Alma is a statutory town in Park County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 296 at the 2020 United States Census. Alma is located West and South of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor. Description At an elevation of approximately , Alma is the highest incorporated municipality in the United States when considering only areas with permanent residents. Its post office is located at the highest elevation of any in the country. Alma, which is considered a town and not a city, does not take the title of "highest incorporated city" from Leadville, Colorado. Using administrative boundaries as a measure, not settled areas, in 2006 Winter Park, Colorado became the highest incorporated town due to its annexation of a ski area. Beyond the official limits of Alma is a residential area which extends to above sea level on Mountain View Drive; this area uses Fairplay, Colorado addresses, despite being slightly closer to Alma. History The town was named by a merchant named Mr. James, after his wife. Another tradition states the town was named for the daughter of a resident. Mines Alma grew as a town around the Buckskin Gulch, where gold was first discovered in the area. As hard rock mines opened on Mount Bross, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Democrat, the population of the area continued to grow. In the 1870s, Alma's population peaked at around 10,000 people. The area around Alma contains 17,452 mining sites, mostly placer mines. Approximately two miles from Alma are the remains of the defunct Orphan Boy mine (founded 1861), which produced gold, silver, lead, and zinc over a number of decades. The historic Sweet Home Mine near Alma, formerly a silver mine, now produces the mineral rhodochrosite. Geography Alma is located along State Highway 9. At the 2020 United States Census, the town had a total area of including of water. Climate Alma has a subarctic climate (Dfc), or what could be called a subalpine climate due to its elevation, with only two months above the 50° isotherm. Alma is the coldest inhabited town in the Lower 48, having a lower yearly mean than other towns known for their extreme cold temperatures, such as Embarrass, Minnesota. Summers are pleasant, with mild days and chilly nights and have no real growing season due to frosts and occasional summer snow. The wettest months are July and August due