Telluride Realty's Monthly e-Newsletter
August 2008

As usual, summer is flying by, but not without numerous fantastic events along the way. July was highlighted by the KOTO Doo-Dah with Lez Zepplin and The Meditations in Town Park, as well as a beautiful 4^th and laid back Nothing Festival. Wildflowers also started blooming in July, as snow in the high country finally dissipated and rivers swelled with the run off. As a result, all hiking, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking and fly-fishing enthusiasts were simply over the moon.

And speaking of moons, the August full moon hits the 16^th, just in time to indulge at the Telluride Festival of the Arts…a full course eating extravaganza celebrating fine cuisine.  Other big stuff this month is the Telluride Tech Fest from the 1^st to the 3^rd celebrating the world of technology; the annual and highly competitive KOTO Duck Race on the 8^th where rubber duckies brave the mighty rapids of the San Miguel; the American Cancer Society’s Climb to Conquer Cancer on the 9^th (a walk/hike event happening on several trails in town); and of course, the 35^th annual Telluride Film Festival, which finishes off the month over Labor Day Weekend. Come check out some of the world’s hottest new films (don’t miss the free nightly screenings at the Abel Gance open air theater in Elks Park), ogle at your favorite stars, and feel the overall buzz of the cinema industry.

 

1	Telluride Cajun Festival Unique musical and culinary block party on Pine Street featuring Buckwheat Zydeco
1-3	Telluride Tech Fest Celebration of the past, present and future of technology
6	Sunset Concert Series Free open air concert featuring a variety of music; every Wednesday evening in Mountain Village
7-9, 15-16	Telluride Chamber Music Festival Chamber music concerts at Town Park and the Sheridan Opera House
8	KOTO Duck Race Buy your rubber ducky and watch it swim down the San Miguel; great prizes
9	Climb to Conquer Cancer American Cancer Society event; walk or hike the Telluride Trail, Bear Creek or River Trail
13	Sunset Concert Series Free open air concert featuring a variety of music; every Wednesday evening in Mountain Village
15	Friday Night Salsa Hour lesson followed by open dancing at the Ah Haa School
15-17	Telluride Festival of the Arts Merging of the epicurean and visual arts; celebrity chefs, food seminars, grand tasting and more
19-24	Telluride Repertory Theater A TBA musical at the Sheridan Opera House, put on by Telluride’s local theater company
20	Sunset Concert Series Free open air concert featuring a variety of music; every Wednesday evening in Mountain Village
20	Mushroom Banquet Dinner at the Telluride Conference Center; each course features a different mushroom, wine and local chef
21	Outdoor Movie Night Free movie night at Ah Haa; screening of Rivers & Tides documentary
21-24	Telluride Mushroom Festival Fungophiles around the world gather to participate in forays, lectures, dining identification and the famed Mushroom Parade
27	Sunset Concert Series Free open air concert featuring a variety of music; every Wednesday evening in Mountain Village
29-Sept.1	Telluride Film Festival Film buffs, filmmakers, and celebs gather for the world-renowned celebration of the art of film; program is riddled with world premieres and remains top secret until the weekend begins

Regional News: Cheers to Liquor on Sundays

For decades, Colorado residents and visitors have been left high and dry if seeking a six-pack, bottle of vino or fifth of hard liquor on a Sunday. Be it the Superbowl, concert in the park, bbq or dinner party, Coloradans had to think ahead in terms of closing out the weekend with some good, old-fashioned booze. But on July 6, for the first time since Prohibition, Colorado liquor stores opened their doors for business. 

The rule change was made possible by the state legislature, which in the spring passed a new law enabling liquor stores to open on Sundays. It was signed by Governor Bill Ritter.

With a seven-day liquor week, there will be more revenue for manufacturers, distributors and retailers, as well as more tax revenue for the state. The law was pushed by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, a lobbying group that estimated liquor sales would increase 4-9 percent, and that Colorado would earn roughly $6 million more in annual tax revenue.

 In Telluride, the novelty has already compelled people to buy libations they don’t even need just because it’s a Sunday. Bottle Works, one of Telluride’s three local liquor stores, estimated its sales would exceed the lobbying group’s estimates since Telluride weekends are busy with vacationers. Telluride Liquors, another of the three, claimed it was pleased to have one more day of business each week to offset monthly bills.

Sounds like it’s a win-win for drink consumers as well as drink vendors. As for the rest of the nation, 14 states still prohibit Sunday liquor sales.

In early July, ski area construction began on the new Revelation Bowl lift. Leitner-Poma of Grand Junction is building the fixed-grip quad up the east-facing swath off the back side of Gold Hill, home to the always-dreamy-looking pitch of moderately angled powder.

Due to the construction, trail 508.1B, the Wasatch Connection that links the Wasatch Trail to the ski area, is closed for the summer. Additionally, both the hiking and biking portions of See Forever (trail 415/West Drain Road) are closed. Closures are for safety reasons, according to the Telluride Ski and Golf Company. “There’s a lot of heavy equipment going up and down,” said Telski CEO Dave Riley. Hikers and bikers can still access both the Bear Creek and Wasatch trails, which remain open.

The Revelation lift will top out below the Hillary Step, at 12,570 feet, making it the highest lift-served point on the ski area. The terrain adds 50 acres and 315 vertical feet to the amount of in-bounds terrain and offers quick access to the hike-to Gold Hill Chutes 6-10. The base of the lift rests on a flat bench near the bottom of the slope. It will be protected and appropriately signed considering that below the bench is an approximate 1,500-foot drop into Bear Creek over sheer cliffs.

 Telski estimates cost for the project at about $2.2 million.

Community News: Bike is Best