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Telluride
Eden Index
Climate
6.9
•
Recreation
9.4
•
Community
•
Safeguard
6.1/10
Telluride, Colorado is a picturesque mountain town known for its stunning natural beauty and abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. Situated in the San Juan Mountains at an elevation of 8,750 feet, the town experiences a high-alpine climate with cool summers and cold winters. Summers are mild with average temperatures ranging from the 70s to low 80s°F, while winters are snowy and cold, with temperatures often dropping well below freezing.
The hydrology constituents of Telluride are dominated by the San Miguel River, which runs through the heart of town. The river offers opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, while its tributaries provide scenic hikes and waterfalls.
Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Telluride for its world-class skiing and snowboarding during the winter months. The Telluride Ski Resort boasts over 2,000 acres of skiable terrain and receives an average of 300 inches of snowfall annually. In the summer, the area transforms into a mecca for hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing, with numerous trails and peaks to explore.
Telluride also hosts a variety of festivals year-round, including the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride Film Festival, and Telluride Jazz Festival, attracting visitors from all over the world. With its stunning scenery, diverse outdoor activities, and vibrant cultural scene, Telluride offers something for everyone seeking an unforgettable mountain getaway.
What is the Eden Index?
The Snoflo Eden Index serves as a comprehensive rating system for regions, evaluating their desirability through a holistic assessment of climate health, outdoor recreation opportunities, and natural disaster risk, acknowledging the profound impact of these factors on livability and well-being.
Climate Health Indicator (CHI): 6.9
Telluride receives approximately
573mm of rain per year,
with humidity levels near 61%
and air temperatures averaging around
5°C.
Telluride has a plant hardyness factor of
5, meaning
plants and agriculture in this region thrive during a short period during spring and early summer. Most
plants will die off during the colder winter months.
By considering the ideal temperature range, reliable water supplies, clean air, and stable seasonal rain or snowpacks, the Climate Health Indicator (CHI) underscores the significance of a healthy climate as the foundation for quality living.
A healthy climate is paramount for ensuring a high quality of life and livability in a region, fostering both physical well-being and environmental harmony. This can be characterized by ideal temperatures, reliable access to water supplies, clean air, and consistent seasonal rain or snowpacks.
Weather Forecast
Streamflow Conditions
Upper Colorado-Dolores
Area Rivers
Upper Colorado-Dolores
Snowpack Depths
Upper Colorado-Dolores
Reservoir Storage Capacity
Upper Colorado-Dolores
Groundwater Levels
Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI): 9.4
The Recreational Opportunity Index (ROI) recognizes the value of outdoor recreational options, such as parks, hiking trails, camping sites, and fishing spots, while acknowledging that climate plays a pivotal role in ensuring the comfort and consistency of these experiences.
Access to outdoor recreational opportunities, encompassing activities such as parks, hiking, camping, and fishing, is crucial for overall well-being, and the climate plays a pivotal role in enabling and enhancing these experiences, ensuring that individuals can engage in nature-based activities comfortably and consistently.
Camping Areas
| Campground | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowslide | 13 | 8,856 ft | |||
| Junction Creek | 44 | 7,275 ft | |||
| Ridgway State Park | 283 | 7,062 ft | |||
| Woods Lake | 41 | 9,411 ft | |||
| Telluride Town Park | 28 | 8,771 ft | |||
| Thistledown | 9 | 8,501 ft | |||
| Sunshine | 15 | 9,589 ft | |||
| South Rim - Gunnison National Park | 88 | 8,365 ft | |||
| Matterhorn | 28 | 9,466 ft | |||
| North Rim - Gunnison National Park | 13 | 7,752 ft |
Catastrophe Safeguard Index (CSI):
The Catastrophe Safeguard Index (CSI) recognizes that natural disaster risk, encompassing floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, can drastically affect safety and the overall appeal of an area.
The level of natural disaster risk in a region significantly affects safety and the overall livability, with climate change amplifying these risks by potentially increasing the frequency and intensity of events like floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, thereby posing substantial challenges to community resilience and well-being.
Community Resilience Indicator (CRI):
The Community Resilience Indicator (CRI) recognizes that education, healthcare, and socioeconomics are crucial to the well-being of a region. The CRI acknowledges the profound impact of these elements on residents' overall quality of life. By evaluating educational resources, healthcare accessibility, and economic inclusivity, the index captures the essential aspects that contribute to a thriving community, fostering resident satisfaction, equity, and social cohesion.