Telluride has a close community with high energy at high altitudes
Cradled by the jagged peaks of the San Juan Mountains, Telluride offers a secluded, outdoor lifestyle with a historic downtown district right off the slopes. “Few ski resorts have a town you can ski to and from,” says Mike Shimkonis with Telluride Properties, LLC, who has lived in the area since 1993. “It’s a historic, innovative and robust sanctuary.” Streets are lined with aged brick buildings and facades that have evaded demolition for over a century. “When you’re in the heart of town, you step back in time to the Victorian-era mining boom.” Instead of buses on the road, residents will see gondolas in the air, transporting people to work or out to dinner. Telluride is a small town with a lot of culture, where Shimkonis says, “The water is clear, the air is clean, and traffic is light.”
Outdoor recreation shifts with the seasons
Adventurers worldwide come to Telluride to carve the powdered mountains in the winter and go biking or climbing once the snow melts. Slopes range from beginner runs to challenging black diamonds covered in moguls. Via ferrata climbers scale the cliffs and off-roading vehicles reach some of the highest peaks. The San Miguel River accommodates whitewater rafters and anglers, and stand-up paddleboarders frequent the calm, narrow creeks. Town Park occupies the southeast corner of Telluride and features athletic facilities ranging from baseball fields to an indoor ice rink. The Valley Floor stretches out from the edge of town, offering 600 acres of protected land for Nordic skiing and biking.
From luxury mountain chalets to Victorian cottages off Colorado Avenue
Telluride’s rugged geological features have stayed intact throughout the years, and homes blend seamlessly into the natural contours of the mountains. Ranches and farmland occupy the surrounding canyons and valleys of the nearby mesas. Shimkonis describes the architecture downtown as having “intricate trim work, ornate touches and steep roofs.” Mountain Village, just southwest of downtown, is more “alpine chic.” Residents see rolling meadows and winding creeks from their floor-to-ceiling windows in lieu of suburban streets and front lawns. Buyers will rarely find a single-family property for under $1 million, and sales in 2025 have closed for up to $19 million. Condos downtown and off the slopes range from $350,000 to $1 million for two-to-three-bedroom units, while luxury townhouses start at $1 million and can reach $12 million.
A small town with a full event calendar and a thriving art scene
Community volunteers plan and execute many activities in Telluride. On Christmas and New Year’s eves, the mountains light up with torchlight parades, and the Fourth of July celebration brings in big crowds. “It’s Americana at its finest,” Shimkonis says. “It’s straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, but throw in some cowboys, miners and some F-16s flying 100 feet off the ground.” The historic Sheridan Opera House anchors the local arts scene, hosting concerts, comedy shows and performances year-round. Town Park throws events in the summer, including the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Blues & Brews. “We have world-class talent coming here for intimate events,” Shimkonis says. “Even at the bigger festivals, you can just walk up and see these huge artists up close.” Mountainfilm kicks off the season in May with documentary screenings, and the Telluride Film Festival draws major premieres and industry names for a weekend of celebrating cinema.
A few blocks, packed with shops and cuisines
Though downtown Telluride is just eight blocks wide and 12 blocks long, it’s full of character. Historic brick buildings, weathered wood facades and sun-faded awnings line the narrow streets, where bikes and dogs outnumber cars. There’s a push to shop locally, with independent bookstores, boutiques and gear shops sandwiched between cafes and bars. Clarks Market stocks groceries and essentials, though big-box options, like Safeway and Target, are 66 miles away in Montrose. “We shop and fill up our tanks about an hour and a half away in Montrose and load up for three weeks or so,” Shimkonis says. A meal out may consist of fresh pasta from 221 South Oak, wood-fired pies at La Pizzeria or a long evening over small plates at La Cosina de Luz.
Telluride School District No. R-1 ranks among the best in the country
Telluride Elementary covers prekindergarten through second grade, and it's not yet rated by Niche. Telluride Intermediate School teaches third through sixth grade and earns an A-minus. Telluride Middle/High School has an A rating. According to Niche, the district ranks among the top five in the state and the top 6% in the country. It also holds the No. 2 spot for best teachers in Colorado. A-rated Telluride Mountain School offers private education for pre-K through 12th grade.
One highway and taking the gondola into town
Telluride is remote by design. “It’s the end of the road; there’s only one way in and one way out,” Shimkonis says. “When standing in downtown Telluride, the closest traffic lights are 40 to 200 miles away.” Visitors arrive by Highway 145 after flying into Montrose Regional Airport, 66 miles away. The Telluride Regional Airport also offers limited seasonal services. Most people get around town by the free gondola links between Telluride and Mountain Village.
Environmental risks and access to healthcare
At the end of the box canyon, a remediated pile of tailings, left over from mining days, remains a monitored environmental and health concern. There’s also the risk of wildfires in the area. Smoke-detecting periscopes scan the ridgelines, and residents are encouraged to keep to-go bags with essential documents in case of short-notice evacuations. The nearest full-service hospital is in Montrose, with airlifts available in emergencies.
