Telluride Colorado

A Brief History of Telluride

Used as a summer camp for centuries by Ute Indians and named by Spanish explorers in the 1700’s, the San Juan Mountains lured fortune seekers to Colorado with visions of silver and gold. By the mid-1870’s, the Sheridan Mine was the first in a string of local claims and a tent camp was established in the valley below. Originally called Columbia, the rowdy mining camp became a town in 1878, and changed its name to Telluride, Colorado.

With the coming of the railroad in 1890, the remote boomtown flourished. A melting pot of immigrants seeking their fortunes turned Telluride, CO into a thriving community of 5,000. Prosperity abounded, and Telluride was full of thrilling possibilities. But when silver prices crashed in 1893, followed by the First World War, the mining boom collapsed. Miners moved on and the town’s population gradually dwindled from thousands to hundreds.

In the 1970’s, Telluride reinvented itself. Legendary powder – a different sort of gold – was being mined. When the Telluride Ski Resort opened in 1973, the character of the community changed and the town spun back into high gear. It was again a time of thrilling possibilities. The Telluride ski area now has a reputation for world-class slopes and a stunning mountain ambience.

Born of the same adventurous spirit that birthed the Telluride ski community, many cultural events, festivals, music, and performing arts were also founded during the Telluride renaissance of the 1970s. One of the most famous of all Telluride events is the Telluride Film Festival. For over 30 years, it has helped bring attention to classic, obscure, and experimental films and filmmakers from around the world. If you prefer environmental and mountain-themed movies, the Telluride Mt. Film festival is America’s oldest mountain film genre festival.

Telluride, CO is where you can find beauty in both art and nature. Due to its significant role in the history of the American West, the core area of Telluride was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1964. This listing is the highest level of historic status available to sites designated by the United States Secretary of the Interior. Telluride is one of only four other Colorado communities with this honor. The sites are even eligible for consideration as National Parks.

Citizens are committed to preserving Telluride’s historically significant architecture, open space, and traditional design elements, and most of all, Telluride’s small town mountain lifestyle.