Telluride was first formally established as a town in 1888 as a mining hamlet. Columbia was the first name associated with the town, but when the US Post Office refused to set up an local branch in the town the name was changed to Telluride. Columbia was the name of town in California and it was thought to be too confusing to a post office in Columbia, Colorado. The population during the height of the mining boom was up to 5,000 residents.
When the mining industry ceased to be profitable, Telluride became a distinctive resort town destination for incredible snow skiing. As Telluride became more and more popular as a ski resort, local entrepreneurs incorporated year around activities with many local festivals to attract tourists and vacationers year round. Mountain biking, hiking, fishing and kayaking are some of the many summer activites vacationers love to participate in.
In the year 2006 the town of Telluride had a resident population of approximately 2,267 people. During peak tourist and vacation times the town is teeming with people. It is located in a beautiful, stunning box canyon in the San Juan range of the Rocky Mountains at about 8,750 feet above sea level.
Telluride has a colorful and fascinating history with a melting pot of immigrants making the difficult journey through the Rocky Mountains to find their fortunes. Finns, Swedes, Irish, Cornish, French, Italians, Germans and Chinese supported themselves in the mining industry. Some of the immigrants ran the businesses to support mining, including saloons, gambling and a highly acclaimed red-light district.
One of the most infamous and perhaps little know facts of it's early history is Butch Cassidy robbed his first bank in Telluride.
Today the town is a diverse, high-end, remarkably safe and crime-free secluded box canyon. The climate varies from arid, desert like conditions to high-mountain forests and everything between.
The culture is as diverse as the terrain offering festivals all summer long. You will find something you like from Bluegrass to Chamber music, world premier films, and even micro brewed beers. Delight yourself exploring the many boutiques, art galleries, bookstores, gourmet restaurants, historic buildings in downtown Telluride.
- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
