Telluride, Colorado

Telluride, Colorado
Colorado Avenue: As seen from The New Sheridan Hotel
Colorado Avenue: As seen from The New Sheridan Hotel
Location of Telluride in San Miguel County, Colorado
Location of Telluride in San Miguel County, Colorado
Coordinates: 37°56′22″N 107°49′05″W / 37.93944°N 107.81806°W / 37.93944; -107.81806
CountryUnited States
StateColorado
CountySan Miguel County, Coloradoseat
Founded1878
IncorporatedFebruary 10, 1887, as Columbia
Government
 • TypeHome rule municipality
 • MayorTeddy Errico [citation needed]
Area
 • Total2.22 sq mi (5.76 km2)
 • Land2.22 sq mi (5.76 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation8,754 ft (2,668 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total2,607
 • Density1,172/sq mi (452.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
ZIP code
81435
Area code970
FIPS code08-76795
GNIS feature ID2413371[2]
WebsiteTown of Telluride
Telluride geologic map and location of historic mines
Fall colors in Telluride. View from the ski area, 2010

Telluride is the county seat and most populous town of San Miguel County in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Colorado.[3] The town is a former silver mining camp on the San Miguel River in the western San Juan Mountains. The first gold mining claim was made in the mountains above Telluride in 1875, and early settlement of what is now Telluride followed. The town was founded in 1878.[4]

Telluride sits in a box canyon. Steep forested mountains and cliffs surround it, with Bridal Veil Falls situated at the canyon's head. Numerous weathered ruins of old mining operations dot the hillsides. A free gondola connects the town with its companion town, Mountain Village, at the base of the ski area. Telluride and the surrounding area have featured prominently in popular culture, and it is the subject of several popular songs. It is especially known for its ski resort and slopes during the winter, as well as an extensive festival schedule during the summer, including the Hot Air Balloon Festival, which traditionally occurs the first weekend in June.

The Telluride Historic District, which includes a significant portion of the town, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also one of Colorado's 20 National Historic Landmarks. The town population was 2,607 in the 2020 United States Census.[5]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Telluride, Colorado
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "History of Telluride". Telluride, CO - Official Website. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  5. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Telluride town, Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2022.