Telluride Mountain Village Gondola Long-Term Plan Set Out
Originally built to improve air quality in the region by keeping cars off the road, the Gondola has been shuttling approximately 3 million visitors, residents, skiers, hikers, festival-goers and commuters per year over 10,500-foot Coonskin Ridge since 1996. It is the first and only free public transportation system of its kind in the United States.
Gondola Background and Current Planning Phase
- Built in 1996 and connects the Town of Telluride and Mountain Village
- Owned and operated by the Town of Mountain Village
- Originally constructed to improve air quality and reduce traffic impacts
- Operating agreement expires at the end of 2027
- Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association (TMVOA), Telluride Ski and Golf (Telski), the Town of Telluride, the Town of Mountain Village and San Miguel County began evaluating a long-term gondola plan in 2015.
In June 2022, the Gondola Long-Term Planning Leadership Committee – comprised of representatives from TMVOA, Telski, Telluride, Mountain Village, San Miguel County and San Miguel Authority for Regional Transit (SMART) – unanimously decided to pursue a new gondola system as the Locally Preferred Alternative.
Gondola Leadership Committee Meeting
