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CH&L's Bookworm
Some of our favorite reads about the state’s storied past
Vintage Collections
Aficionados of both wine and antiques will find that building a collection of fine bottles and accessories can be deliciously easy
New Life
From belly butters to pregnant pops, Decade provides new moms-to-be an assortment of Denver-based products
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 Telluride
Julie Bielenberg’s insider’s guide to one of Colorado’s
favorite ski towns
Telluride, once referred to as “The City of Lights,” holds fascinating distinctions aside from the first city in the world to use electric streetlights and an alternating-current power plant. The town, originally named Columbia, is home to approximately 2,300 year-round residents and draws visitors and locals alike to its downtown and ski village via an incredible arts scene, culture and one-of-a-kind boutiques. Commuting between Mountain Village and historic downtown is visitor friendly as Telluride boasts the only free public gondola transportation system in the United States.
Visitors can fly into the Telluride airport (the highest elevation for a commercial airport in North America) located a short ten-minute drive from downtown, or nearby Montrose Airport, which offers daily flights from DIA. Regardless of the season, Telluride is fantastic year round with majestic scenery, cultural events and a wealth of historic significance. Here are my picks on where to play, explore and shop. To see the full story, including where to stay and eat, see the August 2007 issue of CH&L, on newsstands now!
 Play
Hike | Walk The St. Sophia Nature Center, a stone’s throw from the top of the gondola, offers information about local walking and hiking trails. The center is free to the public, open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a scenic picnic deck to observe a bird’s-eye view of downtown Telluride. Stop by the center at 2 p.m. weekdays for the two-hour Ridge Trail interpretive hike with a local naturalist. (970) 728-7360,
tellurideskiresort.com.
Bike Rent a bicycle at any of the three Paragon Sports locations and take a leisurely ride through the Telluride Valley Floor, one of “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.” This ecological gem was given its distinction in 2000 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Residents of Telluride banded together to raise $50 million to save the formal hunting grounds of the Ute Tribe. Wildflowers abound and the highest concentration of fourteeners in the state surrounds outdoor enthusiasts on the Valley Floor. Paragon Sports 213 W. Colorado Ave., (970) 728-4525; 236 S. Oak Street (Base of Gondola), (970) 728-4581; Granita Building in Mountain Village, (970) -728-0992, paragontelluride.com.
Jeep Tours Touring the Telluride area by jeep can offer incredible views, visits to ghost towns or white-knuckle entertainment depending upon a variety of options offered by Telluride Outside. The Dunton Hot Springs route takes visitors over the Ophir Pass and through the historical Ophir mining district en route to the hot springs. Or try a tour of Last Dollar Road that passes through Ute-opia botanical gardens. The Imogene Pass trip is the second highest 4WD road in America which provides majestic views of the San Juans. For those brave enough, Black Bear Pass drops down the headwall of Telluride Valley for experienced off-roaders. Telluride Outside, (800) 831-6230, tellurideoutside.com
 Explore
Aug. 2-5 The 31st annual Telluride Jazz Celebration combines outdoor stages during the day with
theater and club shows at night. The event highlights the soul, history and future of this all-American art form. Since 1977, this event has consistently earned international accolades, bringing jazz lovers to Telluride from all over the world. (970) 728-7009, telluridejazz.org.
Aug. 16 - 19 CH&L and Telluride Mountain Village host the Telluride Festival of the Arts. Culinary
enthusiasts and fine art aficionados come together for food, art and entertainment. Highlights include celebrity chef demonstrations, food and drink seminars, a showcase dinner and grand tasting, along with a nationally juried exhibit of some of the best artists in the United States. telluridefest.com.
Aug. 31 - Sept. 2 The 33rd annual Telluride Film Festival is not just a picture show, but rather a tribute to luminaries who have pushed the medium forward. In what has become a film world tradition, three
distinguished artists will be honored with a silver medallion, one presented each night of the festival. Individual ticket prices and packages vary. (510) 665-9494, telluridefilmfestival.com.
Telluride Design Itinerary
Lustre This lamp and jewelry gallery located just off Colorado Ave. highlights local artists and incredible hand-painted glass installations for the home. 171 S. Pine, (970) 728-3355, lustregallery.com.
Sunglass Headquarters Not only does this store have a variety of shades, this building is the original San Miguel National Bank where Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch committed their first robbery. The infamous vault is still intact. 201 W. Colorado Ave., (970) 728-9199.
Colorado Home Here, home furnishings blend Colorado contemporary with a mountain twist. Also visit Forebears in Mountain Village, from the same owner, which embraces a European style. 317 E. Colorado Ave., (970) 728-8776; 620 Mountain Village Blvd., (970) 728-9494.
CashmereRed Luxurious Scottish cashmere is fabricated by emerging designers into stuffed animals and an array of sweaters and throws. The quintessential pashmina is offered in a variety of colors. 221 E. Colorado Ave., (970) 728-8088.
Between the Covers Bookstore & Espresso Bar This independent book and coffee shop holds thousands of great titles and a charming café to relax in while catching up on local history. 224 W. Colorado Ave., (970) 728-4504, between-the-covers.com.
Studio Frank Serving as an interior design office and retail showroom located off Colorado Ave., the designers and owner are delighted to entertain walk-ins to tour their studio, which embraces mountain culture with beautiful furnishings and fabrics. 495 S. Townsend St., (970) 728-0662, studiofrank.com.
Lustre |
Colorado Home |
Studio Frank |
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