Our Story

"Leadville by Lamplight Tours blends history, folklore, and the paranormal into a walk through Leadville's Victorian Era."

It was founded by Leadville author and historian Roger Pretti, who spent his life digging through newspaper archives and collecting oral histories from longtime residents to uncover forgotten stories.  

Roger passed away unexpectedly in October 2022. Today, his daughter Rhone guides the tours, continuing his research and telling the stories in her own way.

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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.

An archaeologist and seasoned tour guide, Roger spent decades collecting oral histories and preserving the memories of its longtime residents.

Meet Rhone

Rhone is a sixth-generation Colorado native with family ties to Leadville dating back to the 1880s. Several of her ancestors died in mining accidents and are buried in Leadville’s historic cemeteries, including Evergreen Cemetery.

She continues her father's research for Leadville by Lamplight Tours while working on her own forthcoming books. Rhone graduated from Colorado Mesa University with degrees in Anthropology and Criminal Justice, concentrating in Archaeology and Forensics.

Colorado Women's Hall of Fame Student Video Contest

Rhone 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.

The Tours