Luc Hatlestad

Other mountain towns may offer more tourist-focused amenities, but anyone who wants to kick it Colorado-style—hiking, biking, camping—needs to check out Leadville, North America’s highest incorporated city. The onetime mining town maintains its historic ruggedness and authenticity but with a funky flair, thanks to gritty cast of characters: hippies, bikers, cowboys, lifties, and other outdoor adventurers.

As 2023 draws to a close, the entire Gustavus community is reflecting on a year packed with accolades and achievements. kAmuC@> 24256>:4[ 4C62E:G6[ 2?5 :?E6==64EF2= 244@>A=:D9>6?ED E@ ?2E:@?2= 492>A:@?D9:AD 2?5 p==\p>6C:42?D[ vFDE:6D D9:?65 282:? 2?5 282:?] q6=@H 2C6 >2?J @7 E96 9:89=:89ED]k^Am kAmkDEC@?8my2?F2CJk^DEC@?8mk^Am kAm%96 r@==686 H6=4@>65 }u{ w2== @7 u2>6C 2?5 7@C>6C $E2E6 $FAC6>6 r@FCE yFDE:46 p=2? !286 7@C E96 2??F2= #6G6C6?5 |2CE:? {FE96C z:?8 s2J |6>@C:2= 46=63C2E:@?]k^Am kAmx?

Distant taillights were the only beacons in the darkness. In the minivan trailing the twin red dots sat Diaa Abood, his trusted friend, and a driver they’d hired to ferry them to safety. The friend palmed a metal bar, making sure the driver saw the crude weapon so he wouldn’t have to wield it. Along with these three were Diaa’s wife, Hoda Tawfik, their six kids, who ranged in age from one to 12, and the friend’s family—a baker’s dozen crammed into the escape vehicle.