The One Community Project (OCP) is thrilled to share the final Leadville and Lake County Community Values!
Over the past eight months, nearly 1,000 community members helped shape and refine the Community Values through one-on-one interviews, small group conversations, community workshops, and online surveys. The result is a shared expression of the beliefs and priorities that matter most to Leadville and Lake County residents, helping define our identity as a place.
The final Leadville and Lake County Community Values are:
CONNECTION TO NATURE AND OUTDOORS – We value our connection to nature and our access to the mountains, water, and outdoor spaces where we adventure, spend time together, or find quiet alone. This gives us a deep appreciation of the natural world and a shared responsibility to care for it.
A REAL COMMUNITY, BUILT BY REAL PEOPLE – Building a life at 10,000 feet makes us strong and resilient. We value hard work, authenticity, and good character over image, and take pride in the local spirit sustained by our everyday people.
NURTURING OUR ROOTS – We value the diverse cultures, people, and traditions that make our community unique. By caring for our historic places and community spaces, we build pride and stronger connections.
NEIGHBORS WHO CARE – We value being part of a community where people know, support, and look out for one another, and where everyone has the opportunity to feel welcomed by and connected to our neighbors.
WORKING TOGETHER – We value being a community where people roll up their sleeves to solve problems, striving to show up, listen, and work together even when we disagree.
OUR ABILITY TO STAY HERE – We value stability, opportunity, and belonging across the full arc of life, where people can put down roots, feel involved, and thrive from childhood to old age.
The Leadville & Lake County Community Values will serve as the foundation of the community’s next comprehensive plan, ensuring that the plan is not only a land use document but a living reflection of what residents care most about.
“Our Community Values provide a moral and cultural framework that will guide policy choices across land use, housing, transportation, economic development, and environmental protections,” said Lake County Community Planning & Development Director Anne Schneider. “They set benchmarks against which progress can be measured, helping leaders stay accountable to their constituents. And they will provide a consistent foundation for making decisions over time, even when there are changes in leadership.”