Discover the elevation of Silverton—a high-altitude mining town nestled deep in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. With a rich mining history, extreme terrain, and alpine charm, Silverton stands tall as one of the highest towns in the United States.

Table of Contents

Where is Silverton?

  • Location: Silverton is located in San Juan County, Colorado, deep in the San Juan Mountains of the southwestern part of the state.
  • Nearby Connections: Closely linked to Durango via the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

City Profile

  • Status: A statutory town and the county seat of San Juan County.
  • Area: Only 0.85 square miles.
  • Population: Home to a small community of around 630 people.
  • Heritage: Most of the town is part of a National Historic Landmark District.

Elevation Basics

  • Elevation: Silverton sits at an altitude of 9,318 feet (2,840 m) above sea level—making it one of the highest towns in the U.S.
  • Founded: Established in 1874 as a silver mining hub.
  • Early Inhabitants: Originally inhabited by native Ute people before white settlers arrived.
  • Modern economy: Now relies heavily on tourism, especially historical and mountain recreation.

Must-Know Elevation Facts

  • Elevation definition: Indicates how high a place is above sea level.
  • U.S. city comparison: Most U.S. towns and cities are built at 500 feet (152 m) or less.
  • Ski resort elevations:
    • Silverton Mountain: Top elevation of 13,487 feet (4,111 m).
    • Kendall Mountain: Peaks at 13,340 feet (4,066 m).
  • Nearby city elevation:
    • Durango: 6,512 feet (1,988 m)
    • Leadville: Slightly higher at 10,152 feet (3,094 m)
  • Colorado mean elevation: 6,800 feet (2,070 m)—the highest of any U.S. state.
  • Other major Colorado city elevations:
    • Denver: 5,280 feet (1,609 m) – "Mile High City"
    • Aurora: 5,472 feet (1,668 m)
    • Colorado Springs: 6,033 feet (1,839 m)

Climate and Tourism

  • Climate type: Alpine subarctic climate with cold temperatures year-round.
  • Freezing conditions: Temperatures regularly drop below freezing throughout the year.
  • Average temperatures:
    • January: Highs of 34°F (1°C), lows of -2°F (-19°C).
    • July: Highs of 73°F (23°C), lows of 38°F (3°C).
  • Precipitation:
    • Rain: Light rain year-round.
    • Snow: Over 150 inches annually.
  • Top activity: Riding the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
  • Railroad facts:
    • Dating back to the late 19th century.
    • Runs 45 miles with a 3-foot (914 mm) track gauge.
  • Nearby attractions:
    • Silverton Mountain – Opened in 2002; extreme terrain; for expert skiers and snowboarders.
    • Features 1,819 acres of skiable terrain and thousands more in adjacent backcountry.

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