At the Telluride Foundation, we jump at any opportunity to gather experts and decision makers across a wide spectrum of professional fields to help our communities tackle many of the challenges they are facing. From one-day convenings to multi-year-long efforts, we provide the financial resources and expertise to help our communities thrive. For more information on any of the Foundations Convening Summits contact Elaine Demas at elaine@telluridefoundation.org

Transformational Leadership Workshop

East End Housing Forum

In July, 2023 the Foundation hosted 20 professionals who are actively building housing or working to increase access to affordable housing in the immediate Telluride region. Representatives from Town of Telluride, Town of Mountain Village, San Miguel County, TSG, and the R1 School & Hospital Districts were in attendance.

Many ideas were discussed and those in attendance are committed to continue working together towards collaborative and innovative solutions.

Climate Resiliency & National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)

On Sept, 2023 the Telluride Foundation, EcoAction Partners, and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) met with community stakeholders and members of the Sneffels Energy Board to discuss NREL’s community driven approach to climate solutions and ways to promote implementation of the San Miguel & Ouray Counties’ Climate Action Plan (CAP). The Ouray and San Miguel County CAP was completed in 2021 by EcoAction Partners and the Sneffels Energy Board and has been adopted by all eight local governments. The CAP sets the stage for the next decade of climate action across our region. Successful implementation of 21 objectives and supporting actions will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our 2010 GHG emissions baseline to the goal of a 50% reduction by 2030 and a 90% reduction by 2050.

Water, Drought & the Future of Agriculture

In Sept, 2003, the Foundation partnered with the Colorado Water Trust to host a panel discussion on water, drought, and the future of agriculture. Panelists represented ranchers from across the Western Slope, including Norwood, and provided diverse opinions on how to balance the necessity of agricultural land and producers amid decreasing water supplies, a changing climate, and development pressures.  As water supplies in the West face increasing demands, all the panelists expressed interest in innovative tools to manage and conserve water; several of the ranchers were partnering with the Colorado Water Trust, which works collaboratively with landowners to help protect their water rights while supporting healthy river flows.  Click HERE to view the video of the event

Collaboration Science-based Convenings

In the summer of 2023, Telluride Science and the Telluride Foundation partnered to bring science and innovation-based experts and speakers to the community, sparking intellectual curiosity and opportunities for continued learning.  Programming included “Fake or Fraud: How to identify the Real Deal,” “AWE: The New Science of Everyday Wonder” and “Roots so Deep.”  These events provided a unique opportunity for members of our community to learn from and be inspired by leading scientists and innovators. The curiosity and conversations sparked by interaction with global thought leaders enhances the lives and knowledge of those who participate.

Non Profit Lodging

In April 2022, the Telluride Foundation facilitated a conversation about the need for short-term lodging with the nonprofit community.  This convening resulted in a working group and the creation of the “Telluride Lodging Exchange,” an effort to fill critical lodging needs for visiting artists, musicians, instructors, and scientists.  The Lodging Exchange is a collaboration between nonprofits and property managers to match available rooms with nonprofits’ temporary lodging needs. The collaboration is hiring someone to manage a public website, where nonprofits can express their specific lodging needs and anyone, with an extra room or lodging space, can donate it for nonprofit use.

Health Care

Tri-County Health Network regularly facilitates convenings and summits across our region to ensure the conversation around health and health equity remains at the forefront for healthcare, governmental, and nonprofit professionals and interested community members. Recent events include a 2-day Behavioral Health Summit featuring a keynote address by Sue Klebold, mother of Columbine school shooter Dylan Klebold; a Community Conversation with Lisa Duran, Political Consultant and University of Colorado lecturer, about the root causes of inequities in our community; and Learning from Young People, which included a presentation by author and educator Rosalind Wiseman and a panel of local youth sharing their experiences.