safety
Leadville Race Series gets green light for final 4 summer events as Willow Fire reaches 40% containment
By Ryan Sederquist Follow
rsederquist@vaildaily.com at Aspen Times
· July 17, 2026
· 7 min read
With the Willow Fire currently holding steady at roughly 6,800 acres and 40% containment, the Leadville Race Series announced Wednesday plans to move forward with its final four events of the summer, including the Leadville Trail 100 MTB and Run.
“The smoke is lifting and the hundreds of perso...
Key takeaway ” The remaining events in the Life Time-sponsored series are the mountain bike stage race July 24-26, the Leadville Trail 100 MTB on Aug.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The decision to proceed with the Leadville Race Series has significant implications for the local economy, particularly in the wake of canceled events like the Fourth of July parade and the Silver Rush 50 trail run and mountain bike races. These events typically draw large crowds and generate substantial revenue for local businesses, which have likely been impacted by the Willow Fire. The green light for the remaining events may provide a much-needed boost to the local tourism industry, which is a crucial component of the regional economy. As the events approach, it will be important to monitor the fire's containment and the air quality in the area, as these factors could still potentially impact the races and the experience of participants and spectators. The collaborative decision-making process that led to this outcome is also noteworthy, highlighting the complex coordination required between various agencies and stakeholders to ensure public safety and support local economic activity.
About this story
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? With the Willow Fire currently holding steady at roughly 6,800 acres and 40% containment, the Leadville Race Series announced Wednesday plans to move forward with its final four events of the summer, including the Leadville Trail 100 MTB and Run.
“The smoke is lifting and the hundreds of perso...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ryan Sederquist Follow
rsederquist@vaildaily.com at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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