Empowerment Express 2024

leadville and southern colorado railroad train depot scenic train rides tours events

Silent Auction Now Open!

Want to support ALC and the Empowerment Express? Whether you’re attending the event or not, join us in the Silent Auction, featuring over 60 amazing items generously donated by local, statewide, and national organizations.

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All Aboard!

Advocates of Lake County’s annual fundraising event, the Empowerment Express, is chugging down the track.

Join us on Saturday, June 1, for dinner, drinks, a silent auction, and a scenic ride through Lake County on the Leadville Railroad.

The Empowerment Express is one of ALC’s biggest sources of unrestricted funds to help us meet our clients’ urgent needs when other funding is unavailable or limited.

Online Ticket Sales Are Now Closed.

A Limited Number of Tickets May Be Available for In-Person Purchase at Leadville Railroad (326 East 7th Street).

Scenic Train Ride

Online Ticket Sales Are Now Closed.

A Limited Number of Tickets May Be Available for In-Person Purchase at Leadville Railroad (326 East 7th Street).

  • Adults (21+) — $50, including admission, 1 adult meal, up to 2 alcoholic beverages, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, and full access to entertainment and activities
  • Youth (12-20) —  $35, including admission, 1 adult meal, unlimited NA beverages, entertainment, access to “Tween Twain” activities car for younger youth
  • Child (0-11) — $0, including admission, 1 child meal (mac ‘n’ cheese and hot dog), unlimited NA beverages, free childcare and activities in Kids’ Caboose/”Tween Twain”
    Note: Parents with children 0-11 can opt to purchase an older-child ticket to get a full meal and still have access to childcare/activities.

It’s the cheapest date night in town, benefitting one of the best causes around!

Adult meals provided by Silver Llama Market & Eatery, with red and white wine courtesy of Mount Massive Liquors and beer and hard seltzer courtesy of Leadville Liquor.

Non-alcoholic beverages and kids’ meals provided by Advocates of Lake County and the Leadville Railroad.

Event Schedule

Thursday, May 30, 2024

  • 3 p.m. MT — Silent auction opens for bidding

Friday, May 31, 2024

  • All Day — Silent auction remains open
  • All Day —Last call for ticket sales!

Saturday, June 1, 2024

  • 5-5:15 p.m. — Arrive at Leadville Railroad train depot (326 East 7th Street in Leadville, at the corner of East 7th and Hazel)
  • 5:15-5:30 p.m. — Opening remarks and board the train
  • 5:30 p.m. — Train departs! Our return time is approximate, but the train will leave the station at 5:30 on the dot so be sure to arrive early!
  • 5:30-7:30(ish) p.m. — Enjoy dinner, drinks, and activities onboard while you take in Lake County’s beautiful scenery, all included with your admission donation
  • 7:30(ish)-8:30(ish) — Train returns to the station! Make your way into the train depot for the official Empowerment Express Afterparty, where you can explore all of our silent auction items in person and make your online bids while enjoying additional beer, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages (modest donation suggested)
  • 11:59:59 p.m. — Silent auction officially ends at midnight

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors

Private and corporate sponsors make the Empowerment Express possible. Sponsorship in any amount $200-$1000+ helps us cover the cost of food, materials, promotion, and other expenses for our event — plus adds to our general operating fund!

Sponsorship tiers:

  • Tier 3: Mount Elbert ($1000+)
  • Tier 2: Mount Massive ($500-999)
  • Tier 1: Mount Sherman ($200-$499)

Food & Beverage Sponsors

silver llama breakfast lunch cafe diner leadville colorado
mount massive liquor store leadville colorado beer wine spirits hard seltzer ice mixers cocktails nonalcoholic snacks
leadville discount liquors drive-through liquor store colorado beer wine spirits

Mount Elbert Sponsors

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority logo 50th anniversary
climax molybdenum mine freeport McMoRan leadville coloardo
Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad scenic tour ride train fall leaves party adventure private wedding tourism siteseeing sitesee

Mount Massive Sponsors

LT100 Legacy Foundation leadville trail one hundred colorado nonprofit race series race across the sky
centennial real estate realtor amy tait leadville colorado lake county home house apartment buy rent
chris turner realty realtor real estate agent leadville lake county
vero fiber high speed internet phone

Mount Sherman Sponsors

leadville exchange colorado high-end consignment thrift shopping secondhand store
mount massive townhomes leadville lake county real estate realtor home
Hpainting LLC
the famous pizza pasta pub italian restaurant leadville colorado
kristen king life coach business coach hypnotist certified leadville colorado
Inn The Clouds hotel hostel inn leadville colorado lake county
floyds of leadville colorado dispensary cbd cannabis
grateful paws premium pet supplies services grooming food doggie daycare leadville lake county colorado
city on a hill coffee shop espresso roastery leadville colorado
Leadville Veterinary Clinic veterinarian vet lake county colorad

Thank You to Our Silent Auction Donors!

Look for generous contributions from these business and others at our 2024 Empowerment Express Silent Auction! The bidding starts on Thursday, May 30, and ends at midnight on Saturday, June 1. All bidding takes place online. Good luck!

denver nuggets basketball team professional nba
freight leadville slumberyard event space venue hotel cabins tiny home house colorado
harperrose harper rose studio art gallery decor jewelry accessories earrings bracelets necklaces bags pillows blankets homegoods decorations sculpture artwork design designer custom boutique
hello fern creations by katie anderson custom pottery mugs crocks crockery dishes plates decor
marley seifert artist poster sticker patch leadville colorado
leadville dance collective colorado studio classes lessons private group individual ballet tap jazz hiphop funk zumba adult child kids
rock hut leadville Colorado rocks gems stones crystals geology collectible artwork
kristen king life coach business coach hypnotist certified leadville colorado
Swim Squared indoor swimming lessons infinity pool high altitude training family swim leadville coloardo lake county
floyds of leadville colorado dispensary cbd cannabis
the majestic bed and breakfast b&b hotel inn rental historic home leadville colorado
nourish day spa leadville colorado massage facial reiki energy seaweed hot stone mud salt scrub
ski cooper leadville colorado ski hill mountain slope family friendly affordable
leadville exchange colorado high-end consignment thrift shopping secondhand store
community threads leadville colorado consignment gifts sporting goods resale shop store
leadville exchange colorado high-end consignment thrift shopping secondhand store
Alpine Furniture Gift Shoppe leadville colorado handmade furniture woodwork woodwoorker
Wilderness Exclusives Fine Art Photography frisco summit colorado photographer artist gallery showroom
copper mountain ski resort hill slope mountain family adult child kid colorado
melanzana microgrid fleece base layer hardshell sweatpants hats socks men women children kids adults leadville colorado local business
distillery291 colorada distillery whisky spirits bourbon rye local
aspen traders leadville colorado gift shop clothing clothes jewelry accessories purses bags shoes boots socks soap jackets coats hats
erin farrow pottery mugs magnets earrings custom designs handmade leadville colorado
fire on the mountain leadville colorado craft store shop art yarn fiber paint pottery supplies classes
iris moon emporium metaphysical shop spiritual tarot oracle rune divination shyla cameron jewelry decor candles ritual crystals stickers earrings clothes clothing leadville colorado
somatic activated healing method SAH chrissy pappas turner
Pernod Ricard distributed by Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits
Two Mile Brewing Company brewery highest leadville coloardo lake county beer
blue earth wellbeing salon spa yoga studio hair massage qui gong erin watkins
buchi cafe cubano cuban sandwiches breakfast lunch coffee cocktails drinks dessert
eye of the world custom photography by ashton sikes leadville colorado portrait wedding engagement graduation baby maternity family photo
grateful paws premium pet supplies services grooming food doggie daycare leadville lake county colorado
Leadville Rental Center equipment rent leadville lake county colorado
Skyline Cinema 8 Mitchell Theatres Movie Theater Dillon Coloardo

About Advocates of Lake County & Empowerment ExpressAdvocates of Lake County is 2023's best nonprofit in leadville/twin lakes, as voted by readers of the Leadville Herald-Democrat

Voted 2023 Best Nonprofit in Leadville/Twin Lakes, Advocates of Lake County has been providing services to survivors of violence and individuals experiencing housing insecurity for over 40 years.

The money we raise through our annual Empowerment Express fundraiser — including ticket sales, silent auction proceeds, donations, and sponsorships — provides critical support by replenishing our general operating budget. The bulk of ALC’s funding comes from government grants that are designated for specific uses and cannot be used in any other way.

Unrestricted funding is vital for a crisis response organization like ALC since expenses can arise for clients that cannot be planned for. The General Operating Budget allows ALC to immediately adapt to the needs of our clients and to cover expenses that cannot be covered by federal grants.