ringing in 2020 @ 10,200’ in America’s highest city – Leadville, Colorado!

The Historic Pastime Bar & Cafe is holding a Roaring 20s New Year’s Eve party. Get out your Gatlin gun or flapper dress and hit up Leadville’s former red-light district! They will be giving away prizes for the best costumes. So round-up your barlow, or your favorite cellar smeller,  because whether you’re a billboard or a brooksy, it’s sure to be the cat’s pajamas down on W. 2^nd Street this Tuesday night! The Pastime is the last remaining saloon on Old State Street, the notorious bordello row of debauchery!

Say goodbye to 2019 at Leadville’s Historic Pastime Bar & Cafe on West 2nd Street in Leadville. Photo: Leadville Today/Danielle Orcutt

When it comes to all-out midnight madness, The Scarlet Tavern will be the spot of choice, especially among the younger rabble-rousers. Their annual New Year’s Eve party on Tuesday night will showcase “Horizon Line.” This energetic, Rocky Mountain 4-piece band offers its own distinct sound, playing all of your favorite rock and jam band covers, as well as a selection of original songs inspired by high-country living.

These musicians call Leadville home, so you’re likely to see some familiar faces, but probably not until 12 a.m., as this NYE fete is a Masquerade Party.  Be sure to stick around for the midnight mask reveal, prompting that first kiss and toast in 2020! If you don’t have a mask, don’t worry! There will be a limited amount of masks to pass out. While there will NOT be a cover, everyone will have to show their ID (and face!) at the door. The Scarlet is located at 326 Harrison Ave. in downtown Leadville.

The Treeline Kitchen will be ringing in the next decade with a New Year’s Eve Speakeasy Popup Bar from 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. The crew will be offering specialty cocktails, small bites, music, photo opps, and party favors! There will be a champagne toast at midnight, and attendance prizes will be awarded! Admission is free. To gain access to this party, see the host inside Treeline, then use the code word ‘Chief’ to get into the party. The Treeline Kitchen is located at 615 Harrison Avenue in downtown Leadville in the Sayer McKee Plaza.

If you like your New Year’s Eve straight up, without too much fanfare, then head over to the corner of 7th and Harrison Avenue where The Manhattan will be ringing in 2020 in its typical understated style. Yes, they’ll be a champagne toast at midnight and you could find a party favor or two, but the music selection will be subject to whoever’s racking up the credits on the jukebox. But the cherry-and-whipped-cream atop the Manhattan’s NYE party is that the lovely Silver will be serving up your cocktails. Come and ring in 2020 with some hardcore, longtime locals. It could be just the thing you need to shake things up for the next decade!

Freight will be hosting Leadville’s Groove speak in a two-set live performance. The first set is from 7:30 – 9 p.m. and the second set is from 9:30 – 11:30 p.m. Tickets $15 at the door. This venue is located at 320 E. 9th Street.

The Scarlet’s annual NYE Party will welcome home-grown Horizon Line to the stage starting at 9 p.m. this Tuesday. Photo: Horizon Line Facebook Page.

The latest news from Ski Cooper has been the “Moose is Loose,” as several of the giants have been greeting skiers and boarders on the slopes, forcing management to shut down the lift lines at one point last week. Hopefully, those will be the only beasts you encounter as you make your last turns of 2019. Of course, the mountain will be open all day on New Year’s Eve but stick around for the party. The NYE merriment starts at 3 p.m. with live music at Katie O’Rourke’s Irish Pub located in the lodge. This year, some local friends will be singing out the final notes of 2019 as Sam Galey, Mary Jelf & Bill Lucchetti hit the stage for some Après ski fun! Cheers!

If you’re looking to get out of town, then Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort might have just what you’re looking for – that is, if they haven’t sold out by now. The New Year’s Eve Party from 9 p.m. until 1:30 a.m in the Pavilion will have live music by La Pompe Jazz, appetizers and a champagne toast at midnight. Dinner in the clubhouse is already sold out with a waiting list, but $10 will get you in the door at the party. Reservations required: 719-395-2447 Ext: 232.

Other NYE news from down south includes a show by none other than Leadville Cherokee! While there doesn’t seem to be any hometown Pb dates for this namesake group, on Tuesday you can catch them at The Lariat down on Main Street in BV starting at 10 p.m. The New Year’s Eve show will mark a return to some of the group’s old favorites as well as some new tunes they’ve been working on! Leadville Cherokee reunited in 2019 after an extended reprieve; let’s hope the new decade brings them back to their roots for a Leadville show in 2020!

That’s a wrap for this year’s NYE report from Leadville Today. If you’ve got something to add, send an email to info@leadvilletoday.com. Wherever you ring in 2020, plan ahead: walk home, arrange a ride beforehand, or plan to stay the night. Begin 2020 wisely with responsible drinking and smart choices. See you out on the town this Tuesday! Happy New Year!

Leadville’s Year-In-Review Video Gallery: 2013-2018