History
The Herald Democrat, serving Leadville and Lake County, Colorado, is a compilation of the earliest Leadville newspapers, including the Reveille, the Chronicle, the Herald and the Democrat. On Oct. 21, 1879, the Daily Herald published its first edition. The Democrat was started in January 1880. C. C. Davis consolidated the ownership of the Chronicle, Herald and Democrat in 1886. On July 25, 1986, the paper was purchased by current owner, Arkansas Valley Publishing Company, owned by Merle Baranczyk. Today the Herald prints on Thursdays and is available 24/7 on our website. Since 1998, Herald staffers have earned more than 75 awards for writing, advertising, photography and design from the Colorado Press Association. In 2010, '13, '14 and '16, Editor Marcia Martinek received Golden Dozen Awards for outstanding editorial writing from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors. In 2015 she received the First Amendment Award from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Specialties
Leadville, Colorado's paper of record since 1879. Breaking news, sports, opinion and local events available in print and online. Vacation information maps and real estate can be found in our special editions: the Leadville/Lake County Heritage Guide; Discover the Heart of Colorado; the Best of Leadville/Lake County; The Upper Arkansas Cycling Guide; Central Colorado Fishing Guide; Rocky Mountain Home & Garden; Winter, Summer and Real Estate magazines. All available in print and online.