Our Story

Leadville by Lamplight Tours offers an immersive experience into Leadville's Victorian past, blending history, folklore, and the paranormal into an unforgettable experience.

Leadville by Lamplight Tours was founded by Leadville author and historian Roger Pretti, whose lifelong fascination with Leadville's past drove him to research historic newspaper records, preserve oral histories from longtime Leadville residents, and uncover the forgotten stories that have been lost to time. 

After Roger’s unexpected passing in October 2022, his daughter, Rhone Pretti, dedicated herself to carrying on his legacy. Today, Rhone continues to recount Roger’s research with her own rendition of Leadville by Lamplight Tours. 

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Meet Roger

Born and raised in Colorado, Roger was a 50-year resident of Leadville whose passion for mining, history, and the paranormal shaped his life’s work. He wrote for the Leadville Chronicle newspaper and authored two books recounting Leadville’s past.

A world traveler, explorer, accomplished archaeologist, and seasoned tour guide, Roger devoted his life to documenting Leadville’s oral histories and preserving the memories of its longtime residents. His love for the town is woven into every story shared on these tours, a legacy that continues through his daughter, Rhone.

Meet Rhone

Rhone is a sixth-generation Colorado native with family ties to Leadville dating back to the 1880s. Several of her ancestors lost their lives in mining accidents and are buried in Leadville’s historic cemeteries, including Evergreen Cemetery, making her connection and love for Leadville deeply personal.

Inspired by her father, Rhone continues historical research for Leadville by Lamplight Tours while working on her own forthcoming books. She is a graduate of Colorado Mesa University, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Criminal Justice, with concentrations in Archaeology and Forensics.

Like her father, she is an avid explorer and world traveler, often found in Colorado’s backcountry and exploring the world's most historic locales.

Colorado Women's Hall of Fame Student Video Contest

Rhone recently participated in the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame Student Video Contest and won first place, where her love of history transpired in a biography of Elizabeth “Baby Doe” Tabor, Colorado’s Silver Queen. Elizabeth Tabor was the wife of Horace Tabor, the first postmaster of Leadville, and their story of riches to rags marks an important segment in not only Leadville history, but Colorado history as well.

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