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Reference.org
Telluride, Colorado
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<p>Telluride is the <a href="/facts/County_seat/ItAWPoWw">county seat</a> and most populous town of <a href="/facts/San_Miguel_County%2c_Colorado/bg9VjEI3">San Miguel County</a> in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of <a href="/facts/Colorado/IgIHrJI5">Colorado</a>. The town is a former <a href="/facts/Silver_mining/CVSTm9Go">silver mining</a> camp on the <a href="/facts/San_Miguel_River_(Colorado)/Lmp8TBwX">San Miguel River</a> in the western <a href="/facts/San_Juan_Mountains/hgnIfn6w">San Juan Mountains</a>. The first gold mining claim was made in the mountains above Telluride in 1875, and early settlement of what is now Telluride followed. The town was founded in 1878. </p><p>Telluride sits in a <a href="/facts/Canyon/YspSIEz3">box canyon</a>. Steep forested mountains and cliffs surround it, with <a href="/facts/Bridal_Veil_Falls_(Telluride)/2SXkunoD">Bridal Veil Falls</a> situated at the canyon's head. Numerous weathered ruins of old mining operations dot the hillsides. A free <a href="/facts/Gondola_lift/8GX8hm9G">gondola</a> connects the town with its companion town, <a href="/facts/Mountain_Village%2c_Colorado/JeRCQoJG">Mountain Village</a>, at the base of the ski area. Telluride and the surrounding area have featured prominently in popular culture, and it is the subject of several popular songs. It is especially known for its <a href="/facts/Ski_resort/UjGEmc3S">ski resort</a> and slopes during the winter, as well as an extensive festival schedule during the summer, including the Hot Air Balloon Festival, which traditionally occurs the first weekend in June. </p><p>The <a href="/facts/Telluride_Historic_District/CSg0jYtx">Telluride Historic District</a>, which includes a significant portion of the town, is listed on the <a href="/facts/National_Register_of_Historic_Places/leUNvfW6">National Register of Historic Places</a> and is also one of <a href="/facts/List_of_National_Historic_Landmarks_in_Colorado/e0woJHJV">Colorado's 20 National Historic Landmarks</a>. The town population was 2,607 in the <a href="/facts/2020_United_States_census/dTEm5TRr">2020 United States census</a>. </p>