WHY CALL THE TELLURIDE REGION HOME
Nestled in a box canyon and surrounded by 13,000-14,000 foot Peaks, Telluride is a majestic place that will surely make your jaw drop in awe of its spectacular beauty. When you pass the preserved Valley floor and drive into town you notice the towering peaks at the end of the box canyon and the quaint Victorian Architecture that has not changed because Telluride is a designated National Historic District. Two waterfalls grace the end of the canyon – Ingram and Bridal Veil (the states tallest waterfall at 365 ft.).
A walk down the main street (Colorado Ave.) delights the senses. Whether its freshly made waffle cones at the Sweet Life, stunning artwork in Telluride Gallery of Fine Art, the numerous dogs awaiting the return of their owners, or the three hundred plus days of Colorado sunshine warming your face, it’s a place you will never forget.
Hailed as the festival capital of the Rockies, there is always something going on in Telluride! If culture and the arts are your style, then take in any one of many concerts, theatre productions, readings, lectures, art galleries walks, or art classes.
Both in winter and summer, outdoor pursuits such as skiing, mountain biking, camping, climbing, hiking and boating the rivers abound making it a recreational paradise. Whatever your passion, you can experience it here in Telluride!
History of Telluride
By historic standards, Telluride is a fairly modern town. The first white pioneers settled on the Valley Floor in 1876, west of the present town’s site. Once gold was discovered, the boom was on. In a short span of twenty years, the town grew from a hodgepodge of cabins and shacks to rows of elegant Victorians and stately brick buildings.
Main street businesses were soon decorated with elaborate facades, many of which remain today. Due to its important contributions to early mining, Telluride was designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 1964. Any new building or remodel plans must be reviewed and approved by HARC (Historic Architectural Review Committee) before construction begins. Thus maintaing its historic integrity.
To learn more about Telluride’s History please visit the Telluride Historical Museum.
Mountain Village sits above Telluride at an elevation of 9545. It is known for its more modern mountain architecture combining wood and stone treatments. During the winter, the pedestrian-friendly center turns into a bustling plaza for skiers and snowboarders. During the summer, Mountain Village hosts the Sunset Concert Series every Wednesday. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the free music and of course the spectacular sunset.
For summer 2009 line-up please visit www.mountain-village.co.us
Telluride Region
To the south are the small communities of Ophir, Trout Lake and San Bernardo. Ophir is primarily residential and home to Waterfall and Swamp Canyons. In the summer months, when the Ophir Pass opens, the road takes you to Silverton.
A little further south is Trout Lake, which is reminiscent of a postcard from Switzerland.
North of Telluride takes you to the “tropics/banana belt” region; Sawpit, Fall Creek and Placerville. The areas sit quietly tucked along the San Miguel River where the fall and spring months are known to be one month longer.
Sawpit is home to The Sawpit Mercantile (a gas station and general store) and down the the road you’ll find the famous Blue Jay Café.
Placerville is a small town, which was once a stop on the Rio Grande Southern Railroad. It’s where the ranchers would load their cattle from the Mesa Ranches. Traveling up several county dirt roads from Hwy. 145 you will find yourself out of the river canyon and onto the mesas; Wilson, Sunshine, Hastings, Specie and Iron Springs/Horsefly Mesas where open spaces with rolling meadows full of wildflowers can be seen as far as the eye can see.
Ridgway is the center of the Uncompahgre Valley and has an elevation of 6,895 feet. The town is surrounded by peaks and the jagged skyline of Mt. Sneffels, Courthouse, and Chimney Rock which are the Dallas and Cimarron mountain ranges. Ridgway is centrally located just 37 miles from Telluride skiing, 9 miles to Ouray hot springs, and 2 miles to the Ridgway State Park and Reservoir. This enchanted area is well protected with 48 percent of the contiguous lands cared for by the Bureau of Land Management and National Forest.
Ouray has an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet and lies 10 miles to the south of Ridgway on U.S. Highway 550. The quiet western town of Ouray is a world-renowned destination for ice-climbing. Boasting the nation’s first park dedicated to the sport, Ouray hosts the annual Ouray Ice Festival every January, which draws crowds from around the globe. Throughout the year, residents and visitors alike can access dozens of biking and hiking trails from within the city limits. Its natural hot springs, easy-going atmosphere, and abundance of casual dining establishments make Ouray the perfect location to escape to for recreational enjoyment and relaxation—or to live year-round.
Norwood is a small town west of Telluride and offers quintessential wide-open spaces! This primarily ranching community hosts several events every summer; Horse Races and the San Miguel County Fair & Rodeo held at the San Miguel County Fairgrounds. There are gorgeous ranch lands dotted with horses, cattle, and sheep for as far as the eye can see, and to the west you can see the La Sal Mountains in Utah.
