Formed November 1, 1861 (11th county)
Lake County (7,428), Leadville (2,627)
A Modern 1956 courthouse has R. F. Linstedt as the architect. The facility is on Harrison Street between 5th and 6th streets. Harrison Street is United States Highway 24 through Leadville. There was an 1880 courthouse also in Leadville, the only county seat. Lake County was established on November 1, 1861 as one of the originals. It is the 11th county. It gave up territory to Saguache, Hinsdale, La Plata, San Juan, Ouray, Chaffee, and Gunnison counties. The county got its name from the Twin Lakes. Leadville’s name comes from the local mineral deposits. The center of the county is 9.9 miles South-Southwest of Leadville.
Lake County government consists of a sheriff, assessor, manager, coroner, and treasurer (executive). It has 3 Commissioners (legislative.) Six District Court Judges serve Lake, Clear Creek, Eagle, and Summit counties and a Trial Court Judge, clerk, and county attorney serve Lake County (judicial.) Lake County is located in the center of the state. The Continental Divide forms the north and west borders of the county. The Arkansas River originates in the county. Denver, Colorado is northeast and Colorado Springs, Colorado is southeast of the county. The county is surrounded clockwise by Eagle, Summit, Park, Chaffee, and Pitkin counties.
The area of the county is 383.6 square miles. The county is 61 out of 64 in the state. It ranks 42 out of 64 in population in the state. It has a density of 19.4 persons per square mile making it 24 out of 64 in the state. Lake County has 35.4% of its population in its incorporated areas. United States Highway 24 crosses north to south in Lake County from Eagle County to Chaffee County. The highest point in Colorado, Mt. Elbert, is in the county. The county is shaped like a tree top. Leadville is located in the northern third of the county. Leadville is the county seat and the largest city and the only incorporated city. It is 35.4% of the county population. The county is in the Edwards Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Leadville
