Telluride

Town and administrative headquarters of San Miguel County, southwestern Colorado, in the San Juan Mountains, 145 km/90 mi southeast of Grand Junction; population (1990) 1,300. It was a mining boom town in the 19th century and became a popular skiing destination in the 20th century.

Gold and silver mining began in the mountains here in 1875 and the settlement was named after tellurium, the matrix that held the precious metals. The town had many luxurious Victorian buildings, some now preserved. The construction of resorts in 1971 and 1993 made it an attractive site for skiiers.