Majestic mountains, historic surroundings.
In the southwest corner of Colorado sits Telluride, where geology
did some of its best work. Fourteen thousand foot peaks melt into red-rock mesas as lush stands of evergreen and aspen watch in the awestruck silence. While it has endured growing pains on the way from booming mine camp to bustling ski town, the 12-block-by-8-block core of Telluride looks much like it did in the 1880s, with brick hotels and clapboard storefronts.
Indeed, Telluride is designated as a national Historic Landmark District, meaning that all construction must adhere to the Victorian town’s “Wild West” image and code. Meanwhile the steep walls of the glacially carved box canyon keep Telluride intimate and easy to stroll.