Telluride, Colorado
Telluride is the county seat and most populous town of San Miguel County in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Colorado. 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 as "Columbia", but due to confusion with a California town of the same name, was renamed Telluride in 1887 for the gold telluride minerals found in other parts of Colorado. These telluride minerals were never found near Telluride, but the area's mines for some years provided zinc, lead, copper, silver, and other gold ores.
Telluride, Colorado | |
|---|---|
Colorado Avenue: As seen from The New Sheridan Hotel | |
| Nickname: To-Hell-You-Ride | |
Location of Telluride in San Miguel County, Colorado | |
| Coordinates: 37°56′21″N 107°48′59″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| County | San Miguel County – seat |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Incorporated | February 10, 1887, as Columbia |
| Government | |
| • Type | Home rule municipality |
| • Mayor | DeLanie Young Town Council |
| • State Representative | Marc Catlin |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.22 sq mi (5.76 km2) |
| • Land | 2.22 sq mi (5.76 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 8,750 ft (2,667 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 2,607 |
| • Density | 1,172/sq mi (452.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code | 81435 |
| Area code | 970 |
| FIPS code | 08-76795 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0204747 |
| Website | Town of Telluride |
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.